so dh & I really like the lounge at crate & barrel, but we're a little concerned that no one else will feel comfortable sitting on it (when we have company) because it's so deep (46" deep). the axis is pretty nice too although i don't love it as much as the lounge. anyone have experience with either of these sectionals?

Here is a picture showing the chaise end. This gently used sectional is also a Crate & Barrel Axis.

Both Sir John and Freethinker99 have given excellent analyses on the various options available. On the other hand consumers must constantly balance questions of quality vs. cost. There is no doubt that 8 way hand tied coils and 5/4" solid wood frames are superior to drop-in coils (or no-sag) springs and plywood frames. On the other hand a well-built plywood frame sofa with an inexpensive no-sag spring system, costing many hundreds of dollars less, can still be expected to last at least 10 years. Cushions and fabric are far more likely to wear out long before the frame and springs. On sofas retailing for under $1500 by far the most popular type of cushion construction is a 1.8 density HR (High Resilience) polyurethane foam with a polyester fiber wrapping. This type of cushion construction will typically hold up for only 3-5 years before beginning to lose its shape and resilience. If you are looking for a sofa to hold up for 10 years you will need to upgrade your cushions. The two most popular upgrade options include spring-down or high density foam cushions. Spring-down cushions are constructed using a coil spring system inside which is surrounded by foam and typically topped with a down/feather/fiber blend. Another popular cushion upgrade option is one using a high density foam. The higher the cushion density, the more foam is used per cubic inch and the greater the cushion durability. Although a 2.0 density HR (High Resilience) foam is a definite improvement over the standard 1.8 density, I would recommend a 2.2 density or higher if you want your cushions to last 10 years. Fabric durability is the other primary concern for a sofa lasting 10 years. Although there are literally hundreds of variations that can affect a specific fabric's durability, in general look for thicker, heavier fabrics that are tightly woven. Keep in mind that a fabric's cleanability may also be a factor as a "dirty" or badly stained couch is unappetizing no matter how long you have owned it.

Hi! I don't have any advice but am in the same boat. Wondering what you ended up doing?