I know that there is no shortage of discussion about these, but I've never known anything about shakers/transducers, and have a few questions of my own.

First, what is the overall prevailing opinion on the usage of these things. My knee jerk reaction upon reading the Buttkicker user manual was that it seems gimmicky. Althought it seems like many on here use them.

I mainly am considering one(or eventually more) for use with movie playback, as I don't think I'd really want to "physically feel" more bass with music playback than my sub provides already--maybe I'm A purist?

On the other side of the coin, if I'm going to spend the money on the Buttkicker LFE kit, I really want to feel it during bass intensive movie scenes. Can you REALLY feel this thing, or is it like sitting on a few vibrating cell phones?

All in all, just trying to decide if this would be a worthwhile addition to the HT that would provide a significantly more "engrossing" experience, or if it's just a neat novelty "take it or leave it" thing.
I'd probably just install it under the couch FWIW.

Thanks.

I have a pair of buttkickers in two of my 4 recliners. They definitely add some punch during movies, certainly more than a couple of vibrating cellphones. During the opening scene in Children of Men, the explosion literally had me and my wife jumping out of our seats.

Now the question of more/bigger subs vs buttkickers, I'd lean towards a better sub. For those of us who can't upgrade subs for cash/noise reasons, the buttkickers are a great alternative...

Chris

true.

and...

i like horn subs. i've installed a lot of the popular (non-horn) brands here for hire (SVS, HSU) and own Martin Logan speakers so i've demo'd a their subs and a lot of brands to figure what had the ability to crush and yet play 'tight' and 'fast' and horns do the trick (just add the "path length" to the normal distance calculation to figure 'speaker distance delay' on your pre/pro). and since i like to EQ things (cutting peaks) and have amps (don't need another plate amp) i've been doing DIY for a while - i've built the older Adire ported ones, numerous sealed subs, bandpass, 'w' horn ones, and for the past 2 years i've been solidly hooked on folded horns (http://www.billfitzmaurice.com/THT.html) .

but, like a lot things that deal with physics and reality" size matters. so instead of building a horn that /really/ played down to 5hz, i bought plans and built one that goes to a real 18hz and crushes, and then do the 5-20hz with a pair of LFEs. it's more efficient use of watts/space/wood.

IB subs can go down that far, but my home's layout ruled them out, but the driver cost for IBs can't be ignored (my whole sub- driver, wood, plans, adhesive, consumables costed less than one driver in many IB setups i've enjoyed reading about ($300). and sure, my horn "will play" below 20hz but looses the famous horn efficiency, unless i build 8 of them :) so that's the point, being efficient. so i let my LFEs do the 5hz on up range.

and the ButtKicker amp is a decent buy (1800W into a single load - two LFE's bridged). i've watched my power conditioner, and on huge bass hits the BK amp draws only about 3-4Amps, which is great efficiency.

edit, add: oh, and during those bass hits, no, it's not like a cell phone. i have mine not yet mounted to my couch - just using the couch feet-kit and platform for mounting the LFE and it's rather violent frankly. you'll know it's not a cell phone nor a kitten purring :)

Thanks for the replies. I currently run a single Sunfire HRS-12 with my denon 4308ci and 4 JBL l880 4 way towers. I have a lot of tweaking to do to refine the sound, but the Sunfire can pump out some bass.

All that said, I guess what I want to know is whether the Buttkicker is a worthwhile addition in terms of overall "enjoyability" of the HT experience.

If nothing else, I'd think that the wife would apppreciate things more because the "Feel" is something a little more tangible/perceivable to her than the improved SQ that I NOTICE just having upgraded and sunk ~$4000 into a new system. Not to mention, I'm sure any guests that we have over whom are not into this hobby would find the shaker to be the "neatest" part of everything. We all must admit, there is some gratificaion gained from having others think, and tell you how awesome your stuff is:D.

For real effect on a futon/sofa, would I need to install 2, or is 1 good enough??

You will be pleased with the added tactile response. I can't imagine not having it now. It really adds to the realism.

Well, unless anyone else has any significantly negative feedback about using these things, my next question is:

Where is a good/cheap place to pick up the Buttkicker LFE kit??!!

I cant watch any action or LFE type movies without my 2 BK's now...These units add a dimension to movies that a sub cant IMHO, but it is amazing how well the sub and BK's work together and blend with one another. :) I have a good sub as well (12/2 Ultra), but the BK's realy juice up big LFE type scenes. I will say though that setup is key to getting the most out of these. I built a mini riser that sits only a couple inches off the ground for my couch and has the kinetic rubber isolators attached to the bottom so there is only 6 points of contact with the carpet which gives the units a nice movable supension type thing when you bolt the BK's to the platform. I would avoid the couch kit myself.

My knee jerk reaction upon reading the Buttkicker user manual was that it seems gimmicky.
HT is merely a collection of gimmicks. I find both subs and LFE's indispensable, they work together. The LFE can't cover the audible part, while very few subs run at sane levels can do what the LFE does.
Couch kit works fine if you can't do a riser. Try *mazon for deals on kits.

All that said, I guess what I want to know is whether the Buttkicker is a worthwhile addition in terms of overall "enjoyability" of the HT experience.
Yes, as you'll find searching the many threads here or reviews on the net.

I'm using the couch kit from amazon and love it. What I most like is we can turn the sub down a bit at night when the kiddo's are sleeping, and still feel completely immersed in the movie. The buttkicker effect works great and reduces the need for a cranked up sub. I sort of expected some small vibration or shaking on bomb scenes, but it's amazingly in sync with the movie. It's hard to describe, but it feels more like a true speaker response than I expected. Turned down to a reasonable level, it is quite subtle, and fairly transparent in useage (as it should be). Cranked up, it's gimmicky and fun to amuse people.

We have one couch shaker on a three person couch, it works great ('volume' level is set at about halfway) and feels even accross the whole seating area (the shaker is under one rear corner). And yes, guests think it's the coolest part of the room...

ebay if you are patient.

You know I have a whole kit still in the box. I have YET to hook it up (bought in October). Been meaning to just haven't gotten around to it. Maybe I should try it out.

Question, I have a carpet on concret floor. How is the Buttkicker for that, do I lose out cause of the carpet? Also, I read something about wireless in the product description, do I have to have this contected up the the Amp or is the BK really wireless as I'm thinking of giving this as a wedding present to my friend and they have hardwood floors.

Thanks.

Question, I have a carpet on concret floor. How is the Buttkicker for that, do I lose out cause of the carpet? Also, I read something about wireless in the product description, do I have to have this contected up the the Amp or is the BK really wireless as I'm thinking of giving this as a wedding present to my friend and they have hardwood floors.

Thanks.

What you will do if you use the couch kit is use the rubber isolators that come in the kit to support and level your couch by putting the isolators under the feet. If you decide to go with a riser of some sort, you can buy kinetic rubber isolator feet designed specific for lifting/supporting your seating platform.

My mini riser that I built sits on a carpet over concrete slab floor and works extremely well. The couch kit, while not quite as effective as a riser of some sort, will still work good.

check out more info here...

http://www.thebuttkicker.com/support/faq.htm#Carpet

Question, I have a carpet on concret floor. How is the Buttkicker for that, do I lose out cause of the carpet?
No, you're looking to isolate the couch from the floor anyway. Those rubber feet are extremely important, as they let the couch vibrate without being grounded to the floor.

Also, I read something about wireless in the product description, do I have to have this contected up the the Amp or is the BK really wireless
The wireless link goes between the receiver and the amp. The amp still needs to be wired to the transducer, of course, but it lets you put the amp behind the couch (for example).

Aura Bass Shakers from Parts express.

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=299-028

you can not go wrong for $40!!

Just screw them into your seats and run wire back to your amp...very simple. I just wonder if there is much difference between those and the buttkickers?

Aura Bass Shakers from Parts express.

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=299-028

you can not go wrong for $40!!

Just screw them into your seats and run wire back to your amp...very simple. I just wonder if there is much difference between those and the buttkickers?
Absolutely. The Auras are fun and cheap, but the LFE kit's in another class. Piston's nowhere near the size, and the Fs is more than an octave higher. Having them screwed right under the seat (as they really need to be being weaker) is more localizable than using the BK on a riser or even the couch kit. I tried the Auras first, then went to the LFE.

Aura Bass Shakers from Parts express.

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=299-028

you can not go wrong for $40!!

Just screw them into your seats and run wire back to your amp...very simple. I just wonder if there is much difference between those and the buttkickers?

I use these. They work great on my recliners with one each. I have two on my sofa, but more seems to be necessary there.