The Official Bass Shaker, Buttkicker, Tactile Transducer Thread

[Bluvette]

Originally Posted by Kali157

Okay this is the $hittiest drawing, but it was on the quick. I would make the parallel reinforcements (the blue) if the couch frame isn't that thick. I think you can make this out of framing 2x4s. Just place screws along the length it is in contact with the couch frame... maybe even add wood glue (like titebond III).

I would use angle brackets to connect the crossbeams (red) to the frame. As someone said, I would use bolts with a thread locker, not screws.

I would also attach the bottom (relative to pic) reinforcement (blue) to the outer frame of the couch, ie the frame the back legs are attached to, not the beam that supports the backrest. In most couches, the backrest frame isn't as solid as the outer frame.

Oh and try to put the transducer right under the butt of the seated person.

Finally, I would reinforce the entire outer, bottom frame with angle brackets. And by the looks of your couch legs, you will probably need some rubber feet.

Anyway, this is what I would do. Hope it helps a bit.

I would do the right side setup. Mount the transducers downward if you don't have the clearance upward. You don't want the springs to touch the transducer when you are sitting down.

[Kali157]

Originally Posted by Nikka488

Thank you so much. That helps big time. My only concern is depth. I think I'll have to put the transducers under the persons butt, but between the wood and the floor because if they are between the wood and the springs, sitting on the couch would make the springs rest on the transducers.

I wish the parts were here already.... They are scheduled to arrive Wednesday.

yeah I would definitely mount it with the transducer hanging down, not sitting on top of the support (this is the way I mounted mine). Clark Synthesis states in their manual that either orientation works and warns only to NOT mount it sideways. Anyway, it is pretty cool to see the transducer under the couch.

I would measure to make sure you have the clearance required (3.5-4.5 inches depending on mounting method if memory serves). Adding rubber feet would also increase the clearance.

[Kali157]

Originally Posted by Bluvette

I would do the right side setup. Mount the transducers downward if you don't have the clearance upward. You don't want the springs to touch the transducer when you are sitting down.

I think the choice should be based on the wood (type and cut) and the distance of the board the transducer is attached. Once cut to the length required, see if the board flexes when you apply pressure to the middle.

[Waszak1977]

Originally Posted by Nikka488

Thank you so much. That helps big time. My only concern is depth. I think I'll have to put the transducers under the persons butt, but between the wood and the floor because if they are between the wood and the springs, sitting on the couch would make the springs rest on the transducers.

I wish the parts were here already.... They are scheduled to arrive Wednesday.

Correct, I think I was PM'd about this exact situation where the transducer was mounted between the re-enforcment & the Springs, the problem is if the springs come into contact with the transducer not only will it sound like some serious damage is going on but may just ruin both the couch & the transducer (which ever you choose to use)...

Have you looked into mounting them in the side arms or in the lower back? they don't have to be under you...

[MovieFanatic2010]

I am having trouble figuring out a way to mount Bass Shakers on the left or right side of the couch. So Right now i have 2 bass shakers mounted in the middle. The left and right side recline and it's all metal underneath... Can anyone think of a way to mount a bass shaker on either side....In the picture it looks like the bass shakers are touching but they are not........Thanks

[GAWD]

Is there any part of the frame that does NOT move? I have mine installed on recliners also but there are two metal "cross members" that don't move. I screwed some wood across those and made sure I have clearance from all the moving parts. They work great :-).

[Nikka488]

I got everything today (Amp, 2 Clark transducers). The transducers are smaller than I thought. They are 8 inches long and about 2 inches deep. They are WAY heavier than I thought they would be. (But that's good).

I'm excited to get started. I'll definitely be hanging them between the support beams and the floor. I wish tomorrow was Saturday. It's going to be hard to wait to get started...

I see now why they say to use hard wood and why everyone on this thread has been saying to reinforce the couch...

[Nikka488]

So last night I hooked up the AMP and one transducer just to test it out. I did NOT mount it yet. I was just holding it and resting my feet on it. I don't know if I had unrealistic expectations, but I was really underwhelmed. I got the Clark Synthesis TST209 and the Dayton Audio SA230 230W Subwoofer Amplifier.

Here's the link to the amp:
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/show...er%20amplifier

I had the amp cranked up to just shy of max with the bass boost on and I did not feel the Transducer was moving enough for it to shake apart a couch if you did not reinforce it.

For those of you that have the Clark Transducers can you give me an idea if you think the amp isn't powerful enough? Was I expecting to much? Does the gauge of wire matter significantly (I was using 12). How about the Sub cable?

Any help would be greatly appreciated. One last thing: In my searchings I recall seeing someone post a contact/name of a person at Parts Express that is a pro with Transducers. Does anyone know who that is? Maybe I can get a hold of him if no one here knows what my problem might be.

Thanks guys.

[Kali157]

Originally Posted by Nikka488

So last night I hooked up the AMP and one transducer just to test it out. I did NOT mount it yet. I was just holding it and resting my feet on it. I don't know if I had unrealistic expectations, but I was really underwhelmed. I got the Clark Synthesis TST209 and the Dayton Audio SA230 230W Subwoofer Amplifier.

Here's the link to the amp:
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/show...er%20amplifier

I had the amp cranked up to just shy of max with the bass boost on and I did not feel the Transducer was moving enough for it to shake apart a couch if you did not reinforce it.

For those of you that have the Clark Transducers can you give me an idea if you think the amp isn't powerful enough? Was I expecting to much? Does the gauge of wire matter significantly (I was using 12). How about the Sub cable?

Any help would be greatly appreciated. One last thing: In my searchings I recall seeing someone post a contact/name of a person at Parts Express that is a pro with Transducers. Does anyone know who that is? Maybe I can get a hold of him if no one here knows what my problem might be.

Thanks guys.

Hey

First, remember I have the silver, not the 209, so my experience is from that transducer... and I am not using your amp (but it seems strong enough).

As I understand it, transducers are meant to replicate the sensation of a low and strong sound pressure level (SPL) hitting you and your surroundings (the couch). This is an extreme example, but imagine a pressure wall from an explosion passing through you. Clark's transducers simulate these conditions and transmits the vibrations in a way that your brain thinks it is the pressure hitting you and the couch... not something just physically shaking the couch from underneath. So the transducers do not have a very large extrusion (ie the driver does not move as much) compared to speakers like a subwoofer. Instead it is a piston that drives into that metal nut and straight into the couch. If there is too much movement, the sensation becomes "sloppy." So I would imagine that the transducer would not "shake" very much, just tight bursts.

In the beginning, I (and more specifically, my wife) was afraid it was a gimmicky thing to add to our HT. But Clark did a great job with these transducers IMO. If set to the right level, you are not aware that there is something under your a$$ shaking the couch. It just feels like a pressure wave hits you.

Also, I think there is a distinction that this isn't a ride like a flight simulator. It is just supposed to give your lower frequencies more impact... literally.

When we just got the transducer, we had some people over and I played scenes with explosions. People on the couch looked like this and were asking what I upgraded in my Outlaw sub... the people on the side couch and standing around (ie not on the transducer) thought they were nuts. See, I turned off the sub, x-over the fronts to 40 hz and let the transducer handle the rest. So people were not aware that something was shaking their seats... which is what we wanted.

Anyway, this is also why how you mount it and what materials you use greatly affects performance. If the structure has too much flex, the sensation will be diminished, even feel "off."

So build the frame, install the transducer, and fire up a movie. Once installed, if the sensation feels weak, then there maybe an issue with one of your components. Two 209s should be a tad overkill for a small couch.

[Nikka488]

Originally Posted by Kali157

Hey

First, remember I have the silver, not the 209, so my experience is from that transducer... and I am not using your amp (but it seems strong enough).

As I understand it, transducers are meant to replicate the sensation of a low and strong sound pressure level (SPL) hitting you and your surroundings (the couch). This is an extreme example, but imagine a pressure wall from an explosion passing through you. Clark's transducers simulate these conditions and transmits the vibrations in a way that your brain thinks it is the pressure hitting you and the couch... not something just physically shaking the couch from underneath. So the transducers do not have a very large extrusion (ie the driver does not move as much) compared to speakers like a subwoofer. Instead it is a piston that drives into that metal nut and straight into the couch. If there is too much movement, the sensation becomes "sloppy." So I would imagine that the transducer would not "shake" very much, just tight bursts.

In the beginning, I (and more specifically, my wife) was afraid it was a gimmicky thing to add to our HT. But Clark did a great job with these transducers IMO. If set to the right level, you are not aware that there is something under your a$$ shaking the couch. It just feels like a pressure wave hits you.

Also, I think there is a distinction that this isn't a ride like a flight simulator. It is just supposed to give your lower frequencies more impact... literally.

When we just got the transducer, we had some people over and I played scenes with explosions. People on the couch looked like this and were asking what I upgraded in my Outlaw sub... the people on the side couch and standing around (ie not on the transducer) thought they were nuts. See, I turned off the sub, x-over the fronts to 40 hz and let the transducer handle the rest. So people were not aware that something was shaking their seats... which is what we wanted.

Anyway, this is also why how you mount it and what materials you use greatly affects performance. If the structure has too much flex, the sensation will be diminished, even feel "off."

So build the frame, install the transducer, and fire up a movie. Once installed, if the sensation feels weak, then there maybe an issue with one of your components. Two 209s should be a tad overkill for a small couch.

I can't tell you how much your message appeased my concerns. I'll get it all hooked up, reinforced and tweak my receiver settings (to the best of my abilities). Then I'll try it out.

I think I was expecting rumble seats unconsciously.

What type of wood did you end up using to reinforce your couch?

[Kali157]

Originally Posted by Nikka488

I can't tell you how much your message appeased my concerns. I'll get it all hooked up, reinforced and tweak my receiver settings (to the best of my abilities). Then I'll try it out.

I think I was expecting rumble seats unconsciously.

What type of wood did you end up using to reinforce your couch?

I knew you were going to ask this... first, I got it from a friend that builds furniture as a hobby... so what I am saying is... I am not sure. I think it is oak or ash... I'll ask.

If you don't have a ready supply (or generous friends), I would go to the hardwood section and find the cheapest one. As long as it is hardwood, it should work, no (someone PLEASE correct me if I am wrong)?

[Kali157]

Oh and get some rubber feet for that couch.

[Waszak1977]

Originally Posted by MovieFanatic2010

I am having trouble figuring out a way to mount Bass Shakers on the left or right side of the couch. So Right now i have 2 bass shakers mounted in the middle. The left and right side recline and it's all metal underneath... Can anyone think of a way to mount a bass shaker on either side....In the picture it looks like the bass shakers are touching but they are not........Thanks

[Show spoiler]

My ONLY concern is the screws, I really don't know how these compare to the ButtKicker LFE's (size difference is a lot), but if you can replace all the screws with Bolts & Nuts you wouldn't have any long term issues....

I know it's not fun back reading larger threads, but I ruined my 1st HT chairs/couch system after a years use with wood screws, but that was 1000watts per transducer...... Since then, I've learned to re-enforce the entire chair/couch system & run 4 off 2K watts. So far I'm solid & nothing has loosened up.....

That might be enough for those? Curious if others who use them have had issues with them being too powerful for the furniture?

[Nikka488]

I got my Clark TST209's hooked up this weekend. I'll try and post pictures this afternoon. I just wanted to give everyone an update:

1. It took about 4 hours (including going to the hardware store and picking out materials)
2. Really reinforcing the couch and using heavy hard wood was great advice. Thank you.
3. I'm really happy I did it and can't imagine NOT having them now.

I watched Fast Five, Inception, and Clash of the Titans (2010). Awesome. Though in tuning in the LFE from the receiver I must have unwittingly really turned up my Subwoofer. I got my FIRST EVER complaint from my neighbors Saturday night around 9:30pm.

More info & pictures to follow soon.

[Kali157]

Originally Posted by Nikka488

I got my Clark TST209's hooked up this weekend. I'll try and post pictures this afternoon. I just wanted to give everyone an update:

1. It took about 4 hours (including going to the hardware store and picking out materials)
2. Really reinforcing the couch and using heavy hard wood was great advice. Thank you.
3. I'm really happy I did it and can't imagine NOT having them now.

I watched Fast Five, Inception, and Clash of the Titans (2010). Awesome. Though in tuning in the LFE from the receiver I must have unwittingly really turned up my Subwoofer. I got my FIRST EVER complaint from my neighbors Saturday night around 9:30pm.

More info & pictures to follow soon.

Congrats on the install. How was it? Was the amp enough to drive two 209s? How high do you have the amp's volume set to? I am assuming the power is there if you couldn't even tell the sub is higher. Was two 209s enough?

The reason I ask is I had my dad over this weekend for scotch and steaks. We watched Salt (at which point my dad kept asking, "Where is pepper?"... and my wife kept egging him on). Then after my wife went to sleep, we watched Drag Me To Hell. Anyway, after the movies, my dad really wants to get a tactile transducer. I thought it was the combo of scotch and martinis talking... until I got an email this morning from him asking what we (notice it is "we") need to do to start their couch conversion.

My dad's couch is a heavy 3 person leather couch with reclining mechanisms on the left and right seats. I think 1 silver would still be enough, or maybe get two 209s. I just don't have any experience with the 209s. Maybe it is time to call Clark Synthesis again.

As for the amp, I may give/sell him mine and upgrade ours to a Behringer EP2000 for possible passive subs in the future or more tactile tranducers on the side couch or leather arm chairs.

[Nikka488]

Originally Posted by Kali157

Congrats on the install. How was it? Was the amp enough to drive two 209s? How high do you have the amp's volume set to? I am assuming the power is there if you couldn't even tell the sub is higher. Was two 209s enough?

The reason I ask is I had my dad over this weekend for scotch and steaks. We watched Salt (at which point my dad kept asking, "Where is pepper?"... and my wife kept egging him on). Then after my wife went to sleep, we watched Drag Me To Hell. Anyway, after the movies, my dad really wants to get a tactile transducer. I thought it was the combo of scotch and martinis talking... until I got an email this morning from him asking what we (notice it is "we") need to do to start their couch conversion.

My dad's couch is a heavy 3 person leather couch with reclining mechanisms on the left and right seats. I think 1 silver would still be enough, or maybe get two 209s. I just don't have any experience with the 209s. Maybe it is time to call Clark Synthesis again.

As for the amp, I may give/sell him mine and upgrade ours to a Behringer EP2000 for possible passive subs in the future or more tactile tranducers on the side couch or leather arm chairs.

I'm sorry for the late reply. Work has been super busy. (as usual). The install wasn't that bad. About 30+ mins of the 3 hour job was me at the hardware story going back and forth over what wood to get. Originally I was going to get a sheet to cover the entire bottom of my couch. Maybe 3/4's of an inch. I ended up going with a 9 foot 1 3/4 inch piece of wood instead. We cut that into 3 pieces. 2 of them we mounted under where you sit (holding the transducers) and the 3rd we cut into two more pieces to raise my couch. I needed a little more clearance from the floor.

The amp i got works great. I have it at about 3/4 gain and increased the db via the bass booster on the back. It seems to have no problem driving the 2 clark TST209s. I can't say that one Clark Silver would be better. My gut tells me it would probably be comparable. The benefit of one (over 2) is that it would have required a little less work, but the transducer would then have to reside between the viewers instead of one under each, but since the movement is distributed through the frame of the furniture I'm not sure that would matter one way or another. If I did it again I might try buying a single more premium unit instead of 2 entry level ones. But that's conjecture at best.

2 Clark TST209s is definitely enough for my 2-3 person couch. I can't imagine NOT having the transducers now. It really does add more. When I turn them off I feel like I am experiencing less bass (movement).

One thing that I noticed (probably because of my lack of experience) is when I went into my Yamaha 765 receiver to turn up the LFE channel manually I inadvertently turned up my subwoofer (even though I adjusted the gain down). Saturday night while watching Fast Five I got my first EVER complaint from my neighbors at 9:30pm. Now I have a hard time figuring out if my volumes are to loud because the transducers give the impression that there is a TON of bass being output. My body needs to recalibrate itself to recognize what is to much. LOL.

Let us know what you end up deciding on...

[timcat4843]

Anybody here have sofas and or chairs with D-BOX?
Just found this old article reviewing the movie Transformers with D-BOX.

WOW!!!

Transformers D-BOX Review
January 11, 2009 By Jonas Allen

I know The Dark Knight got all sorts of praise last year, and I know the latest Batman film has D-BOX Motion Code, which we’ll eventually review. But forgive me for a moment while I divulge one tiny, miniscule but very important secret: Transformers is still a hot property for us children of the ’80s, and the D-BOX support for Transformers on Blu-ray will darn near make you forget all about the Caped Crusader and his nefarious, joking nemesis.

Transformers isn’t exactly a new Blu-ray release, having shipped out in early September, but for those home entertainment enthusiasts who have recently ponied up for a D-BOX Motion Control system, allow me to be among the first to recommend and welcome you to the best D-BOX implementation you’ll experience. Hands down, the D-BOX Motion Code on Transformers is the best D-BOX movie to date. Do you want to know why this D-BOX review is a little late, and why I haven’t yet written about the D-BOX code on The Dark Knight, among other recent releases? Because I can’t simply stop watching (and feeling) this one.

Right from the opening credits of Transformers, you know you’re in for something special. The opening scenes with the helicopters reproduce the thump of the blades, while the chair rocks to coincide with the camera movements and rocking in the air. Amazingly, the D-BOX code actually “transforms” with the on-screen action, too, as the Decepticon’s helicopter blades thumping in your back transition smoothly to an in-seat rattling as F-16 jets with a powerful engines fly by the bogey. As the helicopter transforms into its robot form, you feel a whole host of vibrations, clicks, thumps and jarring motions as the various parts move into position. Then those subtle thumps blow up into massive thumps associated with explosions as the chopper destroys the base. It gets even better, though, as the EMP blast is the closest thing you’ll ever experience to D-BOX porn. Screw the rumble effect in a videogame controller; these feelings are immersion perfection.

And did I mention this is just the movie’s opening scene?

Once the movie gets going, and we meet our first Autobot (Bumblebee), the D-BOX engineers start to have even more fun, experimenting with different motions and sensations related to disparate on-screen actions. For example, the blast of Bumblebee’s radio blowing out the cars’ windows is hilarious, but it’s also incredibly effective. When you stop to think about it, though, D-BOX has always had a penchant for timing its Motion Control to vehicle movements, so I shouldn’t have been surprised by the excellence of the Motion Code in a movie based on vehicles “moving” from one form to the next. Heck, just look at the name of the movie. This film, already excellent in its own right, is actually improved ten-fold with the “rock and roll” experience.

In essence, every time there’s a Transformer on the screen, your D-BOX-equipped seat is moving, thumping or doing something other than just standing idle. D-BOX engineers should personally recruit Michael Bay to make all movies with D-BOX support, because Transformers is the perfect film for D-BOX support. Bay is known for making films with huge explosions and massive action; funny thing, that’s exactly what D-BOX does best. Yet it’s not just explosions and gunfire, which of course Transformers has in spades, but also nuanced movements with the recoil from gunfire and camera-associated sways.

Seriously, everything D-BOX does well is jacked up to 11 in Transformers on Blu-ray. Explosions, car chases, gunfire, subtle camera movements, sways that coincide with an airplane, bumps that correspond to impacts with the ground or flat surfaces. You name it, this movie has it, and D-BOX has a motion that corresponds masterfully to it.

Transformers is a good action movie on its own, but it’s an in-your-face-and-gloatingly-great action movie with a D-BOX Motion Platform. I enjoyed this film immensely before watching it on a D-BOX system, but I got downright giddy watching it with D-BOX. In fact, the only thing keeping me from calling all my friends and family over to watch it right now was my unflinching and selfish desire to never give up the D-BOX-equipped chair for a minute while watching this movie. Transformers is a showcase Blu-ray Disc for video and audio, and it’s by far the best candidate for a D-BOX showcase piece as well.

Score: 10

[perfectdark]

Hi all

I am looking at purchasing bass shakers for my couch in my home theatre. Since i live in Canada, shipping always hurts the budget.
I have read reviews on both units and all reviews are good, due to the prce, i assuem the Aura's are better but by how much?

2 Aura AST-2B-4 Pro Bass Shaker Tactile Transducers from parts express with shipping are $148.21
4 Dayton Audio TT25-16 PUCK Tactile Transducer Mini Bass Shakers 16 Ohm from parts express with shipping are $$81.96
6 Dayton Audio TT25-16 PUCK Tactile Transducer Mini Bass Shakers 16 Ohm from parts express with shipping are $112 (not sure how to wire 6)

So price is a big difference. For $81 bucks i get 4 Dayton bass shakers whereas for $148 i get only 2 Aura's. But i understand from long life lessions that "you get what you pay for"

I am looking to power which ever i buy with my old RCA receiver, see specs below but its 50watts per channel @ 6 ohm

Amplifier Output Details 50.0 Watt - 6.0 Ohm - 40 - 20000 Hz - THD 0.9 % - 1.0 channel(s) ( Center ) , 50.0 Watt - 6.0 Ohm - 40 - 20000 Hz - THD 0.9 % - 2.0 channel(s) ( Front ) , 50.0 Watt - 6.0 Ohm - 40 - 20000 Hz - THD 0.9 % - 2.0 channel(s) ( Rear )


any advise is greatly appreciated
thanks
guys

[s33s]

Will I be able to use these sub's for home cinema use along with this amp,or the 4Ω impedance is a problem?

I want to incorporate this in a DIY platform bed due to lack of space,along with a couple transducers....

Could it happen?

[MovieFanatic2010]

I currently have 2 Aura Bass Shakers in the middle of my couch and i want to add 2 more on either side... Can someone complete the diagram with the correct wiring... Thanks