Tactile Transducers / Bass Shakers

Discussion in 'General Audio Discussion' started by Luckbad, Dec 30, 2015.

  1. Luckbad

    Luckbad Traded in a unicorn for a Corolla

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    By now, most of you know that I'm a basshead. Bass-heavy headphones aren't quite enough, so I'm diving into the real of tactile transducers.

    I recently reviewed some upcoming headphones called Taction Kannons that are super promising as far as headphones go, but I also value versatility (particularly because I love how my JVC HA-DX2000 and Sennheiser HD650s sound).

    I currently have a SubPac S2 strapped to my chest (because it's better this way even though it's supposed to be strapped to my chair, plus it makes my wife look at me funny). It's pretty epic, but it's a bit uncomfortable to lean against and strapping it on and off my chest is pretty derpy.

    So I also have a ButtKicker Gamer2 on the way as a chair post option.

    And an ADX Maximus on the way as an under chair mount option (it'll probably end up on the recliner).

    And something from Clark Synthesis (TBD).

    I'd like to try some cheaper options like the Aurasound Bass Shakers, Dayton Audio Pucks, Reckhorn BS-200, and Visaton; and perhaps a more expensive option like the Sonic Immersion IBEAM, Crowson Shadow-8, or Earthquakes.

    Does anyone use these in a home theater or listening room setup?

    Drop the bass!
     
    Last edited: Dec 30, 2015
  2. uncola

    uncola Friend

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    Luckbad I had an original subpac. it made my chair SO uncomfortable and I didn't feel like it added for music. it was more of an enhancer for first person shooters. Never had one of the chair mounted transducers but it seems like it would be fun for movies/games
    would be interested in hearing how the buttkicker gamer2 is for games/action movies though
     
  3. Cryptowolf

    Cryptowolf Repping Chi Town - Friend

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    Living in a condo, I can't take advantage of the nice 2.1 set-up I have. I've dabbled with older generation bass shakers and found them lacking. Think things like the old Panasonic x-shakers and other bass head cans.

    For now, I enjoy the simulation from Out of Your Head. Not nearly the same as chest-thumping bass, but the simulation works well enough without pissing off the wife, dogs, and neighbors.
     
  4. Claritas

    Claritas Friend

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    Look into flight simulator chairs. I'm not joking. They're pretty advanced, so there's probably some way to connect it to an audio system.
     
  5. Luckbad

    Luckbad Traded in a unicorn for a Corolla

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    Reading about racing setups is what got me really interested.
     
  6. lm4der

    lm4der A very good sport - Friend

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  7. Luckbad

    Luckbad Traded in a unicorn for a Corolla

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    Yeah, but they sound like manure.
     
  8. lm4der

    lm4der A very good sport - Friend

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    I actually listened to these, as a young nephew of mine has a pair. I can confirm, they have a distinctly manure-like sound. If manure is not your preference, then I withdraw the recommendation.
     
  9. uncola

    uncola Friend

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    Luckbad this might be the true future of tactile transducers, electro muscular stimulation vr haptic feedback suits

    imagine feeling the beat throughout your entire body, could be the easiest way to simulate giant wall of subs in a club
     
  10. gixxerwimp

    gixxerwimp Professional tricycle rider

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    @Luckbad: How do you have your SubPac wired up? Do you have two outputs on your amp or are you using a y-splitter. I read somewhere (innerfidelity?) that passing the signal through the device alters/degrades the audio.

    I was considering one a while back but put it on the back burner. Now that I have the HD650, I'm in the same boat as you, maybe just not as nut-sack-shaker crazy.
     
  11. Luckbad

    Luckbad Traded in a unicorn for a Corolla

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    I tried lots of configurations and settled on giving the SubPac its own output via a cheap Sabrent USB sound card so it has its own volume control.

    I can split the signal with VB-Audio in Windows or linked zones in JRiver.
     
  12. Luckbad

    Luckbad Traded in a unicorn for a Corolla

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    Kinda awesome. Time to research diy haptic feedback suits.
     
  13. Luckbad

    Luckbad Traded in a unicorn for a Corolla

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  14. MF_Kitten

    MF_Kitten Banned per own request

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    That sounds hilariously similar to the vibrator test! To test sex toys, supposedly you set them to full blast and dip the tips into a glass of water to see how much they splash :p
     
  15. Benny-x

    Benny-x New

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    I read about these before and from what I saw the Clark Synthesis ones were supposed to be the best in the home theratre world. If I could still find the link to a home theatre test rig a guy built and then videoed all of them, I'd post it. I'm a believer in them, but I'm not sure how to get it going nicely with a hi-fi rig vs. home theatre.

    Anyway, what'd you find, that post was likew 4 months ago...
     
  16. Luckbad

    Luckbad Traded in a unicorn for a Corolla

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    Yeah, I've been in deep crunch at work ever since.

    The short version:

    The Clarks are the best.

    You need a power amp for them specifically, and you need to have a way to output to that amp from your source (e.g. an RCA splitter). They need to be mounted to something like the wood underneath a recliner to work correctly, but when they are they're awesome.

    I only mounted them to a crappy wooden stool I bought to specifically test them out.

    The ADX Maximus is like 75% of the way there at much lower cost.
     
  17. Out Of Your Head

    Out Of Your Head Friend

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    @Luckbad Thanks for starting this thread. I just found it.
    Anyway, I am always looking for "basshead" options since people who use Out Of Your Head often ask me about enhanced bass options. I think for movies, the extra bass or that last lower octave really helps the 5.1 or 7.1 experience.

    I have the original SUBPAC S1. I actually really like it. I find it has to be dialed down to almost zero in order for it to feel realistic rather than gimmicky, but once dialed in, I find it greatly enhances both movies and music especially with Out Of Your Head.

    I don't run the audio through the SUBPAC to the headphone amp. I split the signal or use a DAC with multiple outputs.

    I am interested to hear about the other tactile transducers. Just curious if they all have "frequency response" rather than just shaking. What I mean is that, can you "feel" actual notes and bass lines as opposed to just shaking? A friend of mine had a Buttkicker on his gaming rig and it pretty much was just on or off, vibrate or no vibration. Yes, it could adjust it's intensity or the amount of shaking, but it couldn't shake at different frequencies so it wasn't very convincing. It was like stiing on a vibrating chair.

    Thanks,
    -Darin
     
  18. Luckbad

    Luckbad Traded in a unicorn for a Corolla

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    The Buttkicker doesn't really have frequency response. The Clark does, and the ADX sorta does.

    I had a SubPac S2 and it is very good at replicating frequency response/vibrations, but I found it really uncomfortable to sit against. I was strapping it to my chest, and that was... awkward.

    The Taction Kannons are awesome at conveying accurate frequency response.
     
  19. uncola

    uncola Friend

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    Yeah I had to get rid of my subpac it was very uncomfortable to sit against. and I'm not as comfortable with strap-ons as Luckbad ;)
     
  20. Arnotts

    Arnotts New

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    Using a Subpac S2. Using the RCA outputs from the Mjolnir 2 and an RCA to 3.5mm cable to the line input on the Subpac. This means that the Mjolnir 2 is a pre-amp for the Subpac - all I have to do is dial in the correct intensity on the Subpac itself and then forget about it. If I want to increase the volume to my headphones, I'll get an equivalent increase in "volume" for the Subpac so that it stays in sync.

    Setting up the S2 properly and getting used to the sensation of bone conduction for bass is worthwhile. The results are absolutely phenomenal. The sync between the bass in my headphones (which provides no physical impact) and the physical sensation of the Subpac flowing from your back throughout your body is absolutely excellent. It makes music (as well as all other forms of media) feel even more immersive and 3D. I like to have bass from the Subpac that feels like a perfect extension of the bass in my headphones, and that's how I've dialed in the intensity knob. This thing can be SERIOUSLY accurate in representing what's going on in the low end, especially when combined with a good DAC.

    The results you get from the Subpac are, imo, down to how much effort you put into actually getting it set up the way that works well for YOU. I have absolutely no issues with comfort with the Subpac. In fact, I find that it helps maintain decent posture while being seated.

    I used to be a bit of a bass head and was searching for headphones that provided the bass that I was craving. Turns out that I was just craving the physical sensation of bass. Since the S2 + Gungnir Multi Bit + Mjolnir 2, I have no more desire to test out other ways of getting more/better bass - I have absolutely no need to.

    FWIW my headphones of choice are Paradox Slants, HD800's (EQ'd and using a good copper cable) and HD650's (modded).
     

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