Cooler Master Caliber R2 Overview
Before we go over the steps to fully assemble the chair, we would like to take a look at a few features of the Caliber R2, starting at the top. The high-backed Caliber R2 features a purple-stitched Cooler Master logo on the headrest, and a single plastic-trimmed cutout is just below, and is used to secure the straps of the removable lumbar support pillow.
Moving down to the backrest, we have a soft-padded center section that is surrounded by bolstered supports on the sides. The soft center section, like all of the seating surfaces on the Caliber R2, is covered in a PU faux leather material. Both solid and perforated sections are found on the chair back for a bit of breathability. Found across the chair are multiple purple PU sections, as well as purple stitching that accents the joining of the various material panels.
Out back, we once again see a stitched Cooler Master logo and title, but this time it is black thread on a mostly black PU leather surface. Aside from this logo and the rear opening of the lumbar support cutout, the backside of the Caliber R2 is a mostly blank canvas of black and purple material.
What kind of gaming chair would this be if the backrest didn’t have some reclining options? Thankfully Cooler Master has designed the Caliber R2 with this in mind, as a small lever that sits on the right side of the chair where the backrest and seat cushion meet allows you to adjust the seat back from a nearly vertical orientation, all the way back to flat. While I don’t know that I’ve ever needed to lay flat in my chair at my desk, the Caliber R2 can do it if you need to.
The seat cushion itself features a similar padding layout, with a solid section in the center, flanked by some perforated sections along the sides. The left and right side cushion sections are angled up slightly to keep you in the center of the chair, and again feature a combination of black and purple material, just like the seat back.
To the right and left of the seat cushion are two armrest arms which can be slightly adjusted to provide a narrower or wider stance, depending on user preference. The width adjustments take a bit of work to make, as they require you to use the included multi-tool wrench to loosen and then tighten the arms in place. We do wish there was a bit more room for adjusting the arm width, as you really only have about an inch or so to work with.
Each armrest can also adjust vertically, giving you plenty of options to make things comfortable in relation to the height of your desk. A small lever under each armrest is there to allow the arms to move up or down to your liking. The armrests also swivel into three positions, which lets you customize the chair even further to fit your setup. Some users may have a more narrow posture, while others may prefer to spread out. Whichever the case may be, the Caliber R2 is there to assist. Unfortunately, there is no forward or backward adjustment of the armrests, though they are quite long themselves, and should provide adequate room for most arms.
Beneath the chair assembly is a spring-assisted tilt mechanism that which can support a load of 150kg. The chair base can be configured to tilt or lock into place with a simple lever that slides in and out underneath the seat cushion. The force required to tilt the chair back can be adjusted by a standard twisting knob that adjusts the amount of tension on the spring, allowing you to dial in the chair to your liking. This lever also functions as a vertical adjustment control, giving you the ability to adjust the overall height of the chair using a gas lift for smooth vertical operation.
Providing a sturdy base for the Caliber R2 is a five-point steel base. The base is quite sturdy, and has a large footprint to aid in providing a steady and reliable foundation for the chair. A plastic swivel wheel is found at the end of each of the base’s five points, making moving around while in the chair quite easy.
