Hi Jae,
I would personally prefer a choice that was ideal in terms of PPP and it also depends on whether by too soft you are referring to “surface feel” softness, “pressure relief” softness, “support” softness or “overall” softness (see post #15 here) but if I had to choose between a mattress that was a little too soft or one that was a little too firm I would always choose a mattress that was a little too firm because you can always add some additional softness or pressure relief with a mattress pad or a topper but if a mattress is too soft then there are no great ways “fix” it and make it any firmer without removing and replacing the layers that are too soft.
[quote]1. What are the thicknesses and densities (e.g., pounds per cubit foot) of each of the polyfoam layers?
No less than 1.5 lb density foam throughout. Upholstery layers are 1.65 and 1.8 lb in density. 2" of Ultra HD 6.5 lb. density gel-infused memory foam found in the pillow top directly under the quilt package.[/quote]
While these specs aren’t specific enough to make any meaningful comments because they don’t include the specific layering or thickness of each layer … they appear to be OK in terms of quality/durability and are likely better than most mainstream choices. Quality specs are important to know but they don’t say anything about the suitability of a mattress in terms of PPP which is why your own careful and objective testing is so important.
[quote]2. What are the support factors and resiliency factors of each of the foam layers?
See above. Support factors are determined primarily by foam density. With regard to resiliency, in all layers we are using pre-compressed soy-based foams to help eliminate impressions and shorten the break-in period.[/quote]
These are specs that very few retailers or manufacturers would (or even should) provide because they are well aware that it would have no practical use or meaning to anyone outside of an experienced manufacturer or mattress designer and aren’t specs that are meaningful or necessary for a consumer to know. These types of specs would do more to confuse than help 99.9% of consumers because they wouldn’t have the knowledge or experience to understand what they mean in “real life”. Foam densities are the “quality specs” you need for polyfoam and memory foam and the others that are much less important or that you can “feel” when you test or sleep on a mattress aren’t necessary.
They would probably be able to tell you the coil count and I would want to know as well but as you mentioned the coils aren’t normally the weak link of a mattress and your testing will tell you whether a specific innerspring in combination with the rest of the materials in the mattress are suitable for you.
Getting overinvolved in specs is a sure way to reach information overload and “paralysis by analysis” especially when the specs you are asking about (outside of the quality specs mentioned here) aren’t nearly as important as your actual experience.
Phoenix