If you’re a basshead and don’t want to bother your neighbors with a big subwoofer, bass shakers are the best thing for you to add. A good bass shaker is the Clark Synthesis TST209. Most systems can handle the power. In terms of how well they work, there is no delay or distortion. Setting up is also a lot easier, which makes it easier to do.
For people who need a less powerful bass shaker, Dayton Audio has another best cheap bass shaker on the list: the TT25-8S. With a wide range of frequencies, you can easily expect “shaking” bass in terms of vibration. BK-LFE is a powerful bass shaker. If your system needs at least 400W of power, that’s a lot for other things.
Make sure you can install or drill a hole for the bass shaker on your own or get help. Most bass shakers come with everything you need to put them together, which makes it easy to put them together. However, setting up a Bluetooth speaker will not be as simple as this. When you turn the receiver of the amplifier’s knobs, you can change its bass.
Pros of using the best bass shaker:
- Lightweight (in most cases)
- Affordable
- Low profile
- Simple setup
- Variety of power
Best 7 bass shaker comparison
The following table shows major comparison between some of the best bass shakers.
Clark Synthesis TST209
Specs:
- Dimensions 8” diam. X 2.25” H
- Overload Protection Polyswitch
- Voice Coil Kapton® former
- Dome Material ABS/PBT Cevian polyalloy
This Clark Synthesis TST209 is one of the best bass shakers because it is quite powerful. Only one device is adequate for a single seat. It will make movie effects punchier and chest thumbing. ABS/PBT used in Dome ensures longevity. It works as a silent subwoofer which you can use for your own personal use. Place it vertically or horizontally without any issues.
The image above shows how you can place it in any format. For connection, all you need to do is connect the bass shaker to an amplifier. The Clark Synthesis user manual suggests a tactile transducer amplifier power of 150W-250W. These devices are ideal to set into wooden surfaces of the chair. Attach it to the frame member of hardwood bridge.
The hardwood bridge should be 0.75” thick. Place the isolation feet between the platform and floor to ensure no energy is lost. The TI-300 Isolation Foot is used with this device, which is made from metal, neoprene, rubber. It will eliminate the transfer of vibration to the floor. Other types of isolations pads are also available like TI-200 and TI-100.
Check if your receiver has a single LFE/Sub out port, then use Y adapter to connect the subwoofer and receiver. If the receiver has LF and RF ports, then connect these to the amplifier, then make connection between the amplifier to the transducer. You will find several wiring diagrams in detail into the manual. You can connect two transducers to the amplifier.
If you are used to simple DIY tasks and tweaking receivers, then the setup will take around 10 minutes. Once everything is connected, play some bass heavy songs. You will be amazed by the kick and punch to feel in your body. This will take music listening experience to another level especially for bass-lovers. Moving you budget a bit higher, you can check the Clark Synthesis TST239 Silver Tactile Transducer Bass Shaker .
It has power handing of 100W and a frequency response of 15-17kHz. The power is higher, the performance is quite good as well.
Dayton Audio TT25-8S
Specs:
- Type: tactile transducer
- Voice coil inductance: 1.30 mH @ 1 kHz
- Resonance frequency: 40Hz
Dayton Audio’s TT25-8 PUCK is one of the best affordable bass shakers. It is an 8-ohm tactile transducer has sturdy built. It is also quite easy to install on any chair or sofa. Movies and gaming become lively and realistics while giving you a punch with every kick, explosion, and blasts. Once connected, you can enjoy deeper bass without increasing the overall volume of music.
The small size of the product makes it suitable to adjust or hide in small spaces. Wiring diagram and installation procedure and written elaborately. Connect an amplifier or subwoofer amplifier to it. You can also use Lepai mini amp. You will need minimum 20W for this device. If you are a game freak and have a large chair, then connect two of these under your chair.
None of the low-end frequencies are missing and the result is quite impressive. Mounting rings are supplied with the bass shaker so that you can easily install the product. You can use them for home theater or car applications. Overall, the bass is powerful and impactful, only to the user sitting on the couch or chair.
The rest of the family or sensitive neighbors will simply hear nothing. It will suit you if you like clean setups. Compared to other conventional puck transducers, this one is cheap, lightweight and performs quite powerful. Make sure to match the impedance and power with the amp before connecting the bass shaker.
ButtKicker BK-LFE Low Frequency Effects System
Specs:
- Dimensions: 5.375” h x 5.5” w
- Wiring polarity: Red terminal is “Hot”
- Thermal Limit (internal): 150 F. (70 C.)
The Buttkicker BK-LFE is one of the best bass shakers under $300. A thermal switch saves the shaker from overheating and exceeding the limit. This happens less often if the shaker is overdriven. Once the device is cooled, that may take 5 to 20 minutes, the switch to reset to allow the shaker run as usual. At the given rated power, it is quite a powerful device.
Make sure the amp you are choosing, follow the impedance and power requirements. You can check the Buttkicker BKA1000-4 or the Dayton SA-1000 amp. It is best for music and with such a frequency response, the shaker will let you feel the depth of any track. While different isolation pads are available, make sure you understand how to choose the best one for you.
Calculate the total weight and find out the size of the pad you need. During installation, make sure to mount it vertically. With the help of patented magnetic suspension, unlike other bass shakes, it gives you the freedom to install it anywhere. You can install them on floating wood floors, chairs, platform, and risers.
This means you can use these in home theaters where you have multiple rows of chairs. Use 14-gauge speaker wire to connect between the shaker. In case you need to cover longer distance, like more than 25ft, use 12-gauge cable. Instead of acting like a subwoofer that moves air and fills up the room, this bass shaker works with low frequencies and convert them to tactile vibrations.
This is done with the help of piston. It is powerful and has a linear nature. With the help of patented magnetic suspension, unlike other bass shakers, it gives you freedom to install it anywhere. Movie effects come to ‘live’ because you can easily feel them in your bones. This makes the listening experience more immersive and enjoyable.
AuraSound AST-2B-4 Pro Bass Shaker Tactile Transducer
Specs:
- 30 LBF peak force
- Weight: 3.3lb
AuraSound AST-2B-4 is a powerful bass shaker that you can use as one or multiple units. In case you are using 2 transducers, you can connect them in parallel or series to have an impedance of 8 or 2 ohms. AuraSound user manual shows multiple wiring diagram showing how to connect these in different ways.
Whether you have carpet or floor in your house, AuraSound suggests using isolation pad between the ground and the chair. Make sure to place the device underneath the chair in the center and on smooth wooden surface. Setting up the device on home and car will be a DIY task and is much easier for users who have more or less experience of connecting wires.
These tactile transducers are best for vehicles because they have less space for a subwoofer. Music videos, movies and fighting scenes come to life and you feel it in your body and blood. As a result, you feel as if you are into the battle field surviving explosions. It ensures optimum bass performance without any distortion.
Simply connect the device to the matched amp or receiver and start playing. The device will start vibrating following the music beats. These are quite affordable so if you have a home theater with multiple seats, you can seat, you can set one under each. Movies are enjoyable because you will feel the vibration with anything that moves especially low frequency effects.
Tweaking and setting up frequency, volume and others need to be performed with the amplifier or receiver. At this price point, you really get more than what you pay for.
Earthquake Sound MQB-1 Pro Low Frequency Effects Transducer
Specs:
- Dimension: 3.4″x2.64″x3.5″
- Aluminium voice coil
If you look at the appearance of the Earthquake Sound MQB-1 Pro, you will see it looks quite different from the others. You don’t have to worry about maintenance because it has sturdy aluminum alloy on the outer side. It ensures thermal stability as well. Inside, you will find inverted Neodymium magnet. It also ensures there is no delay between what you hear and what you feel.
You can install them in theater chairs, recliners, sofas, Military Training, recording studios, etc. use one of the methods of mounting options: Direct, Multiplier, External, Internal. You can run it for longer hours without worrying that it will get hotter. The heat sink improves the overall performance ensuring stability. Subsonic bass frequencies are felt once you seat on the chair that is attached to this device.
It uses 3D motion technology to ensure the shakers deliver the best chest thumping vibration. You can use theEarthquake XJ300ST amplifier . These devices are very effective, has minimalist setup and gives the best performance silently. Punches and gunshots become realistic.
So, although these are not producing sound, they give the illusion by vibration to feet the sound or a part of a scene. In case you don’t have such high budget, then you can check the Sonic Immersion VT200 IBEAM Transducer . It delivers crystal clear bass, that is, in terms of vibration.
The build quality is impressive, and it looks more like a square box. With a power handling of 100RMS and frequency response of 20-800Hz, the tactile vibrations are more pronounced, and you can feel then in bones.
Parting words
The reason to purchase one of the best bass shakers is because you want to feel the bass and at the same time doesn’t want to bother sleeping kids or wife at home. Sometimes having multiple speakers and subwoofers isn’t always a WAF. So, the best way to feel the low-ends is your body rather than room-filling with one or two subwoofers.
The purpose of bass shakers is to avoid airborne vibrations and use the following way to spread the vibration: Deep tissue and muscle mass, Skeletal Joints, Skin Sensation and Bone Conduction. These Tactile Transducers are often used in home theaters instead of a sub, military simulators, theme parks, game chairs, etc.
Gaming or movie effects like explosions, gunshots, footsteps are more vivid and vibrant. While installing, simply follow the instructions on the manual. Place the bass shaker on the center of your seat and if you are using two, place them at an equal distance. AuraSound AST-2B-4 is another affordable bass shaker, if you don’t want to use the Dayton. If you budget is higher, look for Earthquake.
FAQ
This FAQ is here to solve your problems that may arise while using these types of subwoofers.
How to set up a bass shaker?
Bass shakers are often installed under chair, on a smooth wooden surface. The rest of the work is attaching the device with multiple screws. Different models have a slightly different setup.
Can I use a bass shaker along with a subwoofer?
Well, definitely you can. You can connect a subwoofer then use a bass shaker to feel it. If you receiver has a single sub out, use a Y adaptor for connection.
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