The APOL Sphinx is the latest offering from APOL, which its main target audience is for individuals who have a smaller build. On first look, you might mistake it for the Kraken chair as it really kind of looks like a mini Kraken. There are some differences which separate the Kraken and the Sphinx which I will highlight in this review. APOL Sphinx retails for S$398.
Unboxing
The flatpack delivery comes in a box that is quite big measuring about 37cm * 88cm * 71cm (H*L*W). The box is quite heavy, so you’ll probably end up dragging it on your floor. If you’re gonna drag it along the floor, put the box on a large towel on the floor. That way, you can just pull on the towel to move the box around and the box will not scratch the floor.
Inside the huge box, you will find the following items:
- Wheelbase
- A box containing the Tilt Mechanism and Lever Handles
- A box containing side covers, screws, castor wheels, and hydraulic piston
- Chair seatbase
- Chair backrest
- Headrest and lumbar pillow
Assembly
The assembly manual can be found tucked under the bottom of the chair backrest.
The steps are easy to follow and could be done alone but for Step 4 when you are required to align the backrest with the bracket of the seat base, it is best if you can get some help. Same goes for Step 8, you have be sure to align the slot in the lever handles to the levers before pushing the handles in to prevent damage to the handles.
Build quality and design
Instead of PU leather that is found on the Kraken, the APOL Sphinx uses fabric as its upholstery. The fabric found on the chair looks pretty okay. It does not look as premium but it sure does feel like you are sitting on a fabric sofa. One small annoyance is that dust tends to collect easily on the fabric, though occasional cleaning using a lint roller will do the trick.
As for the different parts of the chair, the wheels roll around smoothly with slight audible rolling sound on parquet flooring. The levers for height adjustment is quite smooth and the multi-tilt mechanism has wide ranging flexibility of adjustments. Armrest levers go up and and down pretty smoothly, but angle swivelling can feel a tad rigid. The overall construction is pretty solid and the chair feels sturdy.
Unlike the silver wheelbase on the Kraken, the APOL Sphinx has a full black wheelbase which gives the chair have nice consistent black modern look.
Features
APOL Sphinx offers standard features found on most gaming chairs such as 4D armrests, low recline angle, and multi-tilt mechanism.
4D armrests
4D armrest means four-directional. This means that you can adjust the armrest in 4 directions: (1) up-down, (2) swivel left-right, (3) push inwards-outwards, and (4) push towards-away from you. You arm position may change when you’re typing or gaming. By having 4D armrests, you are able to quickly adjust them to maintain a comfortable and ergonomic experience.
Reclining and multi-tilt
The APOL Sphinx can be reclined to a maximum of 165 degrees using the lever on the right. Reclining is smooth and has defined positions for the “teeth” to lock it into place. The multi-tilt lever is located on the left side of the seat base. Multi-tilt allows you to rock back and forth when you put your weight back. The level of tension can be adjusted and I managed to find a tension setting that suited my preference.
Comfort and usage
Apart from the upholstery material differences (fabric vs PU leather), the APOL Sphinx is designed for individuals who are of a smaller build. APOL recommends the Sphinx to people who are shorter than 165cm in height. It is apparently created by APOL due to numerous requests by their customers to make a chair that suits the petite size.
When you put both chairs side by side, the APOL Sphinx is shorter than the Kraken. It looks like a slightly scaled down version of the Kraken, which is perfect for petite individuals since it is never comfortable sitting on a chair too big for you. Although I am 172cm, which is more than the recommended height, I still find the chair fitting my size really well (ie. neck cushion is well positioned).
There are also two other differences – the backrest structure and the seat base. The APOL Sphinx’s backrest is less recessed compared to the Kraken. As for the seat base, the Sphinx seat base is levelled with a slight upward sloping sides, whereas the Kraken has a bucket-like seat base with its two distinct ‘side flaps’.
Sphinx vs Kraken
So how does these subtle differences change the comfort?
First, sitting on fabric upholstery is actually quite comfortable. The fabric used doesn’t look as premium looking as PU leather, but there’s something about sitting on fabric upholstery that makes it slightly more comfortable than sitting on PU leather. After sitting on the Sphinx for 2 weeks, I actually prefer sitting on the fabric chair.
Do note that the fabric cushion on the APOL Sphinx may feel little bit stiffer than the Kraken. But after sitting on the Sphinx for a two weeks, I think the cushion has broken in a little and feels more comfortable. The cushioning on the seat base is soft-firm.
Second, the seat base is shallower and more levelled and compared to the Kraken which has the two ‘side flaps’. This design seems to be borrowed from the Behemoth which also has a flatter seat base.
So for people who like to cross their legs on a chair, you’ll find the levelled seat base more comfortable and less restrictive.
As this chair is targeted for small individuals, the shallower seat depth makes it more comfortable for the target audience as when seated all the way back, you would still have some gaps between the chair and the back of your knee.
Third, the APOL Sphinx’s backrest is less recessed compared to the Kraken. This combined with the shallower seat depth kind of makes the lumbar cushion protrudes out of the chair in a way that it puts my lower back in a slightly uncomfortable position if I lean back. But occasionally, the lumbar cushion still comes in handy to provide support for my back when I’m leaning forward on the chair. The way you like to sit is really up to one’s preference, so it is good that the lumbar cushion is a separate component of the chair.
But the less recessed backrest is not a bad thing. If anything, I actually prefer this over the Kraken. I’m not exactly sure how to describe it, but I just feel less “flushed into” the chair when I’m sitting without the lumbar cushion on the Sphinx than on the Kraken.
The backrest also feels slightly wider than the Kraken. For the Kraken, you could put the lumbar cushion anywhere between the side cushions and it will hold its place. But for the Sphinx, you cannot do that anymore – which also means that breadth of the backrest between the side cushions is wider.
Similar to the Kraken, the neck pillow wrapped round using the two holes at the head of the chair. This makes it very easy to adjust the pillow higher or lower. Be it when you’re slouching or sitting upright, you can get the neck pillow to support your neck properly.
Final thoughts
Overall, the chair is comfortable and allows me to stay seated for a long time, like the Kraken. With a similar contoured design that supports your back, if you find the Kraken comfortable, the Sphinx will definitely be the same for you.
I believe the APOL Sphinx is perfect for people who have tried the Kraken but just find it too big for their build. So ladies looking for a comfortable gaming/office chair, I think you should definitely try the Sphinx out.
Optional accessories
As the APOL Sphinx has a fabric upholstery, maintenance of the chair will definitely be harder than that of PU leather. Stains are harder to clean off. As such, you might also want to consider getting a fabric cleaner that APOL sells at S$37.
Conclusion
Overall, I find that the APOL Sphinx is a comfortable chair in my variety of sitting positions. Fabric upholstery is surprisingly comfortable and it really feels like you’re sitting on a chair sofa. The Sphinx may look like a mini version of the Kraken, but it has subtle changes that makes the seating slightly more comfortable. The build quality of this chair is pretty good as well. With everything combined, it makes the $398 price look worth it, and especially so if you’re getting your first gaming/office chair.
Where to buy
At $398, it is almost 20% cheaper than its rivals. The comfort you get (depending on individual) may be similar or even better. If you have been following my blog, I seek out brands that provide great value for your money and APOL is surely one of them.
APOL now have chairs designed for every physique – petite, lean or buff, there’s a chair for you. If you have small build and find every gaming chair out there too big for you, then the APOL Sphinx is made for you.