More than just a subwoofer, the Buttkicker is a low frequency transducer that not only puts more feeling in your bass, but....Kicks Butt! Using a unique "suspended magnetic system" to reproduce soundwaves that are not air dependent, the Buttkicker can reproduce frequencies down to 5HZ. This is well below human hearing, but not below human feeling! Variations of the Buttkicker are found in professional settings, such as movie theaters, and concert halls, but have been adapted for use in your own home theater.
Clark Synthesis Tactile Sound Transducer
Don't just hear sound, touch it! With a very compact transducer design, the Clark Synthesis Tactile Sound Transducer can be placed inside (or on the bottom of) chairs, couches, etc... to produce deep bass response that is both intimate and effective (others in the room will wonder what is getting you so excited!).
Crowson Technology Tactile Transducers
The key technology employed in Crowson Tactile Transducers is Linear Direct-Drive. Instead of vibrating air, like a subwoofer, or employing a piston that vibrates inside housing that indirectly transfers the shaking sensation to a chair, such as a bass shaker (both of which take of energy), Linear Direct Drive transfers sonic vibrations directly through the chair itself via its feet, which is similar to techniques used in direct hearing via human bone conduction. Thus, if someone is sitting in the chair, they will feel the direct effect of the linear drive process on their body.
This method requires much less energy to produce vibration effects than other methods, thus enabling a more dynamic effect with faster response times. In other words, the Crowson Tactile Transducer can capture the subtle vibrations of a car driving on a country road to the big boom of an atomic bomb explosion.
Bass Shakers: Aura Sound -------- Sensaphonics
Bass Shakers are another type of transducer device designed to reproduce inaudible low frequencies, designed to give an extra "punch" to your sound system. The Shaker is usually attached directly to the object to be "shaken", such as a chair (similar to the Clark Tactile Transducer) in order to realize its effect. Bass Shakers can be used not only by themselves, but in conjunction with a traditional subwoofer setup.
One final note on these subwoofer alternatives, however. Although very effective in home theater setups for effects that contain a lot of inaudible low frequency information, such as explosions, earthquakes, gun blasts, rocket and jet motor effects, Shakers and Tactile Transducers are not very effective in the typical home music listening environment. A good, traditional, subwoofer is more than adequate for the lowest musical effects, such as bass drums.
Go to page 4: Subwoofers - Shopping and Installation Tips - click on the link below right.
