The seat back height was one of my concerns when buying my chair and why I went with the La-Z-Boy's. They are nice and low, so you can still hear the surrounds and do not get any amplification to the front (similar to if you cupped your ears to hear some thing better). I have been really happy with them, but have minimal to compare them to. Haven't notice any lower back support issues for mine, although we usually sit in them reclined, which may explain some of it.