Hi Texasred,
I agree with you that the specs on this seem to be a little off and I would want to know the density of the memory foam layers before I compared it directly to either the Tempurpedic or the Select foam (both of which use higher density memory foam in the top layer). Their HD mattresses which are supposed to be comparable to the Tempurpedic Contour mattresses that use HD memory foam are very difficult to find now on the site. I’ll have to call them and find out why when I have the chance.
I know from my conversations with them that they us particularly good quality foam (density is comparable to the Temper but they use foams that are poured by one of the best in the industry). They have also been “matched” in both specs and feel. The layers are slightly different than the equivalent tempur even though they are the same or higher quality because of the differences in the foams themselves to match the feel between them.
This is of course an apples to oranges comparison with the other two because it uses completely different materials but if it “fits” you in terms of your testing then I would personally add a premium to the value of any local purchase because of the lowered risk and greater accuracy of testing the same mattress as you end up buying. It’s difficult for me to make any more comments about this one though because I don’t know the details of all the layers in the mattress (outside of it appears to have an high quality offset coil with Talalay on both sides and is flippable which is a durability and value bonus).
The bottom line is that you have narrowed down your options to choices between “good and good” and there are no “bad” choices left. At this point, your own personal value equation (and filling in some of the information gaps) and the objective, subjective, and intangible differences between each mattress and the benefits of dealing with each outlet along with your confidence that your choice will 'match" your needs and preferences becomes the most important factor rather than typical “better worse” choices. No matter which of these you choose … you will have a good quality and value mattress.
Phoenix
PS: in response to Rockindaddys comments which I just saw. I would bear in mind that all higher density memory foam mattresses have an initial breakin period that will affect the firmness and feeling of the mattress. The Tempurpedic Rhapsody is the same and with a new mattress that uses higher density foam it will take up to 90 days or so (and some people even recommend walking on their Tempurpedic to speed up the break in period) to reach it’s more long term level of softness. How it compares to any specific Rhapsody would depend on how old each mattress is and how much of the breakin period has been completed with floor models in particular. The worst case of course is that the mattress has to be returned or exchanged (which is a free process because they pay for shipping) but I wanted to add this as a factor to consider. A memory foam mattress that takes a while to soften is usually a side effect of higher density foam and is much better than the other way around where a mattress becomes too soft much too quickly.