CUSTOMER EMAIL #1
Can you help me make the right choice between Infiniti IT-8500 and Osaki OS 7075R? We want a good massage chair with zero gravity functions. My wife likes a stronger massage and I am more of a relaxing massage type of a person. My wife really cares about upper back and shoulers and neck. Any advice? Thanks, Martin
MY RESPONSE #1
Hi, Martin
Thank you for your email. The IT-8500 and OS-7075R are often shopped comparatively because of their similarities in cost and features. I actually have written a 2 part comparative review of these chairs because of the interest in them. Here are the links to those articles:
Both chairs are quite vigorous and considered “deep tissue massage” chairs. You may not find either terribly relaxing at first. But, as you become adjusted to the intensity of the massage, you will come to find either one very relaxing. I would have to pick the IT-8500 for neck and shoulder massage quality. It has a fabulous roller massage in that area. Both chairs have zero gravity massage. The OS-7075R has a more intense foot roller massage and stretch program. The IT-8500 seems to have a better “fit” for the user.
CUSTOMER EMAIL #2
Hi, I am looking for a friend who has no computer, because he is 77 and not a tech-head. He is however a massage chair believer…he has an old Panasonic which was the best chair when he bought it (at least that he knew about) we are the same size and I drove him today and got to check out the Panasonic MA-70 and loved it. We are both 6’1″ and found the foot extension to be great on the MA-70. His 3 biggest concerns are A – GREAT customer service and warranty B – a comparable MA-70 experience C fit and rugged for 210lbs and 6’1″ chair must be tested and delivered in Los Angeles. “UTAH! REALLY?” oh yes 5 to 7K cost-wise
MY RESPONSE #2
Hi, James
Thanks so much for your email. I am so sorry for taking so long to get back to you. Panasonic is a great chair, all around. They are still as durable and long-lasting today as they were 10-20 years ago. Always a good buy. Their warranty is rock solid, as well. It is 3 years parts and labor and then another couple of years parts only.
The Panasonic MA70 would fit you both just fine. It is Panasonic’s top of the line chair. The roller system really sets this one apart from others. It is one of the few, if not the only, chair that has rollers that come over the top of the shoulders a bit to hit the traps from behind. We have a store sale on the MA70 for $1000 off (bringing the price down to $5999). We also include white glove service in the SoCal area.
CUSTOMER EMAIL #3
I currently have an HT 7450, which seems to be on the fritz. I am interested in something similar (perhaps even the same) and wanted your input. It would need to be about the same size as the 7450. My wife also insists that the food and leg massager be retractable so that it can serve and look like a normal chair. I also like the heat feature. Given these requirements, can you suggest any other chairs to consider?
MY RESPONSE #3
Hi, Ray
Thanks for your email. For all the things that you are looking for, the HT-7450 is a great chair and you can get a replacement easily enough. Not many chairs have a retractable or rotating ottoman like the 7450, but there are a couple to take a look at.
1. The first chair that comes to mind as a possible alternative would be the Panasonic MA70, which is Panasonic’s best massage chair. It has the rotating ottoman, but with foot and calf massage mechanisms and not just the calf mechanism like the 7450 has. It also has arm airbags that hide under the arm rests. When the chair is not in use as a massage chair, it has a large pad, zipped on at the top of the chair back, which can be used to give you lumbar support. that is something none of the other massage chairs have. This chair also has jade-stone rollers that have a heating element next to each roller, thus providing full spine heat. It also has a very sophisticated roller system which goes lower down the back than the 7450 and actually comes up over the top of the shoulders to work the traps a bit, also a feature that no other chair has.
It also has waist, shoulder, seat, and hip airbags. The hip airbags actually massage the IlioTibial Bands on the outside of each thigh…a feature not seen in many chairs.
All in all, it is a great chair and Panasonic’s have a reputation of excellent quality, with Japanese engineering, and they last forever with very little breakdowns. It comes with a 3 year parts and labor, in-home warranty.
2. The second chair to consider would be the Johnson J6800 chair. It is a Taiwanese made chair that has a great roller system, rotating ottoman, and an interesting heating mechanism. It has two pads that are exterior to the chair back and can be placed either behind your back to give you back heat or it can be placed over your chest to give you a heating element on the front of your body. It also has hand pockets so that you can heat your hands as well. I’ve never seen that before in a massage chair. Very versatile. This chair, like the MA70 and 7450, has a roller intensity adjustment so that you can make the roller massage more or less intense. It also has a foot massage component in addition to a calf massage component.
It also has arm airbags, waist airbags, music system integration, and seat massage.
The warranty on the J6800 is 3 years parts and labor, in-home, just like the Panasonic. The HT-7450, by the way, has a 1 year parts and labor, in-home warranty.
The HT-7450 is also still available and is priced at $3499. The Panasonic MA70 is normally $6999 but we have it on sale currently for $5999. The J6800 is priced at $4999 but we have our floor model for sale, which is only 2 months old, for $3499 (same price as the 7450).
If either of you are over 6’2″ tall the MA70 might not be the best fit, but otherwise all 3 chairs would fit the bill, with the Panasonic and Johnson chairs adding a whole bunch of extra features that the 7450 does not have.
Dr. Alan Weidner
www.massage-chair-relief.com