need some advice here, just finishing off my HT room, 12x14, 7.1 with PJ and 110" screen. I have a Paradigm 8" powered sub, had it a few years but prior to finishing this room I found it a little underwhelming with my Pio Elite vsx-01 receiver.

So I'm trying to decide if I want to go with a Clark transducer, Buttkicker or get a larger sub.

It's a dedicated man cave with speakers, screen and two movie theatre seats in there. Flooring will be anti fatigue mats (cheap, black and warm.)

Suggestions?

Another sub would help. I had three at one time (sold one for no reason). Transducer type devices are also good, but serve a different purpose (i.e., vibrate the occupant).

I love butt kickers. Its a lot cheaper than buying a new sub. If you dont think its enough, its not like it will be a waste of money. A couple butt kickers and a dayton amp will set you back less than $150.

I love butt kickers. Its a lot cheaper than buying a new sub. If you dont think its enough, its not like it will be a waste of money. A couple butt kickers and a dayton amp will set you back less than $150.

Could you tell me where? I'm interested in these, too, but they seem much, much more expensive than $150. Just the transducer here:

http://www.amazon.com/ButtKicker-BK-LFE-Frequency-Effects-System/dp/B0007P98K6/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1258668783&sr=1-3

Is more than $150.

i personally find buttkickers very distracting and add a false sense of realism. that is just me, but everytime i sit in a chair with it, i can never really focus on the movie. sub vibraitons are much more real to me, and so i would vote for another sub.

Just adding my 2c ... I absolutely love the ButtKickers. I also have 2 15-inch MFW-15s as subs (I love real bass too). I have seen that bass shakers are a love em or hate em item. I fall into the love em category. I actually miss them when at a real theater.
Another bonus is that I can turn off 1 or both of the subs late at night (wife sleeping), and still feel bass with the shakers (yes it is not the same, but it is better than nothing). But the buttkickers and amp were kind of expensive ... I have 2 in each riser platform in my theater powered by a single buttkicker amp.

i personally find buttkickers very distracting
I wonder if having the shakers on a platform vs directly attached to a chair/couch would make a difference. I can imagine how a shaker attached directly to a chair might be distracting (but I never tried it). I can only say that I find them very usefull when attached to my risers (and I play with the amp volume quite often to make sure the shaker is not too obnoxious).

I would go for another sub. My room is similar to yours (11.5' x 13.5' x 8') and I run multiple subs (six). I will never use a single sub ever again. Running multiple subs smooths out the response. It also allows me to use a higher crossover point for my small speakers, giving my speakers more headroom.

I have a decent sub (SVS PC 13 Ultra) and bass shakers in my seats. I think they make a fantastic combo but if I had to choose only one, I'd go for the sub.

I think of the bass shakers as supplementing/augmenting the sub. They give the bass just a bit more impact. We don't crank them either... they are only there for a little extra rumble and not to really shake the hell out of everyone. They add an extra dimension to the movie experience. With an underwhelming sub, I think the transducers would be more distracting.

We went with Aura Pro bass shakers. They aren't as high end as the Buttkickers or Clarks... but they are affordable ($35-40) each and get the job done. I power my six shakers with a $120 300W plate amp.

We went with Aura Pro bass shakers. They aren't as high end as the Buttkickers or Clarks... but they are affordable ($35-40) each and get the job done. I power my six shakers with a $120 300W plate amp.

Thats essentially the same setup that I am going to have, except with only 5 aura's.

Put me on the side of the fence who is pro butt rumble. To me, they add a sense of realism. I would definitely pick a normal sub if I could only add one or the other. But if you can do both, its a great compliment.

Both! I have two large subs that give tremendous output to well below 15 HZ... But I use Buttkickers as well.. It adds a more visceral feel. Highly recommended.

I agree with imarkup that bass shakers seem to be love 'em or hate 'em affairs. I'm in the hate 'em camp, so would recommend a subwoofer solution.

Could you tell me where? I'm interested in these, too, but they seem much, much more expensive than $150. Just the transducer here:

http://www.amazon.com/ButtKicker-BK-LFE-Frequency-Effects-System/dp/B0007P98K6/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1258668783&sr=1-3

Is more than $150.

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

The dayton amps are on the bottom right corner. If you only need two get the smallest amp.

I'm not a big fan of transducers either. If you get enough sub in the room, it will shake you the old fashioned way.

Bryan

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

The dayton amps are on the bottom right corner. If you only need two get the smallest amp.

Thanks. Those aren't buttkickers though; they're Aural bass shakers. Which are also good, but not buttkickers.

I love have lots of bass, spread around the room. However, unless you have a great room, this isn't beneficial to those trying to sleep upstairs (aka 2 year old or wife). That's my reason for my looking into bass shakers.

If you have an Aural bass shaker, how have you attached it to your seats/couches?

Thanks. Those aren't buttkickers though; they're Aural bass shakers. Which are also good, but not buttkickers.

I love have lots of bass, spread around the room. However, unless you have a great room, this isn't beneficial to those trying to sleep upstairs (aka 2 year old or wife). That's my reason for my looking into bass shakers.

If you have an Aural bass shaker, how have you attached it to your seats/couches?

This is how I installed my Bass Shakers in my Berkline 13175 seats:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=14740645#post14740645

i have 2 12" diy subs with a ep2500 amp. it rumbles pretty darn good.
i took the dayton sub120 that those subs replaced, and put it directly behind my chair = :eek:

so, if you have the space. put the sub you have directly by your chair and see what you think. you may not have to buy anything.