Ethan Allen, Bassett, and  DreamSofa:

Which sofa brand offers the best quality and value?

This review compares very similar sofas made by Ethan Allen, Bassett, and DreamSofa.

Ethan Allen Spencer track arm sofa 

92w x 40d x 35h (Seat depth 24 inches.)

Bassett BenchMade Weldon track arm sofa

92.5w x 38.5d x 34.5h (Seat depth 25 inches.)

Note – Bassett makes two different sofa qualities.

Bassett’s lower-priced mass produced sofa line has similar looking seating with far less quality. The average lifespan for Bassett’s mass produced couches is 3 to 5 years.

The Bassett Weldon sofa is from the custom-built BenchMade line.

DreamSofa Dresden track arm sofa 

93w x 39d x 30h (Seat depth 24 inches.)

All three sofas compared in this article are custom-built in the USA.

Bassett and Ethan Allen sofas are made in North Carolina. DreamSofa’s factory is located in Los Angeles, CA.

Each of the three brands offers a wide range of fabrics and customization choices.

Dreamsofa and Ethan Allen’s customization options are far more extensive than Bassett’s.

When purchased with the highest quality cushions available, and a durable fabric, all three sofas should last 15+ years.

The overall quality level for all 3 brands is very similar.

The pricing of the 3 brands is very different.

Pricing summary:

The prices listed below are for the specific brands and models being compared as of October 19, 2023.

The listed pricing covers top-quality seat cushions paired with base grade fabrics.

Ethan Allen 92 inch Spencer sofa:  $3,641 $2,964 (Sale price)

Ethan Allen’s price includes a base grade fabric with their top grade Spring Down cushion option. The estimated lifespan is 15+ years.

Bassett 92.5 inch Weldon sofa: $3,921 $3,244 (Sale price)

Bassett’s price includes a base grade fabric with the top grade Premier cushion option. The estimated lifespan is 15+ years. 

DreamSofa 93 inch Dresden sofa:  $2,077 (Everyday price)

Dreamsofa does not offer Sale prices or holiday promotions.

The price includes a base grade fabric with the top grade Plush cushion option.

Dreamsofa’s Plush cushions have the same Marshall coil spring cores as Ethan Allen’s Spring Down cushions. 2.5 density foam surrounds the coil spring cores. The estimated lifespan is 15 to 20+ years.

There is a substantial gap in pricing between Ethan Allen/Bassett and DreamSofa.

Ethan Allen and Bassett are both far larger (and older) furniture companies with well-established brand names. Both have extensive manufacturing facilities in both the USA and internationally.  

Ethan Allen has about 170 U.S retail stores. Bassett has over 400.

DreamSofa has a single factory in Los Angeles, CA. where it builds its custom upholstered furniture. It does not have any factory owned stores.

The company sells primarily to large commercial customers associated with the hospitality and healthcare industries.

Dreamsofa makes all the Made in America custom seating for Apt2B, one of the largest online furniture retailers. Apt2B’s products and fabrics are not available through Dreamsofa’s direct-to-consumer website.

Dreamsofa’s website features a far wider selection of styles, sizes, configurations, and custom options than Apt2B.

Dreamsofa’s top grade Plush coil spring core cushions (surrounded by 2.5 density foam) are not available through Apt2B.

DreamSofa’s ability to provide custom-built furniture of similar quality at lower prices is due to:

• Reduced corporate overhead costs.
• Minimal advertising & marketing expense.
• Bypassing retail markups by selling direct to consumers.

Large furniture manufacturers have an enormous cost advantage over smaller competitors when mass producing massive quantities of identical products.

Most of that cost advantage disappears when the product is custom-built furniture, hand crafted one piece at a time.

Ethan Allen Spencer track arm sofa

92w x 40d x 35h (Seat depth 24 inches)

Bassett BenchMade Weldon track arm sofa

92.5w x 38.5d x 34.5h (Seat depth 25 inches.)

DreamSofa Dresden track arm sofa

93w x 39d x 30h (Seat depth 24 inches.)

Quality & Value: Ethan Allen vs. Bassett vs. DreamSofa

Comparisons will be made in these categories:

• Pricing
• Frames
• Foundations
• Cushions
• Fabrics
• Durability
• Warranty and Return policy

Pricing

The base price includes the lowest cost cushions and fabric available as of Oct. 19, 2023.

The upgraded price includes the best (longest lasting) cushions available.

Ethan Allen Spencer Sofa

92w x 40d x 35h (Seat depth 24 inches.)

Common upgrade options:

Base price: (Lowest price fabric with 2.0 density foam cushions.) $3,385 (Reg. price) $2,708 (Sale price)

Upgraded cushion pricing: (Lowest price fabric with the Spring Down cushion upgrade.) $3,641 (Reg. price) $2,964 (Sale price)

Seat depth upgrade options: Upgrade from 24 inch to 26 inch seat depth: + $160.

Cushion upgrade options: Upgrade from 2.0 density foam cushions to Spring Blend Down cushions: +$256 (Estimated 15+ year lifespan)

Feather/Down (very soft) cushions are also available.

Bassett Weldon Sofa

92.5w x 38.5d x 34.5 (Seat depth 25″)

Common upgrade options:

Base price: (Lowest price fabric, 2.0 density Lounge foam cushions & 25″ seat depth) – $3,909 (Reg. price) $2,969 (Sale price)

Upgraded price (with best seat cushions) – $4,639 (Reg. price) $3,699 (Sale price)

Seat depth upgrade options: None

Cushion upgrade options: Upgrade to 2.3 density “Support cushion” option with firm high resiliency foam: $440.

Upgrade to Premier cushion option with 2 layers of Reaxion foam: $730 (Estimated 15+ year lifespan)

A detailed description of Bassett’s cushion options can be found on their website at the Comfort Guide.

DreamSofa Dresden Sofa

93w x 39d x 30h (Seat depth 24 inches.)

Common upgrade options:

Base price: (Lowest price fabric, 2.0 density foam cushions and 23 inch seat depth) $1,777 (Everyday price)

Upgraded price: (With the lowest priced fabric and the top grade Plush cushion option) $2,077 (Everyday price)

Seat depth custom upgrade options: Dresden’s standard overall depth is 39 inches with a 24 inch seat depth.

Classic: 36 inch overall depth | Seat depth: 21inches | +$299

Luxe: 38 inch overall depth| Seat depth: 23 inches | + $199

• Standard 39″ overall depth | Seat depth 24″ | Standard for Dresden sofa +$0

Lounge: 40″ overall depth | Seat depth: 25 inches | + $199

Jumbo: 44 inch overall depth | Seat depth:  29 inches | + $299

Dream: 48 inch overall depth | Seat depth:  33 inches | + $399

Custom: Any in-between depths | Seat depth: Any | + $499

Cushion upgrade options:

2.0 density (Standard) Cloud cushions: (soft) Wave cushions: (firm) +$0

2.2 density Performance cushions: + $100 

2.5 density Benchmade extra-firm cushions: +$200 (estimated lifespan 15+ years)

Plush cushions (coil spring core surrounded by 2.5 density Reaxion foam): +$300 (estimated lifespan 15+ years)

Feather/Down cushions are also available.

Frames:

Ethan Allen Spencer – Hardwood Plywood (7 ply) – Estimated lifespan 15 to 20+ years.

Bassett  Weldon – Hardwood Plywood (7 ply) – Estimated lifespan 15 to 20+ years.

DreamSofa Dresden – Kiln-dried Solid Hard wood – Estimated lifespan 15 to 20+ years.

Foundations:

Ethan Allen Spencer – Sinuous wire seat support – Estimated lifespan 15 to 20+ years.

Bassett  Weldon – Drop-in coil springs. Estimated lifespan 15 to 20+ years. Adds additional comfort compared with sinuous wire, especially when used with foam cushions.

DreamSofa Dresden –Sinuous wire seat support – Estimated lifespan 15 to 20+ years.

Cushions:

Seat cushion lifespan depends on many factors.

Foam density, cushion size & thickness, amount of use, and the size of the people sitting all affect how long your cushions will last.

For more information on this topic, see my article, What is the Difference Between Foam Density & Firmness? 

The cushion lifespan estimates given below are based primarily on the foam density or coil spring construction and 45 years’ experience in the furniture industry.

They will not be as accurate as estimates based on an analysis that considers all the factors listed above.

Ethan Allen Spencer  

Standard 2.0 density seat cushions – Est. lifespan: 4 – 6 years. 

Spring Down cushion upgrade – Est. lifespan: 15+ years.

Bassett Weldon  

Standard 2.3 density Support cushions: Est. lifespan: 10+ years.

Softer 2.3 density Lounge cushions: Est. lifespan: 10+ years.

High resilience 2.3 density Premier cushions with Reaxion foam: Est. lifespan: 15+ years.

DreamSofa Dresden  

Standard 2.0 density – Choice of Cloud cushions (soft) or Wave cushions (firm): Est. lifespan: 4 – 6 years. 

2.5 density Performance cushions: Est. lifespan: 15+ years.

Plush (coil spring core surrounded by 2.5 density Reflex foam) – Est. lifespan: 15 to 20+ years.

Fabrics:

All three brands have an extensive selection of fabrics.

Ethan Allen has the most extensive selection and the widest price variation. Some of EA’s higher priced fabrics can increase the sofa price by $1400.

Ethan Allen and DreamSofa accept C.O.M. (Customer’s Own Material) orders.

Important Note: Fabric durability has no relationship to price. Very expensive fabrics may be delicate, while low-cost fabrics may be highly durable.

All three brands will be happy to recommend fabrics that meet your specific needs, including high durability, easy to clean, kid & pet-friendly, etc.

Durability:

It is strongly advised to get the best (most durable) cushions available when buying a sofa from any upholstery brand.

2.3 density foam cushions can double the lifespan of your sofa as compared with standard 1.8 or 2.0 density cushions.

2.5 density foam and Coil spring cushions can more than triple your sofa’s lifespan.

For average size people, with average use, 2.5 density cushions should last for 15+ years.

Spring down and other high-quality coil spring core cushions (including Dreamsofa’s Plush cushions) are even more durable.

Ethan Allen vs. Bassett vs. Dream Sofa Quality & Value Summary

The overall quality of all three sofas is very close.

All are hand-crafted and custom-built to last 15+ years if purchased with the top grade optional cushions.

All three brands provide free professional designer help.

Ethan Allen advantages:

• Widest selection of fabrics.
• Priced $280 below Bassett (at Sale prices.)
• Available in 4 sizes.
• 1 deeper seat depth and 2 cushion upgrade options are available.
• Best-known brand name with a long-term reputation for quality.
• The sofa can be seen and tried out in Ethan Allen retail stores.

Bassett advantages:

• Coil spring foundation is slightly more comfortable than sinuous wire used by Ethan Allen & DreamSofa. This comfort advantage is mostly negated when using top quality thick cushions with 2.5 density foam or coil spring cores.
• Available in 2 sizes.
• Soft foam cushion options are available.
• Bassett is a well-known brand. But it also makes lower quality furniture.
• The sofa can be seen and tried out in Bassett retail stores.

DreamSofa advantages:

• The price (with Plush 15+ year cushions and Base grade fabric) is $1267 less than Bassett’s Sale price.
• The price (with Plush 15+ year cushions and Base grade fabric) is $987 less than Ethan Allen’s Sale price.
• Available in 4 standard sizes + almost unlimited custom sizes.
• More custom options are available, including 4 seat cushion options and 7 seat depth options. Arm widths, seat and back heights, leg styles and heights can also be customized.
• Solid wood frame.
• Best warranty and customer return policy
• DESIGNxCHANGE program for inexpensively replacing cushion cores and covers if needed.