rsh
10-09-07, 02:09 PM
Folks,
Here is my report from the Market in High Point, NC where I spent some time in the Berkline show room. Please understand that I am only sharing my opinion here…
First, some of the current groups 073, 194, 45009 and 45010 are being discontinued. You can still order them until end of this year, but after that they are going to be dropped.
Here is a little review of new groups I was able to see and try at the market.
Domestic groups (I was able to take some pictures)
45015
http://www.rtheaters.com/berkline/market/45015.jpg
This group has C-MAX bucket cushion with about 43” high back. While I am not a big fan of rounded armrests, this chair felt quite comfortable, and I liked it. These are about the same width as the 090s in straight configuration, but the curved configuration they are quite wider. I am not sure why the Berkline decided to make such wide wedges, but they did.
45016
http://www.rtheaters.com/berkline/market/45016.jpg
This group also has C-MAX bucket cushion with about 42” high back. The back was quite comfortable, and the seat was soft and cushy. It has a puffy look, and if you are after a firmer seating this may not be the best chair. But if you like soft seating with very cushy feel to it, this is a great recliner. It was extremely comfortable. As a bonus, it comes with two level storage compartments in the armrests. The articulated back provides a nice head support.
45018
http://www.rtheaters.com/berkline/market/45018.jpg
I did not like this one at all. The armrests were too high; the back did not feel comfortable and did not provide me with a great head support. Similarly to the 45013 these come with the blue rope light under the chair. The light can be controlled by the switch installed on the armrest of one of the chairs.
The Berkline is still working on the switch for the lighted cup holder. They told me it would be in production by next spring. Each cup holder will have its own on/off button that will control the light.
Non-domestic groups:
13134
http://www.rtheaters.com/berkline/market/13134.jpg
This one did not do anything for me at all. It is basically the 13084 with the slightly modified shape of the back. I did not like the 13084, and I did not like the 13134 either. It felt awkward and not comfortable at all.
13174
http://www.rtheaters.com/berkline/market/13174.jpg
This is basically the 090. It did not seat as quite well as the 090, but it was OK for me. It is still a good chair with very attractive pricing. It was much better than 13134 IMHO. I guess the reason this group was just OK for me was the fact that these were manual recliners, and I personally not a big fan of Leggett and Platt mechanism. The power recline version would have been much, much better.
13175
http://www.rtheaters.com/berkline/market/13175.jpg
This would be my pick out of all new groups this time. The similar back to the 078s was extremely comfortable. These chairs are great alternative to small 088s or 086s. It has similar (just slightly wider) footprint, but with the 42” high back. The only thing I did not like – it was a comfort rest and not a chaise design. Nevertheless it sat very well. It had great head support especially in the reclining position, and it felt right. The power recline was perfect and the controls were on the sides of the armrests, and that is what I personally prefer.
What I did like on non-domestic groups:
1. They use quite nice mid grade leather similar to 7077 (group 3 leather). I was actually surprised how well it felt.
2. They have power recline option, which is A MUST, and work as well as on their domestic groups (they use same components).
3. These chairs will be quite affordable.
What I did not like on non-domestic groups:
1. They use Leggett and Platt mechanism, and it is hard to change the positions on the manual recliners. Thank God they have a power recline option!!!
2. Most of the recliners (except for the 13175) were nothing special. I either did not like them (13084, 13134) or they were just OK (13174).
3. None of the non-domestic groups have C-MAX cushion (not a deal breaker).
Here is my report from the Market in High Point, NC where I spent some time in the Berkline show room. Please understand that I am only sharing my opinion here…
First, some of the current groups 073, 194, 45009 and 45010 are being discontinued. You can still order them until end of this year, but after that they are going to be dropped.
Here is a little review of new groups I was able to see and try at the market.
Domestic groups (I was able to take some pictures)
45015
http://www.rtheaters.com/berkline/market/45015.jpg
This group has C-MAX bucket cushion with about 43” high back. While I am not a big fan of rounded armrests, this chair felt quite comfortable, and I liked it. These are about the same width as the 090s in straight configuration, but the curved configuration they are quite wider. I am not sure why the Berkline decided to make such wide wedges, but they did.
45016
http://www.rtheaters.com/berkline/market/45016.jpg
This group also has C-MAX bucket cushion with about 42” high back. The back was quite comfortable, and the seat was soft and cushy. It has a puffy look, and if you are after a firmer seating this may not be the best chair. But if you like soft seating with very cushy feel to it, this is a great recliner. It was extremely comfortable. As a bonus, it comes with two level storage compartments in the armrests. The articulated back provides a nice head support.
45018
http://www.rtheaters.com/berkline/market/45018.jpg
I did not like this one at all. The armrests were too high; the back did not feel comfortable and did not provide me with a great head support. Similarly to the 45013 these come with the blue rope light under the chair. The light can be controlled by the switch installed on the armrest of one of the chairs.
The Berkline is still working on the switch for the lighted cup holder. They told me it would be in production by next spring. Each cup holder will have its own on/off button that will control the light.
Non-domestic groups:
13134
http://www.rtheaters.com/berkline/market/13134.jpg
This one did not do anything for me at all. It is basically the 13084 with the slightly modified shape of the back. I did not like the 13084, and I did not like the 13134 either. It felt awkward and not comfortable at all.
13174
http://www.rtheaters.com/berkline/market/13174.jpg
This is basically the 090. It did not seat as quite well as the 090, but it was OK for me. It is still a good chair with very attractive pricing. It was much better than 13134 IMHO. I guess the reason this group was just OK for me was the fact that these were manual recliners, and I personally not a big fan of Leggett and Platt mechanism. The power recline version would have been much, much better.
13175
http://www.rtheaters.com/berkline/market/13175.jpg
This would be my pick out of all new groups this time. The similar back to the 078s was extremely comfortable. These chairs are great alternative to small 088s or 086s. It has similar (just slightly wider) footprint, but with the 42” high back. The only thing I did not like – it was a comfort rest and not a chaise design. Nevertheless it sat very well. It had great head support especially in the reclining position, and it felt right. The power recline was perfect and the controls were on the sides of the armrests, and that is what I personally prefer.
What I did like on non-domestic groups:
1. They use quite nice mid grade leather similar to 7077 (group 3 leather). I was actually surprised how well it felt.
2. They have power recline option, which is A MUST, and work as well as on their domestic groups (they use same components).
3. These chairs will be quite affordable.
What I did not like on non-domestic groups:
1. They use Leggett and Platt mechanism, and it is hard to change the positions on the manual recliners. Thank God they have a power recline option!!!
2. Most of the recliners (except for the 13175) were nothing special. I either did not like them (13084, 13134) or they were just OK (13174).
3. None of the non-domestic groups have C-MAX cushion (not a deal breaker).