Hi alariv,
The Sealy Embody is a latex hybrid which uses a polyfoam base with various different thicknesses of blended mostly synthetic latex in the top latex layers. This is the least expensive and lowest quality latex. More information about the different types of latex is here. As you can see … the raw materials used in latex foam is either natural from the rubber tree (NR), Synthetic (SBR) or a combination of the two. It is also made using two different processes, Dunlop or Talalay. Blended Dunlop is the lowest quality and least expensive of these although still better than other types of foam. It is not as durable or elastic as natural Dunlop or blended and natural Talalay. More about the difference between blended and natural is in post #2 here. In spite of this … like all of the major brands … it is significantly overpriced and more expensive than many mattresses that use higher quality latex in the comfort layers and in many cases the support layers as well. Smartlatex is made by Sapsa (which Sealy used to own) and uses a form of zoning “inserts” which can include non latex materials to make it “smart”.
The Goldbond Ecotouch (and the specs you have are the same as the ones I have) uses a higher quality blended talalay latex in every layer including the support core and even if was a higher price it would be a significantly better value IMO. It would work very well for many people but particularly side sleepers (because it has about 4" of softer latex on top).
A search on “Habitat” (without the quotes) will bring up a few results and some comparisons of their mattresses to other alternatives. In essence they use high quality materials but also are much higher priced than many other outlets that use the same or better quality materials and sell them at much lower prices.
Astrabeds (and their partner site http://www.simplyrest.com ) are lower priced but I have a few “issues” with them. They use a 26 ILD support core which is quite soft for most people (and this ILD isn’t listed on the Latex International site), are also more expensive than other online options available (including some of the members of this site) although better than others including Habitat, but most important they are not so knowledgeable about the materials they use in their mattress and tend towards “high pressure”. When I originally talked with them a long time ago … they were very high pressure. Much later I had a conversation with another of their “partner” sites and they seemed much more reasonable and assured me that the “high pressure guy” was gone. I used the chat on their site today to see how their customer service was at this point and I was not impressed at all. They seem to be the same “style” as they were when I first talked with them and very much in a hurry to make the sale rather than educate their customers. A log of my online conversation is posted at the end of this post … and is quite funny at times when he talks about “chewing gum”. I would pass them by at this point for value and service reasons.
Our membership list here lists the members that specialize in online sales or sales or shipping across the country and post #21 here will give a few details of each. The value here is better than either of the outlets you have mentioned.
As SRugs mentioned … there are many other options besides the ones you mentioned. It is usually preferable if possible to test a mattress locally and there are many local factory direct manufacturers which make great quality and value mattresses all around the country and there may be one or even several near you depending on where you live. These factory direct outlets or local sleep shops that sell smaller alternative brands (like the gold Bond and that are often made locally as well) are usually the source of the best quality and value. Online ordering can be a great option if you happen to be in an area where similar quality and value are not available.
Hope this helps … and the log of my conversation with Astrabeds follows.
Phoenix
Live Help
If you have any questions, feel free to ask me
→Can any of the layers be customized for ILD besides the Sonoma?
Astrabeds: Yes, Harmony.
Astrabeds: You can tweak it to perfection.
→ All 3 layers?
Astrabeds: Yes, 3 layers. Rarely does that happen because it’s been time tested for comfort.
→So I could choose a firmer base (26 is on the low side) and also adjust the top two layers if I wanted to?
→=26
Astrabeds: It’s 19, 24 and core is 26. Can you give your height and weight. We mainly sell beds based on statistical information from beds sold. We are usually right on.
→ht 6’5" and weight 195 … but I already know I prefer a higher ILD base core
Astrabeds: The serenity would be the perfect match, plenty firm at 26 ILD with the 19 ILD cushion layer. We won’t change the core, sorry.
Astrabeds: I"m basing this on beds sold that fit your profile. Do you have any medical or mobility issues?
→What type of latex is in the core. I can’t find 26 ILD latex on the latex International site either blended or all natural talalay?
Astrabeds: It’s 100% Talalay, it’s there under features.
→Is it talalay made by latex international … and both their blended and natural are 100% talalay (which is a process not a material)
Astrabeds: It’s Latex internation. 70 30 for excellent durability. Virtually indestructible.
→OK … so it’s the blend … but the closest of their blended talalay (see http://latexfoam.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=83&Itemid=93 ) is 28 ILD … is that the one?
Astrabeds: Styrene Buteadiene. 30% without it the material would crumble.
Astrabeds: Manmade natural synthetic. they put in chewing gum.
→OK … you have the numbers reversed … it’s actually 70% SBR … but I like their blended better anyway. But this aside … you can’t use a fimer blended talalay core? (I’ve done some testing on other talalay latex mattresses and know I want a firmer core)
→HuH??? … chewing gum?
Astrabeds: It’s not backwards, you are misinformed.
Astrabeds: Do some more research, do you want to buy a bed?
→OK… I’ve already talked to Latex International to confirm their blend … but thank you anyway … you may want to call them yourself … they will talk to anyone who wants to know.
Astrabeds: Alot of misinformation out there so good luck.
→You are contributing to the misinformation unfortunately. Make the call yourself to the source of the latex and you will see. Thanks for your help