GTRacing Music Series Review
Our Verdict
Compare to Similar Products
This Product GTRacing Music Series | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Awards | Best Bang for the Buck | Best on A Tight Budget | |||
Price | $230 List $129.99 at Amazon | $300 List $249.99 at Amazon | $300 List $249.99 at Amazon | $190 List $89.99 at Amazon | $160 List $82.99 at Amazon |
Overall Score | |||||
Star Rating | |||||
Bottom Line | This model ticks most of the boxes without breaking the bank | A versatile gaming chair with great value, function, and form for those who don't want to spend an arm and a leg to have their arms and legs decently supported | Large lumbar support that some will like and others will not in a gaming chair lacking in the adjustability department | A great chair on a tight budget, but even a lumbar massager and footrest may leaving you wanting more | A low-priced chair with corresponding low performance |
Rating Categories | GTRacing Music Series | Dowinx Retro Series... | AutoFull C3 | GTPlayer GT800A Foo... | BestOffice High-Bac... |
Comfort (55%) | |||||
Adjustability (35%) | |||||
Setup (10%) | |||||
Specs | GTRacing Music Series | Dowinx Retro Series... | AutoFull C3 | GTPlayer GT800A Foo... | BestOffice High-Bac... |
Comfort Hours | 5.0 hours | 6.0 hours | 6.0 hours | 5.0 hours | 3.5 hours |
Manufacturer Weight Limit | 330 lbs | 350 lbs | 350 lbs | 250 lbs | 250 lbs |
Measured Points of Adjustment | 5 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 2 |
Adjustable Lumbar Support | Memory foam pillow Raise/Lower |
Foam pillow Raise/Lower |
Large Memory foam pillow | Foam pillow Raise/Lower |
Foam pillow Raise/Lower |
Measured Recline Angle | 155º | 180º | 160º | 135º | 90º |
Adjustable Armrest | 2D: Swivel, Up/Down | 4D | 2D: Swivel, Up/Down | None | None |
Manufacturer Height Limit | 6'2" | 5'3"-6'1" | 5'4"-6'6" | 6'3" | Not Mentioned |
Recline Lever | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
Foot Rest | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
Tension Knob | No | Yes | No | No | Yes |
Tilt Lock | No | No | No | No | No |
Fabric Type | PU Leather | PU Leather | Faux Leather | PU Leather | PU Leather |
Our Analysis and Test Results
For gamers who prioritize comfort, adjustability, and style, but have a more modest budget to work with, the GTRacing Music Series gaming chair is an excellent choice. It provides adequate comfort and adjustability for a wide range of gaming needs, although not as much as the most premium models, it also costs significantly less. Its robust build and thoughtful design provide lasting comfort and support, even during extended gaming sessions, and built-in speakers create an exceptionally immersive gaming experience for those who want to skip a head set.
Performance Comparison
Comfort
In our first and most major test metric, we focused on comfort, which is crucial when it comes to gaming chairs. Comfort played a significant role in determining this model's overall score, 55 percent, and our test team conducted a thorough assessment of individual components as well as an overall perspective on comfort, to generate a score for each model tested. The GTRacing Music Series received mostly positive feedback from our test team, scoring well in comfort, a little behind the top two most premium models.
We began by testing seat comfort, finding that the GTRacing Music Series was only about average in terms of seat comfort, due to its overly soft and spongy cushioning. Our expert test team believes the seat cushioning would be best suited to smaller lighter gamers, rather than larger heavier ones.
Our team had similar criticisms about the backrest, as we did the seat comfort of this model. An overly soft backrest, combined with a lumbar pillow and padded headrest pillow that migrate out of the ideal position, make the comfort achieved after adjustments short-lasting and require you to readjust for comfort with more frequency than you'd like.
Armrests are a little firm on this chair, and the design of the chair has them set rather wide. Unfortunately, taller gamers might not find that these armrests are high enough to achieve optimal comfort while PC gaming, but the wide-set arms might be great for console gamers.
After lots of evaluation, rating and collaboration, our test team members determined the GTRacing Music Series offers adequate comfort for up to 5 hours of gaming, making it a decent choice for those who tend to spend extended periods gaming.
Adjustability
Our second major test metric assessed the all-around adjustability of the GTRacing Music Series compared to other gaming chairs. We examined things like reclining positions and adjustability of the seat, armrests, lumbar support, and backrest. This test metric accounts for 35% of each chair's overall score.
This model has an okay range of seat height adjustability. However, while it can get impressively low, it lacks the peak height adjustability of some of the top models we tested.
The GTRacing Music Series backrest provides 155 degrees of reclining range, which is more than plenty for most gaming, but the incline is great for watching movies, or taking a quick nap with the foot rest extended.
Lumbar support on the backrest is a simple pillow that can be tensioned to sit in a higher or lower lumbar position, but lumbar tension can not be adjusted. We found the set adjustment requires more frequent re-adjustment than we'd like with the pillow and tension strap design. With no pressure adjustability, a lumbar pillow like this may also be a little much for those who don't like such an aggressive lumbar pressure.
Armrests on this model can be adjusted up and down, and can also pivot, but lack width adjustments, and can not be moved forwards or backwards. Taller gamers might find the lack of peak height adjustment to be inadequate.
Built-in speakers are incorporated into the backrest of the 'Music Series' line of chairs from GTRacing. They can be charged via a usb cable and have wireless bluetooth connectivity to about 15 feet. They are not a replacement for surround sound, but offers gamers a value additive feature that allows them to ditch a headset once in a while.
The reclining range is quite good on the GTRacing Music Series. In combination with a supportive design, lumbar pillow, and headrest pillow, this model does a fair job at helping gamers get their ideal gaming position, or office desk working position, but doesn't offer as much adjustability as the most premium models do and doesn't achieve quite as good a gaming position as those models.
Another adjustability issue our team felt was worth mentioning is the lack of smooth caster rolling and better ensurance that the casters won't seize during operation. During testing, we experienced casters locking like a roller skate brake and nearly dumping our testers out of chairs while rolling around hard surfaces. While gliding around in a gaming chair isn't the intended or recommended use, it is worth knowing that this model won't glide as well as others.
Setup
The assembly process for the GTRacing Music Series isn't too difficult, but you should anticipate spending a little more than 30 minutes to take this chair from a box of parts to a usable chair. The chair arrives well-organized and ready to assemble with clear diagrams that make the process easy, even for those with limited mechanical skills.
Should You Buy the GTRacing Music Series?
As a budget friendly option, the GTRacing Music Series offers a respectable level of comfort and a wide range of adjustability to suit most gaming scenarios. It doesn't cut corners or compromise much to achieve a lower price point than much more expensive and more premium models, but it also does not offer the same level of comfort or adjustability. It is a great option for those who are looking at making a small investment toward enhancing their comfort and creating a more comfortable and immersive gaming experience than a typical desk chair.
What Other Office Chairs Should You Consider?
The GTRacing Music Series is a great budget sensitive option in the world of gaming chairs, but for the best gaming chair, you need to take a look at the rather exceptional Razer Iskur V2. For nearly the same level of comfort, you can look to its cousin, the GTPlayer GT800A Footrest, which helps save you a few bucks, but you'll also see a reduction in adjustability. Either option is a great choice for long gaming sessions, so long as they are within your budget. However, if your budget is extra tight but you are still determined to elevate your gaming experience with a new gaming chair, check out the GTPlayer GT800A Footrest. It ticks most of the boxes we'd like to see at an exceptionally affordable price, and is worth your consideration.