Info on Building a Simple Platform

[Fors*]

I am a real novice when it comes to the construction end of HT, so please bare with me. I am interested in building what I believe is going to be a rather simple platform that is to serve the purpose of supporting my loveseat recliner so my single LFE buttkicker can be maximized. I have done some research and I am going to list what I believe is the simpliest platform. I am sure I will leave some things out, but this is what I know of, so far. Limited budget too, (not sure how much, this is why I am asking in this thread to find how much $$$ I absolutely need in order to get this done...) I understand there are a lot of other bells and whistles I could be adding, but I just want a platform for my couch to maximize my buttkicker:

Recliner is 5 feet wide and about 4 feet in depth when reclined:

1) 7 or 8 2X4's for the width of the frame (length recommendations?)
2) 2 more 2X4's for the front and back (length recommendations?)
3) Auralex U-Boats (Not sure how many I need with these dimensions?)
4) Plywood (Dimensions? Can it be 2 pieces or should it be one? - Limited doorway space down the stairs to the basement...)

Anything else I absolutely need to maximize the performance of my buttkicker for this platform......?

What I listed is what I think I absolutely need to make the buttkicker do its job right. I realize I could add additional things for the acoustics, but this room is "not ready for prime time" in any real way for the best acoustics (alot of open space, lack of concrete walls, etc....)

Any and all assistance from the blu-ray experts is appreciated....thanks in advance!!!!

[BrettLee3232]

Originally Posted by forsberg21

I am a real novice when it comes to the construction end of HT, so please bare with me. I am interested in building what I believe is going to be a rather simple platform that is to serve the purpose of supporting my loveseat recliner so my single LFE buttkicker can be maximized. I have done some research and I am going to list what I believe is the simpliest platform. I am sure I will leave some things out, but this is what I know of, so far. Limited budget too, (not sure how much, this is why I am asking in this thread to find how much $$$ I absolutely need in order to get this done...) I understand there are a lot of other bells and whistles I could be adding, but I just want a platform for my couch to maximize my buttkicker:

Recliner is 5 feet wide and about 4 feet in depth when reclined:

1) 7 or 8 2X4's for the width of the frame (length recommendations?)
2) 2 more 2X4's for the front and back (length recommendations?)
3) Auralex U-Boats (Not sure how many I need with these dimensions?)
4) Plywood (Dimensions? Can it be 2 pieces or should it be one? - Limited doorway space down the stairs to the basement...)

Anything else I absolutely need to maximize the performance of my buttkicker for this platform......?

What I listed is what I think I absolutely need to make the buttkicker do its job right. I realize I could add additional things for the acoustics, but this room is "not ready for prime time" in any real way for the best acoustics (alot of open space, lack of concrete walls, etc....)

Any and all assistance from the blu-ray experts is appreciated....thanks in advance!!!!

how tall do you want to go? if you just want to go 4" high or 6" high then use 2x4s or 2x6s...then its simple....make it 4x8.....basically you build the frame 4x8, space the studs 16" on center (*NOTE you could go closer in for sturdiness, but you need more wood) then you get a 4x8 piece of plywood & nail it down......you could add insulation in it & just plywood the bottom as well........is this gonna be sitting on carpet? are you gonna carpet this????? if you do carpet & you have extra carpet then cut 4' strips 2" wide & lay them on each stud & around the frame then nail the plywood down.....it will help with creaking of wood!! u could also use rubber!! hope this helps

[Fors*]

Originally Posted by BrettLee3232

how tall do you want to go? if you just want to go 4" high or 6" high then use 2x4s or 2x6s...then its simple....make it 4x8.....basically you build the frame 4x8, space the studs 16" on center (*NOTE you could go closer in for sturdiness, but you need more wood) then you get a 4x8 piece of plywood & nail it down......you could add insulation in it & just plywood the bottom as well........is this gonna be sitting on carpet? are you gonna carpet this????? if you do carpet & you have extra carpet then cut 4' strips 2" wide & lay them on each stud & around the frame then nail the plywood down.....it will help with creaking of wood!! u could also use rubber!! hope this helps

Thanks BrettLee3232. I plan on going only 4 inches high as my ceiling in the basement is only 7 feet high due to the ceiling that is covering the duct work that hangs in my 60 year old house. It will be on ceramic tile in the basement, and I am not sure yet as to if I will carpet the platform or not. I really like the idea of cutting strips of rug to prevent any creaking. Do you recommend the insulation as a "must have" to maximize the buttkicker?

[jswilli1]

Try this link: Maybe it will help you?

http://thebuttkicker.com/support/faq.htm#platforms

or this link for all the FAQ's

http://thebuttkicker.com/support/faq.htm

If you are using the LFE for your loveseat/recliner why not just attach the LFE directly to the loveseat and use the rubber isolators underneath the loveseat (legs)? I move my wireless LFE tranducer between my game chair and full couch using just the rubber isolators. Either way it is recommended to use the rubber isolators with the chair or platform. The rubber isolators basically isolate the furniture from the floor to maximize the LFE unit. I would only consider using a platform if I had multiple pieces of furniture.

[Fors*]

Originally Posted by jswilli1

Try this link: Maybe it will help you?

http://thebuttkicker.com/support/faq.htm#platforms

or this link for all the FAQ's

http://thebuttkicker.com/support/faq.htm

If you are using the LFE for your loveseat/recliner why not just attach the LFE directly to the loveseat and use the rubber isolators underneath the loveseat (legs)? I move my wireless LFE tranducer between my game chair and full couch using just the rubber isolators. Either way it is recommended to use the rubber isolators with the chair or platform. The rubber isolators basically isolate the furniture from the floor to maximize the LFE unit. I would only consider using a platform if I had multiple pieces of furniture.

Yeah, I had it under the one leg, but was thinking a platform would be even better. I was going to try to attach it inside my couch, but the couch is too shallow. I sure do wish I could have, but if you sat on the middle seat, I believe you would feel a whole lot of something going on down there, which would be bad......unless of course, he/she might like that kind of thing.....

Seriously, there is no support to attach it anywhere else either. This is actually a really good excuse to get new HT furniture, however, with a new deduction, uh...., I mean, little one due in about 10 days.......well, you know the rest....

So do you recommend leaving it under the one couch leg and using the rubber isolators for the other three legs?

[jswilli1]

That is the way my wireless BKA300 attaches to the couch under one leg. My transducer like yours can be attached inside the couch. I thought your LFE came with a mount?

This is what the mount for your LFE looks like: (you have the big LFE correct? not the wireless)

http://thebuttkicker.com/home_theate...ories/cmak.htm

[Fors*]

Originally Posted by jswilli1

That is the way my wireless BKA300 attaches to the couch under one leg. My transducer like yours can be attached inside the couch. I thought your LFE came with a mount?

This is what the mount for your LFE looks like: (you have the big LFE correct? not the wireless)

http://thebuttkicker.com/home_theate...ories/cmak.htm

Yep, that is what I have and yes, it is the big LFE kit. OK, I will just go with the mount for now, until my kids get old and I can take the rest of the basement from them.....thanks for all of your help!

[jswilli1]

Originally Posted by forsberg21

Yep, that is what I have and yes, it is the big LFE kit. OK, I will just go with the mount for now, until my kids get old and I can take the rest of the basement from them.....thanks for all of your help!

It will be more than enough to vibrate them to sleep!

[Fors*]

Originally Posted by jswilli1

It will be more than enough to vibrate them to sleep!

LOL!!!