I should mention that all prices were in Canadian dollars.

I originally posted this to Joel On Software regarding the differences between the Aeron and Mirra. In case you don't want to read it, here's my sum up: The Mirra is more comfortable than the Aeron and didn't goose me when I leaned back.

-- Original Post --
My current chair, which has served me well for 4 years, and given me a place to uncomfortably perch for the last 1 is finally at that point in the lifecycle where you need to take it out back an pump a few bullets into it's back support.

So, while I continue to sit on the soon-to-be carcass (and scrape my arms on the exposed metal), I needed to decide what chair I'm going to replace it with. I went down the the nearest Herman Miller showroom to try out the infamous Aeron as well as the newer Mirra model.

Now, I'm not a small guy. I'm not fat, but I'm 6'4 and weigh about 255. I sat on the Aeron for the first time and it felt great. Fantastic. I leaned back a little bit, and it felt smooth and then I leaned back all the way.

Goosed.

I totally was not expecting this at all. The sales guy (who was about 5" shorter and 20 pounds heavier) said that on his Aeron he uses the tilt limiter to avoid that problem. I tried it, and in order to ensure no ass-to-whatever contact, I was only able to lean back about 40% of the way that a smaller person would be able to. So while sitting up it was nice, leaning back was less enjoyable, especially for a chair that runs CDN$1500 once you factor in the taxes and delivery and so on.

Then, I sat in the Mirra. Before doing anythinge else, I leaned back to check for ass contact. There was none. The trip back was also smoother than the Aeron. The seat is a similar material as the Aeron, allowing for a cooler seat during long work periods. The back is made of a flexible plastic material that gives more than the Aeron's frame does when I rotate my body (like, say, when my GF comes in to ask me a question!)

There is, of course, some ego to include here. I want the best chair I can, and money really isn't an object. The Aeron is the "high end' chair, and the Mirra is the "mid-to high end" chair. The Aeron is more expensive, and given that it's from the same company, that usually means it's better. However, I must say that after spending about 20 minutes in the Aeron and 30 or so in the Mirra, I way, way prefer the Mirra. I like the colour and design better, I like the fit better, I like the absence of ass contact better, everything. Even the price is better: $1150 fully loaded with tax and everything.

So, I ordered one, in a nice, light yellow (citron) colour. Now, I just need to suffer for 8 more weeks until it comes to my home. :-)

Edited by author 07-04-2003 02:04 AM
While I'm interested in the chair, The name "Mirra" belongs to a person I can not stand. And whenever you say her name, she seems to appear, so I can not get this chair.

a) I wish I could afford to consider $640 an austere purchase
b) I don't think there is a better looking car on the road than the Audi TT Quattro. And it's Porsche. The last Porsche I liked the looks of was the 928.

A $640 chair is austere? Only in comparison to something like the Aeron. For a lot of us, "austere" seating means one of those fold-up camping chairs.

The only thing worse than a chair with attitude is one of those hoity-toity urinals.

The Audi TT looks like the bastard child a Porche's parents made her put up for adoption after her fling with a VW Bug. It's got neither the class of its mom, nor the cuteness of its dad.

Frankly, I think they're sort of ugly. Well, that is not really fair - every office chair I have ever seen is ugly, and this looks better than most. But it just doesn't appeal to me visually as much as the Aeron. It's kind of like seeing a New Beetle after an Audi TT :)
I think if I was spending this much anyway, I'd save up a little more for an Aeron. Or pick up one pre-owned at "dot bomb" prices.

Cory, thanks for the pick up on the new Mirra. To clarify the price discussion, retail price for Mirra is about 15-20% less than Aeron. Mirra w/ all options is $699, and about $520 in basic configuration. Aeron w/ all options is $849, and I think high 500's in basic form. These are all MSRP--anyone buying in any quantity for their organization would find further discounts from local contract furniture dealer, depending on volume. As to buying used, an available choice but keep in mind the 12 year, "bumper-to-bumper" warranty (immodestly, best in industry--on all Miller work chairs) is only applicable to the original buyer. And you need to determine what level of options are on the used chair you're looking at. Sorry for the commercial message, but hoped to settle any confusion.

Austere Aeron ==> Austereon?

Wow, you only save $150 and lose the suspended pellicle fabric on the back? With even B and C sized chairs selling for under $599 on ebay, the Mirra isn't very attractive for over $400 tops.

Saying the Mirra "half as much" as an Aeron is a wild understatement of the price, Cory. The starting price on the Mirra is $640, the starting price on an Aeron is $800, and for a while I've been seeing them for $700 in no short supply.