NO official surveys have been done, but we are convinced the Poang, from Swedish furniture giant IKEA, must be one of the most used chairs in audiophiles’ listening rooms worldwide. However, this long-lived world-famous chair doesn’t, and doesn’t pretend to, play an active role in the quality of one’s hifi listening experience. The Swedes’ neighbours, the Danes, noticed this, and have planned to outdo their Scandinavian rivals.
Gamut Audio recently showed what is claimed to be the world’s first hi-fi listening chair. The chair is designed to control the sound reflections that reach one’s ears, allowing one to hear a more precise and natural soundstage. Specifically, it shields the ear from reflections emanating from behind the listening position, while at the same time preventing the sound from reflecting on the forward-facing areas of the headrest that flank the listener’s head.
Based on a Danish design classic, the chair’s striking shape will ring a bell in design aficionados – the Lobster Chair is the creation of iconic Danish designers Lund and Paarmann, and is manufactured by high-end furniture maker Kvist Industries.
In collaboration with Kvist, Gamut has developed a unique variation, tailored specifically for audiophiles. It incorporates special acoustic dampening material, carefully positioned to improve the listening experience, while maintaining the original Lobster Chair’s breathtaking beauty and luxurious comfort.
The Gamut hi-fi Lobster Chair is available now, with a choice of red or black acoustical headrest fabric, priced at £3,150; its matching footrest costs £1,500.
Sofa, so good? If you find yourself needing to know more, go on over to the Gamut site.
