Durability
The Carrom Signature cabinet is made with 1" manufactured wood. It is warp-resistant, and weighs approximately 177 lbs, which indicates it's made with quality materials. The hollow steel rods are built to last, and the playing surface is relatively thick and has enamel screen-printed graphics to protect from wear and tear. USA made tables tend to be made with more quality. It comes with a 1-year warranty.
From the looks of it, durability is not going to be an issue. Are there more durable tables out there? Sure, but you'll have to spend over $1,000 to find ones that are noticeably better.
Gameplay
I have seen tables priced near $1,000 that don't have counterbalanced players. Even the Tornado Sport, priced about $300 more, doesn't have this feature. Many Intermediate players value it tremendously because it clears more space for shots, since the men stay horizontal. Plus, it just gives them more control over the rods. Big kudos to Carrom for adding this feature.
The weight of the table combined with the 1" thick cabinet provides stability, thereby keeping the the table still even when play is aggressive. The 3/8" thick surface, levelers, and leg supports help provide an even playing surface, though a few customers said there were dead spots.
The hollow steel rods are light, smooth, and very high quality. They are built to last and provide faster play, which is what intermediate to advanced players want. The angled side pieces keep the ball in play. The Garlando G-500 also has this.
The natural wood handles are designed for comfort, control, and style. The ball returns are on the ends as opposed to the sides, making retrieval a little bit inconvenient.
It comes with two sets of players, which is a nice bonus. One set is robo-style, the other are painted players. You can also choose between a one or three goalie configuration. The former is for those wanting more of a challenge, while the latter is easier and speeds up play. There aren't many tables out there that come with these options.
For those who like to have a few drinks while playing, you're in luck, because it comes with four cup holders.
Aesthetics
The Carrom Signature currently is available in three different colors: Agean Fresco, Moroccan, and Burr Oak. This is highly unusual, I have yet to see a table with this many available colors. You can choose the one that fits your game room the best. The Moroccan and Burr Oak are contrasted nicely with the black legs and chrome levelers. The Agean Fresco combined with the green surface is a little too much green for my liking. The cup holders stick out a little too much as well.
Who's It For?
The Signature is for beginner and intermediate players, teenagers, and adults. The counterbalance feature, combined with the weight and hollow chrome rods make this table sufficient for intermediate players, though this would be a great table for beginners.
