TES100 Stereo Tactile Motion System and A300 Integrated Stereo Effects Amplifier

The TES100 and A300 were tested with two home theater setups that also included a powered subwoofer. One setup used bookshelf front L/R main speakers and the other included floor standing main L/R main speakers.

Receiver, Preamp/Amp used included a Yamaha HTR-5490 6.1 Channel AV receiver, Outlaw Audio Model 950 Preamp/Surround Processor paired with a Butler Audio 5150 5-channel power amplifier.

DVD players included, Oppo Digital DV-981HD DVD/SACD/DVD-Audio Player (HDMI output 720p/1080i/1080p upscaling), and Helios H4000 (HD-component and HDMI output with 720p/1080i/1080p upscaling), as well as a Toshiba HD-XA1 HD-DVD player and a Samsung BD-P1000 Blu-ray Player and LG BH100 Blu-ray/HD-DVD Combo player.

Loudspeakers used, included: Klipsch B-3s, Klipsch C-2, Optimus LX-5IIs, Klipsch Quintet III 5-channel speaker system, plus additional floor standing loudspeakers.

Powered Subwoofers used: Klipsch Synergy Sub10 and Yamaha YST-SW205.

Video displays used: A Westinghouse Digital LVM-37w3 1080p LCD Monitor, Syntax LT-32HV 32-inch LCD TV, and Samsung LN-R238W 23-inch LCD TV.

Connections between components were made with Accell, Cobalt, and AR Interconnect cables.

Speaker wire used between the A300 amplifier and the TES100 Tactile Transducer was 14-Gauge Flat Wire. Speaker wire used in the rest of the system setups was 16 Gauge.

Software Used

Blu-ray Discs included: The Italian Job, Superman Returns, Into The Blue, Stealth, and Mission Impossible III.

HD-DVD Discs included: The Italian Job, Heart - Live In Seattle, King Kong, Batman Begins, and Serenity

Pre-recorded standard DVDs used included scenes from the following: Serenity, The Cave, Kill Bill - Vol1/2, Pirates Of The Caribbean, V For Vendetta, U571, Lord of Rings Trilogy, Star Wars - Episode 1, and Master and Commander.

For audio only, various CDs included: HEART - Dreamboat Annie, Nora Jones - Come Away With Me, Lisa Loeb - Firecracker, Blue Man Group - The Complex, Eric Kunzel - 1812 Overture.

DVD-Audio discs included: Queen - Night At The Opera/The Game, Eagles - Hotel California, Beach Boys - Pet Sounds, Medeski, Martin, and Wood - Uninvisible.

SACD discs used included: Pink Floyd - Dark Side Of The Moon, Steely Dan - Gaucho, The Who - Tommy.

In addition, music content on CD-R/RWs was also used.

More Than Just Low Frequency Vibration

The first test DVD, Master and Commander proved to be the most illustrative of the TES100/A300 capabilities. Just as with the earlier TES100/A200 combination this film really brings out the low frequency sensory effect. However, when adding the new A300 effects amplifier to the mix, the effects were more directional and realistic, especially the feeling the cannon fire, impact of the cannon balls, and the crew members running on the top deck.

Another great demo for the TES100/A300 combo is the famous Pod Race from Star Wars: Episode One - The Phantom Menace. The dings, bangs, bumps, and motion vibrations on all sides of the racing pods could be felt - and on the proper side of the pod the proper moment in time. This was a great illustration of the stereo motion effect capabilities of the Crowson Linear Drive Actuators.

Another film segment that showed the stereo motion capabilities of the TES100/A300 combo, is a depth charge scene in the film U571. From the subtle vibrations of being inside a submarine to the forceful depth charge explosions coming from several directions, the TES100/A300 combo really places you in the action in a very realistic fashion.

In addition, I also found that I could use the TES100 and A300 combination on music sources, such as the bass heavy, Magic Man from Heart, and The Complex: Live DVD from Blue Man Group. I also had a another great tactile experience from Martin, Madeski and Wood's Uninvisible which has a drum line that really comes out at you with the TES100, and of course, I couldn't resist checking out Eric Kunzel's version of the 1812 Overture - The cannon vibration effects were very realistic.

Tweaking the volume levels for music are a little more tricky than for films, but not difficult at all using the A300's remote control or front panel volume control. Also, the front panel Low Pass Filter control on the A300 allows adjustment to fine tune the correct bass to mid-frequency balance, which is especially useful for music listening.

The Bottom Line

The TES100 and A300 amplifier combination really delivers realistic tactile sensation to the home theater experience. Easy to install and use, this product can be added to any home theater system with subwoofer or preamp outputs.

I was impressed with vibration textures that the TES100/A300 combination was able to produce with both movies and music.

TES100/A300 Combination Positives include:

1. Full Stereo Motion Effects - This really adds dimension to low frequency effects. Since the effects are transferred directly to the listener via conduction, separate channels of information can be employed, which is more defined than the more simplified LFE effects of a standard subwoofer channel.

2. Wide dynamic range - produces both subtle and extreme vibration effects quickly with little effort. Can be used in both Movie and music applications.

3. A300 amplifier comes with easy-to-use wireless remote control.

4. Can be used in both Movie and music applications.

5. The best looking and functional speaker terminals I have seen on an amplifier.

TES100/A300 Combination Negatives:

1. Optimum gain settings may need to be changed, depending on source material.

2. LED Peak Level Meters do not show precisely how much effect you are accessing.

3. The motion effects are very realistic. However, there is no significant chair movement (pitch and yaw) as in motion simulator amusement park rides.

4. Although reasonably priced, may be expensive for budget-minded consumers.

Final Take

The combination of the TES100 Stereo Tactile Motion System and A300 Integrated Stereo Motion Amplifier enables the consumer to turn his/her own chair, or couch, into a home theater component that adds the sensory experience of touch to your viewing and listening enjoyment. This is one of the most innovative home theater products available to the consumer.

I give the Crowson TES100 Stereo Tactile Motion System - A300 Integrated Stereo Motion Amplifier Combination 5 Stars.

Disclosure: Review samples were provided by the manufacturer. For more information, please see our Ethics Policy.