Crowson - TES100 Tactile Transducer and A200 Amplifier

Hardware Components Used

I tested the TES100 and A200 in conjunction with a home theater setup that also included a powered subwoofer. I employed two different speaker setups: one setup using small bookshelf front L/R main speakers and the other with large floor standing main L/R main speakers.

Components used in this evaluation inlcuded a Yamaha HTR-5490 6.1 Channel AV receiver, Kiss DP-470 DVD/Receiver Combination, Samung DVD-HD931 DVD Player, Denon DCM-370 CD/HDCD Changer, Panasonic LX-1000 Laserdisc Player, Pioneer DV-525 DVD player, Syntax LT-32HV LCD television and an Optoma H56 DLP video projector.

A variety of loudspeakers, including Klipsch B-3s, Klipsch C-3, Optimus LX-5IIs, a Yamaha YST-SW205 Powered Subwoofer, and additional speakers, in both matched and mismatched setups were used.

All line-level (including subwoofer) and digital audio connections between components were made with Accell and Cobalt Interconnect cables.

Speaker wire used between the A200 amplifier and the TES100 Tactile Transducer was 14-Gauge Flat Wire. Speaker wire used in the of the system setup was 16 Gauge.

DVD-Audio/DTS music discs used included: Martin, Madeski, and Wood: Uninvisible, Queen: Night At The Opera/The Game and The Eagles: Hotel California.

A sampling of standard CD music software used included: HEART - Dreamboat Annie, Nora Jones: Come Away With Me, Lisa Loeb: Firecracker (HDCD), Pink Floyd: Dark Side Of The Moon, Telarc Recordings: 1812 Overture.

Portions of other software titles in the above categories were used as well.

However, the effectiveness of the TES100 was not limited just to the "big booms". I could also feel and distinguish the subtle vibrations of the crewmen scrambling around the deck.

Other DVD segments I used, such as clips from The Lord Of The Rings Trilogy, Godzilla 1998, and Minority Report, also continued to validate my initial impressions.

However, I was also pleasantly surprised that, after some gain adjustment on the A200 amplifier, I could use the TES100 and A200 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.

All-in-all I found the TES100 in combination with a subwoofer and home theater system worked quite well in enabling a total home theater sensory experience.

In tests with both movie and music material, I was very impressed with vibration textures that the TES100 was able to produce.

Positives include:

1. Great Vibration and tactile sensations.

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. Easy to setup and use. Instruction manuals for both the TES100 and A200 are well illustrated.

4. No fatiguing effect on body after long periods of use.

The only negative points I found on TES100 and A200 were:

1. No remote control for Amp.

2. Optimum gain settings may need to be changed, depending on source material- which is where a remote would be handy.

3. Although reasonably priced, my still be expensive for budget-minded consumers.

The combination of the TES100 Transducer and A200 Amplifier enables one to turn his/her own chair into a home theater component that adds the sensory experience of touch to your viewing and listening enjoyment. Simply fantastic!

FIVE STARS!