Clark Synthesis TST429 Platinum Transducer Review

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(More customer reviews)This is one of those products that you are either crazy about or just couldn't care less about. I recommend this product for Any kind of audio or A/V application. With the correct amp this product adds a dimension to the enjoyment of music you don't even know is missing until you turn it off.
No denying it is expensive especially when you consider you still have to buy an amplifier. However, I have tried other tactile transducers, notably the Buttkick LFE, that cost much less, and there really is no comparison. Please note, this is a review of the Clark Synthesis Platinum, their most powerful tactile transducer. The effect produced by the Clark Platinum unit is immense. It's akin to pulling the switch on a low RPM power drill only to find that you have more torque than you need, Lots more! The Buttkicker unit never approached the output of the Clark Platinum and under the same levels of amplification tended to bottom out. Furthermore, I have had 4 Clark Platinum units in use for over 3 years now, (one of them over 5 years), without a single problem. The Buttkicker eventually gave up the ghost; after two years of use there was finally no dicernable output from the unit, at amplification levels that had the Clark Platinum units practically bouncing the couch off the floor, (which I suppose should happen if a T-Rex walked into your multi-media room/theater). In defense of the Buttkicker company, they make what might be the best tactile tranducer amplifier around. The amp is comparitively inexpensive, has Lots of power, and the added versatility of user controllable frequency response filters. I have two Buttkicker amps powering two Clark Platinums (wired in parallel) each with the gain control set at a notch below half power. This gives the amp plenty of head room for those particullary troublesome passages.
I suggest you try it. If you don't like the effect, try it at differnt levels. If you still don't like the effect, well...you won't have any trouble getting rid of it somewhere but I can pretty much guarantee that someone in the family is going to like it so mount it into the frame of their favorite chair, (see Clark Synthesis website for mounting suggestions). They'll thank you.

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Tactile Sound has been the leader in design and production of tactile transducers for over 10 years. Their unique products are designed to provide the best possible sensory experience, taking music and movie listening to another level. Utilizing the latest in engineering and materials, their products have continually improved into a complete line of one-of-a-kind transducers. Whether you are constructing a home theatre, building a garden sound system, or adding sound to your swimming pool, Tactile Sound has a product that can enhance your experience. Originally developed for military simulation devices, the home theater transducers were specifically designed to provide realistic reproduction of highly dynamic bass-- making explosions, gunshots, and any other bass impacts feel real. Tactile Sound transducers are an essential element of the ultimate home theater experience. The Platinum is the most powerful tactile transducer available in the market today. An enhanced neodymium magnetic structure provides twice the output of even the Gold series. Extended low frequency response and even greater fidelity give this unit added versatility and realism.Specifications: *Power handling: 160 watts RMS/400 watts max *Tactile frequency range: 5-800 Hz *Audible frequency range: 20-17,0000 Hz *Impedance: 4 ohms *Transduction force: 6.9 lb-ft/watt *Tactile force peak: 932 lb-ft *Dimensions: 8" dia. x 2.25" H.

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ButtKicker BK-LFEKit Low Frequency Effect Kit with Amplifier for Home Theater Review

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(More customer reviews)The Buttkicker is a "tactile transducer", meaning it turns sound into shaking. It's just one of four players in that niche; the others are Clark Synthesis, Aura Bass Shaker and Crowson. But the Buttkicker is the best; the Clarks are less intense and less concentrated in the low frequencies, the Auras are $20 units with all that entails (such as lack of shake and lack of finess) and the Crowsons are purely under-couch devices.
The Buttkicker adds a bit of shake to your home theatre. It doesn't replace the subwoofer, but sort-of turns the floor into a lower subwoofer. And I love it. But there are some things you should know.
It needs a LOT of power, so this LFE Kit (with Amp) is probably the best choice to start with because you can't drive it from your receiver.
Second, one LFE Kit will do a sofa nicely, but if you, like me, mount it under your floor, you're gonna need two. Possibly more, but probably two. Because that's a LOT more mass to shake, and otherwise they'll be maxxing out and making a loud knocking noise. (You can drive up to four Buttkickers with a single Buttkicker Amp.)
Third, it's not like riding a rollercoaster. You'll feel the floor shake from loud sound effects, bombs, etc., but don't expect magic. It makes the movie more real, but it doesn't toss you around.
All that said, it's a great addition. If you can afford the cost-of-entry, you'll be amazed how shallow the system feels with it off.

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Ideal for movies, music, and gaming, the ButtKicker LFE "silent subwoofer" lets users experience realistic special effects and concert-quality music without waking the kids or disturbing the neighbors. Rather than emitting loud rumbling sounds during each explosion or heavy bass passage, the ButtKicker simulates the "feeling" of the effect through your couch, chairs, and other furnishings, letting you sense the low without the excessive volume. The device accurately mimics the sensation of many natural and manmade sounds, such as earthquakes, thunderstorms, rocket launches, waves, explosions, tornadoes, volcanoes, dinosaurs, sound effects, and all styles of music.
The Buttkicker installs easily, including under chair or couch mounting to create a tactile experience.

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ButtKicker BKA300 Wireless Home Theater Kit with ButtKicker Advance and Power Amplifier Review

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(More customer reviews)I purchased the ButtKicker BKA300 based on prior reviews here. This is my first time owning one of these systems. The intended purpose of was for more immersive movie-watching and playing on a PS3. The kit was setup with a HDTV using the line out on the TV using a Y-adapter to split between it and a 2.1 (two satellites one sub) speaker set. The rumble unit was setup under one of the four rear legs of a three-person sofa.
Watching live concert music on the Palladia channel really gives the feeling of being there. I started noticing that on regular TV programming one can hear muffled sound on most dialog as if the sofa was the speaker. This is a bit distracting, and an annoyance that could be addressed by sound proofing the furniture a bit.
The blu-ray version of The Dark Knight has some loud low frequency passages that causes a loud metallic thump. At first I though it was bouncing against the furniture or floor, so I took a couple of mouse pads as a quick fix test and put them in between the floor and another between the rumble platform and the sofa, but it did not fix the problem. I then watched Pirates of the Caribbean, again on blu-ray, fortunately not much of an issue here.
Gaming on the PS3 was another issue. Playing Call of Duty 4 with the rumble kit really brings gaming to a whole new level. Unfortunately, once I went online, grabbed a sniper rifle and aimed at someone, every heart beat the game produces started causing the metallic thump. I had someone else play while I tried troubleshooting the problem and noticed it was coming from inside the rumble module as if it was bottoming out. A few days later a family member was playing Resistance 2 and the module was not working. It had stopped working within an hour of playing, and was very hot to the touch. Once it cooled it worked again so it appears that it disables to prevent damage. I tried multiple settings for several days, lowering the "volume" on the amplifier, selecting different modes (music,movie,game,) but was not able to fix the problem.
Ultimately, I decided to return the unit. Really disappointing, I recently learned from reviews of the bigger brother (400 watts min, 1100 watts max) unit also bottoms out; this one is 50 watts. I may still give it a cautious try.

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All new ButtKicker Kit with new 4 ohm ButtKicker Advance transducer, the new wider couch / chair mounting accessory kit, new BKA300-4 amplifier (115v) with integrated wireless option, optional vertical stand, and remote control with preset EQ settings, 6m of high quality speaker wire with banana plugs, 1m high quality RCA interconnect and high quality male to female RCA Y adaptor and a speaker level interface adapter for connecting to A/V systems without subwoofer pre-outs, and an illustrated Quick Start Guide.

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