Hi aza,
The Canadian Cloud ES (not SE) is the same as the basic temper cloud in the US. the layering is the same (1.2" of softer 4 lb memory foam over 1.6 " of denser 5.3 lb memory foam). Based on quality alone (and nothing to do with which may be more comfortable for you or which has better value) … the Tempur would be better quality than either of your other two choices.
The Rhapsody is in the HD collection not in the Cloud collection and has thicker layers of higher quality memory foam (1.2" of 7 lb memory foam over 2.8" of 5.3 lb memory foam) and would be higher quality yet but with your lower weight the use of softer 4 lb memory foam would certainly be appropriate in spite of being less durable.
All the Stearns and foster “latex” mattresses from that time (as well as today) used way too much polyfoam in the comfort layers which is the reason they develop issues so quickly. If these layers were good quality latex instead of polyfoam they would last much longer. Even the layers (such as the support core) that are latex use synthetic latex which is the lowest quality and cost version of latex available. You were fortunate to get 6 years out of it. A “real” latex mattress (where you were sleeping on latex layers) would last you much longer.
With poor circulation and low blood pressure … pressure relief becomes especially important and both latex (in the right type, thickness, and softness) and memory foam (in the right type, thickness and softness) will do a great job relieving pressure. In this way they are about equivalent even though they have a very different feel. The only concern I would have with the Cloud ES for you is that the memory foam is on the thin side and you may “go through” it and feel more of the firmness of the base layers below it. Your weight though reduces this possibility but doesn’t eliminate it. This would be particularly true for side sleeping but careful testing and spending long enough on the mattress to test for pressure relief (and of course alignment) in all your sleeping positions can also alleviate this risk. Bear in mind too that if the floor model you are testing hasn’t yet gone through it’s initial softening and “break-in” period that it will be firmer than it will after the initial softening has been completed (usually over the first 90 days or so).
The Stearns & Foster line in Canada (including the Comfort Cloud) … was the same as the Sealy Springfree line which used synthetic latex (petrochemical based) and was mixed with polyfoam (also petrochemical based) in the comfort layers. While synthetic latex doesn’t have an issue with harmful offgassing it is also anything but natural. Most of the polyfoam that is poured in North America has also been tested for harmful ingredients and offgassing (through CertiPur) but is also a synthetic foam and will generally have an initial smell that will dissipate fairly quickly. Even natural latex will have an initial smell that will linger for a while (depending on the type of latex that is being used).
They are making changes to their lineup as a response to their recent difficulties (share prices and market share) as other manufacturers are cutting into their market and profit share. Consumers are finally beginning to realize (along the lines of this post) that Tempurpedic is not alone or even the best in the high quality memory foam market and is significantly overpriced.
The ultimate reason they do anything including “re-positioning” their lineup is because they believe it will increase their profit margin, share prices, and investor profit by “encouraging” people to spend more money on more profitable mattresses. It’s probably not a co-incidence that they are closing out the bottom of the Cloud line as well as the bottom of the Contour line and adding various mattresses that are in the higher budget ranges.
Phoenix