Bass shakers.....

mole'
mole' Posts: 3,160
edited January 2012 in Subwoofer Hookup & Bass Management
saw these on ebay. what do you guys think?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/4-BASS-SHAKERS-SUBWOOFER-AMP-HOME-THEATER-SURROUND-/280579334209?pt=Speakers_Subwoofers&hash=item4153d4e041#ht_3441wt_952


the whole idea seems cool to me. never used one before tho.
mole'
Post edited by mole' on
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  • MalVeauX
    MalVeauX Posts: 45
    edited October 2011
    Heya,

    They look like a gimmick to me. If you have sufficient bass, everything shakes anyways. I've seen people suggest those things for people who primarily use headphones but want to experience the rumble of a sub without the actual sound. Again, I think it's a gimmick at best. It's a thing that vibrates. That's not sound. That's just vibration.

    Very best,
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  • mole'
    mole' Posts: 3,160
    edited October 2011
    MalVeauX wrote: »
    Heya,

    They look like a gimmick to me. If you have sufficient bass, everything shakes anyways. I've seen people suggest those things for people who primarily use headphones but want to experience the rumble of a sub without the actual sound. Again, I think it's a gimmick at best. It's a thing that vibrates. That's not sound. That's just vibration.

    Very best,

    i have bass for days with my Epik 15" castle sub and 2 LSi15s.....just wanted to try something new.
    mole'
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  • falconcry72
    falconcry72 Posts: 3,580
    edited October 2011
    mole' wrote: »
    i have bass for days with my Epik 15" castle sub and 2 LSi15s.....just wanted to try something new.

    Give'em a whirl!:biggrin:

    But be careful, you might not be able to get your girlfriend to leave...:twisted::redface::cool:
    2-Channel: PC > Schiit Eitr > Audio Research DAC-8 > Audio Research LS-26 > Pass Labs X-250.5 > Magnepan 3.7's

    Living Room: PC > Marantz AV-7703 > Emotiva XPA-5 > Sonus Faber Liuto Towers, Sonus Faber Liuto Center, Sonus Faber Liuto Bookshelves > Dual SVS PC12-Pluses

    Office: Phone/Tablet > AudioEngine B1 > McIntosh D100 > Bryston 4B-ST > Polk Audio LSiM-703's
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  • ken brydson
    ken brydson Posts: 8,759
    edited October 2011
    falconcry72 wrote: »
    Give'em a whirl!:biggrin:

    But be careful, you might not be able to get your girlfriend to leave...:twisted::redface::cool:

    Hehe
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  • joeparaski
    joeparaski Posts: 1,865
    edited October 2011
    I use tactile transducers from Buttkicker. I really like them. However they are much more expensive than the model you showed on eBay so I can't say if they would work as well as the Buttkickers. They definitely increase the movie experience even if you already have subs.

    Joe
    Amplifiers: 1-SAE Mark IV, 4-SAE 2400, 1-SAE 2500, 2-SAE 2600, 1-Buttkicker BKA 1000N w/2-tactile transducers. Sources: Sony BDP CX7000es, Sony CX300/CX400/CX450/CX455, SAE 8000 tuner, Akai 4000D R2R, Technics 1100A TT, Epson 8500UB with Carada 100". Speakers:Polk SDA SRS, 3.1TL, FXi5, FXi3, 2-SVS 20-29, Yamaha, SVS center sub. Power:2-Monster HTS3500, Furman M-8D & RR16 Plus. 2-SAE 4000 X-overs, SAE 5000a noise reduction, MSB Link DAC III, MSB Powerbase, Behringer 2496, Monarchy DIP 24/96.
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  • falconcry72
    falconcry72 Posts: 3,580
    edited October 2011
    joeparaski wrote: »
    I use tactile transducers from Buttkicker.

    I've heard a handful of folks say they love the Buttkickers, but I've never heard, err, felt them.
    2-Channel: PC > Schiit Eitr > Audio Research DAC-8 > Audio Research LS-26 > Pass Labs X-250.5 > Magnepan 3.7's

    Living Room: PC > Marantz AV-7703 > Emotiva XPA-5 > Sonus Faber Liuto Towers, Sonus Faber Liuto Center, Sonus Faber Liuto Bookshelves > Dual SVS PC12-Pluses

    Office: Phone/Tablet > AudioEngine B1 > McIntosh D100 > Bryston 4B-ST > Polk Audio LSiM-703's
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  • mole'
    mole' Posts: 3,160
    edited October 2011
    falconcry72 wrote: »
    Give'em a whirl!:biggrin:

    But be careful, you might not be able to get your girlfriend to leave...:twisted::redface::cool:


    hahahahahahaha

    i just showed her this post.

    she was like LOLOL!!!


    go ahead and order them dear..................
    mole'
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  • TECHNOKID
    TECHNOKID Posts: 4,298
    edited October 2011
    mole' wrote: »
    i have bass for days with my Epik 15" castle sub and 2 LSi15s.....just wanted to try something new.
    No gimmick there. Just install them under your HT seating and you will feel the experience along with the hearing from your subs, As Joe points out, very good complement to your HT experience. Buttkicker is well known and respected as transducers. The kit in the add seems like some China low replica of the Buttkicker but at the price, it is worth a try, just remember you might get what you pay for...
    DARE TO SOAR:
    “Your attitude, almost always determine your altitude in life” ;)
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  • ROHfan
    ROHfan Posts: 1,014
    edited October 2011
    mole' wrote: »
    saw these on ebay. what do you guys think?

    http://www.ebay.com/itm/4-BASS-SHAKERS-SUBWOOFER-AMP-HOME-THEATER-SURROUND-/280579334209?pt=Speakers_Subwoofers&hash=item4153d4e041#ht_3441wt_952


    the whole idea seems cool to me. never used one before tho.

    I use a larger version of those called Aura Pro Bass Shakers which I got from PartsExpress for about $20 each. I have two 4-ohm shakers wired in series connected to an old Sony amp. They're a wonderful addition to a home theater providing you don't crank them way up on the volume. You're going for subtle here. Mine are attached to the frame of my sofas and when I demo my system to friends and family they don't even realize I'm using shakers until I tell them.
    TV: 65" Samsung QLED 4K
    Fronts: Energy RC70 --- Center: Energy RC-LCR
    Front Heights: Polk RC65i --- Rears: Polk RC85i --- Sub: Power Sound Audio XS15
    Pioneer VSX-1120K --- Parasound HCA-1000A --- Oppo BDP-103
    Vincent Audio SA31 preamp --- Teac UD301 DAC
    AIYIMA Tube T7 preamp --- Nobsound 12AX7 tube preamplifier
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  • 27dnast
    27dnast Posts: 255
    edited November 2011
    I also use the Aura Bass Shakers Pro (just to note, they are on sale right now for a great deal!). I have six of them mounted under 3 chairs. Each pair is wired in series... because they are 4 ohms... getting power from an old Pioneer receiver. They are absolutely AWESOME. One of the best additions I've made in quite a while despite having a good sub.

    I'm telling you... sit down and watch a movie with these things and it adds a great new dimension. I demoed the pod-race scene from Star Wars for some friends... the bass shakers make it almost like an amusement ride (not in a bad way, either). I give them huge thumbs up.

    Just remember, these devices are power hungry. That sub amp plate they offer in the ebay link you have might not be enough power...

    I think they sell those transducers in the ebay link on partsexpress... you should go there and read the reviews. They are dirt cheap (about a third of the cost of the auras). I think you can do much better buying these things yourself.

    Just a couple of notes:

    1) When you install these (and I'm not speaking of the buttkicker brand which is much more powerful) you need to install them to the frame of your chair (or a board mounted to the underside of your chair) firing UP into the seat. Otherwise their impact is greatly reduced.

    2) I ended up buying a 50 hz low pass fmod and putting it on the LFE feed into the amp that is powering the bass shakers. I found that the shakers were reproducing too much bass from music and such without it. The 50hz fmod keeps the shakers focused on LFE bass from explosions and trains, etc.

    3) I had to go into the set-up menu of the Pioneer receiver that powers the shakers and boost the bass to "10" in order to get enough power to make them impactful.

    If you get to the point that you think you may actually buy them... feel free to pm me and I can give you some specifics.
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  • ROHfan
    ROHfan Posts: 1,014
    edited November 2011
    27dnast wrote: »

    Just remember, these devices are power hungry. That sub amp plate they offer in the ebay link you have might not be enough power...


    3) I had to go into the set-up menu of the Pioneer receiver that powers the shakers and boost the bass to "10" in order to get enough power to make them impactful.


    IMO, they're not power hungry at all, 27. I have two wired in series for 8 ohms and my crappy old Sony, no more than 50 watts, is MORE than enough power. I can't put the volume over 1/4 of the way without the effect being too much. And that's AFTER my avr's sub pre-out channel is split so the other side can go to my powered sub. Are you sure you caught the frames of your couches firmly when mounting? Sounds like something isn't quite right. Mine come alive with a hair trigger.

    Out of curiosity, what frequency are you crossing over to the sub/lfe channel?
    TV: 65" Samsung QLED 4K
    Fronts: Energy RC70 --- Center: Energy RC-LCR
    Front Heights: Polk RC65i --- Rears: Polk RC85i --- Sub: Power Sound Audio XS15
    Pioneer VSX-1120K --- Parasound HCA-1000A --- Oppo BDP-103
    Vincent Audio SA31 preamp --- Teac UD301 DAC
    AIYIMA Tube T7 preamp --- Nobsound 12AX7 tube preamplifier
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  • 27dnast
    27dnast Posts: 255
    edited November 2011
    Definitely have them mounted right...

    My main AVR is set for X-over at 80hz... the LFE line is split from my AVR and sends to signal to the multichannel-in on the bass shaker AVR. That's where the 50Hz f-mod is set.

    I've found the response to be largely dependent on the bass management settings on both AVRs.

    Can't really explain why our experiences are different... could just be a difference in couch bracing...
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  • ROHfan
    ROHfan Posts: 1,014
    edited November 2011
    27dnast wrote: »
    the LFE line is split from my AVR and sends to signal to the multichannel-in on the bass shaker AVR. That's where the 50Hz f-mod is set.


    Have you tried it this way? I have my bass shaker signal going to the CD input of my old Sony, then out from Speaker Front Left to the shakers. Balance is turned all the way to the left, treble all the way down and bass at half-way. For movies I cross over at 60 Hz at the original avr.
    TV: 65" Samsung QLED 4K
    Fronts: Energy RC70 --- Center: Energy RC-LCR
    Front Heights: Polk RC65i --- Rears: Polk RC85i --- Sub: Power Sound Audio XS15
    Pioneer VSX-1120K --- Parasound HCA-1000A --- Oppo BDP-103
    Vincent Audio SA31 preamp --- Teac UD301 DAC
    AIYIMA Tube T7 preamp --- Nobsound 12AX7 tube preamplifier
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  • 27dnast
    27dnast Posts: 255
    edited December 2011
    I didn't think of trying it your method... if I ever get around to tinkering with it, I'll give it a shot. For now I'm satisfied.:mrgreen:
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  • badger
    badger Posts: 17
    edited December 2011
    I have two clark tranducers on my couch. I only use them when im rocking headphones, when I have my sub running I do not need them or want them b/c they muffle the sweetness of the subwoofer.
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  • tommyt21
    tommyt21 Posts: 685
    edited December 2011
    Reported... were getting alot of these latley
    Living Room
    Fronts: RTi A7's
    Center: Csi A6 VR3 "Fortress Plus"
    Front Heights: Rti A1
    Surrounds: Rti A3
    Sub: HSU VTF-2 MK4 Damn this is a good SUB
    Pioneer Pioneer Elite: SC-35-> Emotiva XPA-3
    TV: Lg LW6500 55" Passive 3D
    Blu-Ray Panasonic BD 210
    XboX 360 Slim/Kinect

    Acoustimac red suede panels
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  • codycr6
    codycr6 Posts: 19
    edited December 2011
    I've used the Aura Bass Shakers in my den... two sofas, with two shakers per sofa. Wired in series and were run on a 100w/channel component amplifier. At the time I was using a small dual 10 inch subwoofer, and used the shakers for impact. Very neat to feel a door close or small shudders and such without a ton of volume that would upset the neighbors! Now I have a dual 15 inch infinite baffle subwoofer on 350/channel, and the subsonic response keeps me from needing them. I did think about moving them to my smaller theater at my weekend house! I highly recommend them for apartments and such, and extra impact for nighttime viewing without disturbing others!
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  • dudeinaroom
    dudeinaroom Posts: 3,609
    edited December 2011
    tommyt21 wrote: »
    Reported... were getting alot of these latley

    Gees just because you're getting a lot of bass shakers doesn't mean you have to report others for talking about it. I don't think they are going to stop making them or run out of stock, you will be able to get more. :rolleyes::razz:
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  • tommyt21
    tommyt21 Posts: 685
    edited December 2011
    dudeinaroom wrote: »
    gees just because you're getting a lot of bass shakers doesn't mean you have to report others for talking about it. I don't think they are going to stop making them or run out of stock, you will be able to get more. :rolleyes::razz:

    lol......
    Living Room
    Fronts: RTi A7's
    Center: Csi A6 VR3 "Fortress Plus"
    Front Heights: Rti A1
    Surrounds: Rti A3
    Sub: HSU VTF-2 MK4 Damn this is a good SUB
    Pioneer Pioneer Elite: SC-35-> Emotiva XPA-3
    TV: Lg LW6500 55" Passive 3D
    Blu-Ray Panasonic BD 210
    XboX 360 Slim/Kinect

    Acoustimac red suede panels
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  • SpiderMan1
    SpiderMan1 Posts: 10
    edited January 2012
    Out of curiosity, what frequency are you crossing ?
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