It’s pretty funny to see people’s reactions when they come face to face with the LumiSource Boomchair Shark gaming chair. Non-gamers immediately exclaim, “Wow, is that some sort of fancy schmancy massage chair!?”; gamers mutter in envious disdain, “You geek, I can’t believe you actually spent money on THAT! Can I try it?”; while marine biologists retort, “You fool, that’s not a shark!” Yup, interesting responses, but after they’ve actually tried it, all agree that the Boomchair Shark is a comfortable, sweet-looking chair with pretty cool multimedia features. Check out our rumble seat review if you want a chair that makes your experience more immersive. We shall explore this further. If you can spring for something a bit more expensive, take a look at our Playseat’s F1 Redbull racing seat review (it does nothing and costs $1,300) too.
Key features at a glance:
- Contoured shape ensures correct posture
- Adjustable headrest
- Built-in 3″ dual speakers, 4″ subwoofer
- Audio input/output
- Headphone jack
- Vibrating “rumble” feature
- Color LED that flashes in sync with the sound
- Sleek, hammerhead shark-shaped design
- Daisy chainable
The chair, at first glance, is striking in design, featuring an aggressive-looking hammerhead shape outlined in black, red, and metallic-grey accents. It’s made of a durable, synthetic fabric that’s all but waterproof–you might get away with spilling a drink, but please don’t take the shark for a swim. The twin 3″ side speakers and 4″ subwoofer, with adjustable volume and vibration controls, are embedded in the base of the chair and slanted toward the user. A sound-responsive color LED light and a built-in interactive vibrating motor round out the multimedia features.
So how does it perform? In terms of comfort, it really can’t be beat. During my usual gaming sessions, I’m so entranced by the game that I don’t remember whether I’m slouching, leaning back, or standing on my head, to be honest. Whatever the case may be, my back is pretty much turned to mush by the time my wife pries the controller out of my weary hands.
If you’d like to see more great floor gaming chairs like this, you’ll want to read our Giantex gaming chair review and our Cohesion XP 2.1 gaming chair review.
Playing with the Boomchair is an entirely different story, however. If it’s possible, I’m even more engrossed in the game thanks to the explosions pumping through the directional built-in speakers and the sensory feedback rumbling from the vibrating motor. And the best part? Even after several hours, the ol’ back feels like I just got out of a $45/hour Thai massage. Exaggeration? Perhaps, but my back never felt better after a gaming session.
However, if you don’t need a massage but ergonomic seating, you’ll want to read our Ficmax Ergonomic gaming chair review.
Well, that’s what I like about the chair. It’s time to rant. First off, with a name like the “BOOMchair SHARK!” one would expect a crankin’ beast of a sound system, right? Well, not exactly. It’s more of a “squeakchair sardine” when it comes to volume. Even at full blast, the speakers are not that loud. That’s not to say the speakers are poor in quality, as the sound never distorts, but they could use a little more ‘oomph.’ To be fair, I don’t believe the audio features were designed to be a standalone solution but rather a complement to a bigger surround sound system; so, in that role, it fulfills its purpose quite nicely. Check out our Ace Bayou x rocker gaming chair review or our X Rocker Surge review for more rocker-style chairs with speakers to compare.
At the end of the day, would I use this chair for my daily gaming activities? That would be an affirmative, so says my grateful, pain-free back. With its distinctive design, numerous multimedia features, and comfortable seating, the Boomchair Shark becomes a welcome, perhaps even necessary, addition to the gamer’s repertoire. Definitely recommended. And for another floor chair that is highly comfortable but without speakers, check out our Birdrock Home adjustable 14-position memory foam floor chair review. However, if you prefer a more traditional chair, check out our AKRacing Core Series EX review or Homall gaming chair review to see if either option fits your needs.
Pros:
- Very comfortable, keeps your back sore-free
- Sleek, sexy design
- Cool flashing LED lights
- Rumble feedback works well
- Adjustable headrest
Cons:
- Speakers could use some more punch
- Included audio cable is a bit short
Available here for $80
