What’s the most overlooked, but important person piece of gear in the studio? No, it’s not that bloated list of software synths and plugins in your computer. It’s not the SSL Bus Processor you’ve been drooling over thats patiently waiting in your shopping cart for the past year. It’s not even the sound treatment you have plastered on your walls (although that one is probably the most important for your mix.) While we focus on what’s between your speakers and ears most of the time, we forget about what’s under your legs and back. So, today we’re going to convince you to divert just a little bit of funds from your crippling gear addiction over to replacing out that lawn chair currently sitting in front of your 10,000$ speakers. Today, we look at the ProtoArc EC100 Chair.
Where Do I Know the Name ProtoArc?
ProtoArc makes just about any type of keyboard and mouse imaginable. From travel combos to mechanical gaming keyboards, they’ve got you covered. Recently, they’ve started moving further into the office space with premium workspace and furniture offerings like laptop stands, chairs, and adjustable desks.
I’m sure the EM01 Trackball has been peppered in various photos on our website or socials because I own several – one stays in the studio, one is at the office, and the other stays in my go bag for travel. I came across ProtoArc around 2022 when they first started selling in the US. I wasn’t crazy about my Logitech MX Trackball and wanted to try out something different. Here’s hoping in the future, they can release a keyboard that will replace all three of my MX Keys.
For this review, I actually reached out to them personally. Because I love the quality of the EM01 Trackball over the Logitech, I figured their newly-designed chair would be no different. ProtoArc kindly obliged and sent one over for us to run through its paces and see if it can knock my current chair out of the studio and into the wife’s craft room.
The Title Holder
My current chair is a WorkPro Quantum 900. This is a full mesh mid-back chair clocking in at $349.99. I bought this at the suggestion of one of my chiropractor friends. Those painfully long vocal editing sessions were starting to really put some miles on my lower back (the artist promised they would need minimal correction… they lied.) As far as comfort goes, its a great chair, but I’m always game for an upgrade in the ergonomics department.
The Contender
Showing up in a nice box, we have the ProtoArc EC100. This is the company’s first foray into into office chairs, promising budget-friendly pricing without sacrificing high-end quality and materials. Opening up the box shows that in spades.
After being greeted with a welcome letter from the designer in the box, you clearly see they’ve put a lot of thought into the creation of the chair. Each component feels sturdy and made of premium materials. Case in point, the assembled base of the chair.
Chair bases over double the price of the EC100 come with plastic bases. Even my WorkPro chair sports a plastic base. Not the EC100, it comes with an wide steel base, offering a very sturdy foundation for the chair.
Moving up the base, we have what I would consider the most important piece of the entire chair – the seat. This wide, saddle-shaped design incorporates 20 coil springs and nearly 4 inches of foam to relieve pressure on the hips, and give you the support you need in all the right places (well, except for moral support when your mixes fail the “car test”.)
The full-mesh back features an adjustable head rest along with adaptable lumbar support. This design touts reduced pressure of up to 50% compared to integrated lumbar support of other chairs. As a result, the lumbar support is not adjustable due to the design of the back.
Putting It All Together
Assembly could not have been easier with all parts clearly labeled and instructions straightforward. I had the whole thing unpacked and put together in under 30 minutes. All tools needed were in the box so you’re all set to build from the jump.
What I Like
The build quality is solid. When you initially sit down, it’s apparent that premium materials were used. I’m usually more of a fan of mesh bottom seats due to the breathability but whatever material and foam they used on this seat didn’t only keep me from getting the ole “hot legs”, they actually stayed cool.
The support on the seat cushion is far better than any I’ve sat in. Other cushion bottom chairs aren’t great for longer sessions. Either the cushion collapses under the constant pressure or it’s too firm and your butt goes numb. ProtoArc has dialed in the memory foam on the seat. You don’t sink too far in, but the foam does form to your shape. Even on longer sessions my hips and tailbone had no aches.
What Could Be Improved
My only legitimate complaint may only be specific to me. While the back only tilts on the EC100, I wish I had more options like my WorkPro. I can choose to tilt the entire chair or just the back. My only other improvement is pretty specific to recording. I wish the arm rests could flip up out of the way so I could track guitars.
Overall Thoughts
The EC100 worth every penny, if not more than its $189.00 price point. It is by far the most comfortable padded mesh-back chair I’ve sat in and very easily relegated my WorkPro chair to the craft room. I’m able to sit for longer periods without feeling strain in my hips or lower back.
If you’re shifting around in your current studio’s folding chair or even considering upgrading an existing office chair, this would be the time to do so, but if you have a little patience and like gadgets, I would possibly wait just a little longer and pick up what I can only assume is the Ferrari of office chairs, the Arc Protector Smart Chair. It ain’t cheap but if you’re spending money on what I think you are in software plugins every year, you’ll be fine.
- Cushion stays cool due to breathability
- Sturdy design
- For recording guitars, I wish the arms would flip up and out of the way
For more information on the EC100 visit https://www.protoarc.com/collections/furniture/products/ec100-ergonomic-chair?variant=41775564456025
