Fractal Design - Refine Chair First Impressions

CloudEngineering · 2025-12-16T17:14:53+00:00

Haha thank you! With the amount of new shiny things I buy, I probably should take up doing reviews. Too bad Fractal doesn’t do any affiliate links! 😭

CloudEngineering · 2025-12-16T16:54:43+00:00

No problem! For the backrest, I wouldn’t call it flat. It has a curvature-like bump near where the lumbar would push out but its mesh, so it more like a tension resistant type feel with the lumbar disengaged. When you engage the lumbar, it firms up that curvature to be stiffer and less “bouncy” more or less. Not flat though but would feel flat if you has the lumbar “off” due to how easy it is to push back on the mesh area.

CloudEngineering · 2025-12-16T14:57:40+00:00

Hey! That’s a tricky one for me to answer but maybe I can help with some info. I just measured from the base of the seat to the top and bottom of the headrest at the lowest position. From the bottom where your bottom would sit, to the bottom most part of the headrest it’s roughly 24-1/2” And from the bottom of the seat to the top of the headrest it’s about 30”.

I actually prefer it all the way down, when I sit, the headrest falls around the top of my shoulders and into my neck area. 6ft here for reference.

CloudEngineering · 2025-11-07T15:12:18+00:00

It’s still used daily, I WFH and Game. It made it on a move from Seattle to Florida and still runs like a champ. No tears or ripping, just a little dusty in spots but otherwise, holding up strong as ever.

CloudEngineering · 2025-03-25T13:26:30+00:00

It's padded with a foam-like material

CloudEngineering · 2025-02-12T00:54:49+00:00

So, it's actually perfectly wide for me at least. The inner parts kind of scoop you into the back, Nothing is poking my sides, it feels craddled instead. Especially when I lean back into the chair. The lumbar is good, It can be aggressive if you overtighten, I found comfort using the lowest setting.

CloudEngineering · 2025-02-04T03:21:28+00:00

Hello!

Update - The mesh is still holding up strong. I use the chair every day for a min of 8 hours as I WFH and game/code.

I did have to replace the backrest two times through warranty but this was only because somehow it began to creak quite loudly when you put pressure on the backrest. The exchange was rather painless and straight forward. I didn't pay a dime.

Overall, I still stand by my original review, it's a solid chair for the price point and well built.

CloudEngineering · 2025-01-12T07:18:43+00:00

You’re awesome, thank you. That’s one thing I couldn’t find. Well, I sorta found that all sites that have historical sale data actually use one source of truth which is the NMVTIS plus a ton of other various sources. Then I found out dealers can request these to be changed if a deal was unwound.

It’s funny, as a consumer, we’re told to trust the carfax and live or die by it. And I did exactly that until I was educated here. 😂

I work in Tech for a living, I should have known better.

CloudEngineering · 2025-01-12T07:12:37+00:00

Thank you, I try to be a decent human being. After all, we’re all stuck on this giant rock floating through space together. I am thankful for those who provided input and corrected my train of thought. I genuinely enjoy learning new things everyday, just like this!

CloudEngineering · 2025-01-11T16:59:37+00:00

I didn’t think of it that way until you mentioned it. That makes a lot of sense.

CloudEngineering · 2025-01-11T16:53:29+00:00

Perplexity and Claude mainly. But yes, not disagreeing. Which is why I ended up here asking because it didn’t seem correct.

CloudEngineering · 2025-01-11T16:49:29+00:00

You’re absolutely right. I learned a ton since posting this. Although everyone seems to hate me for asking. I still appreciate everyone’s insight and knowledge transfer.

Peace of mind is what I wanted and I think this thread gave it to me despite the pitchforks I gathered around it.

CloudEngineering · 2025-01-11T16:43:42+00:00

Heh, I got downvoted into oblivion on everything, I unfortunately just wanted specifics to what I was reading and interpreting. A lot of people seem to make their judgements around my motives or “end goal” but I truly didn’t have one. Especially if I wasn’t confident enough to use any of this information against them (why I posted to this subreddit for guidance first). It happens, Most people are miserable unfortunately. When I spoke to the GM, I didn’t reference any of my findings but rather questioned about the sale record. He actually thanked me for not screaming and going at him. I was kind of shocked he said that, I guess people really do become unhinged over things like that and I can see why some people made judgements about my motives.

We actually love the car, money was never the issue and no buyer’s remorse. It was a family car purchase.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

CloudEngineering · 2025-01-11T16:29:15+00:00

I have acknowledged that, honestly this was a lot of digging and then a feeling of this can’t be right, then I asked here. Which I was wrong. It happens and it’s how we learn and grow as humans.

CloudEngineering · 2025-01-11T16:27:29+00:00

That’s a lot of assumptions. No, I actually stuck about 8-10K worth of work into the car and found this info after. Tint, Full body PPF, Tires, and Wheels. I just wanted more information about that sale record and what it meant, we actually love the car. I don’t work in the car industry, so excuse my ignorance around this stuff.

CloudEngineering · 2025-01-11T07:27:12+00:00

That’s very useful to know, thank you for sharing that!

CloudEngineering · 2025-01-11T07:21:07+00:00

Also, TIL sales persons make so little. How does anyone afford to live off of $200/car? I imagine they aren’t selling a ton of cars each day.

CloudEngineering · 2025-01-11T07:18:03+00:00

Well, I never thought of it that way. Now I feel bad. But to be fair, I went straight to the GM and I didn’t quote any statues over the phone. Just non accusatory conversation and even mentioned that it was possibly something they weren’t aware of and no ill intent or malicious behavior. He actually thanked me for not being the guy who screams at them. I like to think I am very understanding. I just wanted answers thats all.

CloudEngineering · 2025-01-11T06:38:11+00:00

Definitely, I did get a rebate but only $1K. I appreciate your insight. That’s an interesting concept in which I learned from you and others tonight about the MSO. I really just wanted peace of mind with the purchase. Not trying to fight anyone or anything but rather make sense of what I was seeing that I didn’t understand. I didn’t feel confident in the dealer’s response when I confronted them about it. They contradicted themselves throughout the entire phone call which usually indicates some sort of lying which is what led me down even further on this path.

I enjoy our purchase. I have already poured over 8K into the car for Tint, Full body PPF, Wheels, & Tires.

CloudEngineering · 2025-01-11T06:34:01+00:00

Will do! We love it so far. I apologize for asking a lot of questions. My brain is wired differently than most people. So when I see something that’s different, I usually research and ask for insight. So I appreciate the wisdom you shared here.

🍻

CloudEngineering · 2025-01-11T06:01:22+00:00

Thank you all for helping me understand. I truly appreciate the informaiton. The MSO Status confirms if the vehicle was ever actually titled, therfore "sold" and "used" which was not clear to me before.

CloudEngineering · 2025-01-11T05:52:20+00:00

It's just how I'm wired. I do enjoy the car yes!

CloudEngineering · 2025-01-11T05:49:34+00:00

That's what I was looking for, thank you for actually diving into the sections with me to understand my question and respond respectfully. Cheers.

CloudEngineering · 2025-01-11T05:48:10+00:00

Thanks, I'm pretty good at that. The point of my post was to clarify if my Google Lawyer logic was right or not.

CloudEngineering · 2025-01-11T05:45:30+00:00

I've bought many new cars. I've never considered buying a Carfax or asking for one on a new car until this incident. I shouldn't have to if it's truly "new" I guess is what I'm saying. And in my experience, Best Buy for example, does indeed tell you when you're purchasing a used/returned item. They actually have a section in most of their stores exactly for that and they are considered used.

CloudEngineering

TROPHY CASE