Hello everyone,
First off I just want to say I been a member of several information boards before and this has to be the BEST one I every stumbled across. Just wanted to give everyone some props for the good work. I just spent the last hour reading all kinds of threads.
I decided to go bed shopping today and kinda really liked the Serta Iseries “Applause”. I was eyeballing the King that was on sale at Mattress World for $1399. Im 5’8 and 185 pounds with mild lower back pain(think we all have that). I’m usually a side or stomach sleeper.
My old(current) bed was a firm King Koll from 20 years ago. I have no idea why I waited to get a bed for so long because money wasn’t holding me back. I mean it works but I sometimes don’t feel rested when I wake up and I know its because my bed is worn out.
Obviously what ever I get will be a upgrade but my question for everyone is- Is the Applause a good buy for the money if Im looking for a firmer bed that is still comfy or is there way better options in the 1200-1500 price range.
Thanks in advance
Hi epozboy,
Thanks for the kind words 
The first place I would start your research is post #1 here which has all the basic information, steps, and guidelines you will need to make the best possible choices … and avoid the worst ones (such as the major brands like Serta).
A mattress is only as good as it’s construction and the quality of the materials inside it. The Applause is the lower end of the iSeries line and you can see the layers here …
Pillo-Fill
1.5" Comfort Foam
1" Comfort Foam
1" CoolAction Gel Memory Foam
Coil System: Duet Coil-in-Coil
BestEdge Foam Encased Edge Support
The weak link of a mattress is almost always in the upper layers and in this case there is 2.5" of lower quality materials in the comfort layers (the comfort foam which is a low density polyfoam) in addition to a layer of Pillo-Fill fiber. All of this would be subject to early softening and breakdown and the loss of comfort and support that comes from this isn’t covered by a warranty (which only covers impressions past the warranty exclusion not foam softening). I would avoid any mattress that has 2" or more of unknown (and usually low quality) materials in the upper layers or the mattress or any mattress where you aren’t able to find out the quality of all the layers. The mattress also only has an inch of higher quality materials in the upper layers (the gel memory foam which is a medium quality/density 4 lb gel memory foam).
The coils are good quality and the support system of a mattress is not normally the weak link of a mattress regardless of whether it is an innerspring, polyfoam, or latex.
Typical of all the major brands … this is not a good quality/value choice.
Phoenix