Bass Shakers on the cheap!

[Mike Schramm]

I’ve always wondered what Dirac or even Audyssey would do for my system. I’ve never had either, so I have no frame of reference as to how good what I’m hearing is or isn’t. Ignorance is bliss, I suppose.

 

[Sonnie Parker]

Well, it is more than just EQ filters... it fixes phase-related issues as well, or tries to. It takes care of phase alignment, speaker alignment (with the multi-output systems), room resonance reduction, and early reflection reduction... to an extent. I believe it does a remarkable job, and I won't have a system without it, but now I've been using it since its onset... the early guinea pig days. However, not everyone cares for it for whatever reason.

We also tested Dirac up to 500Hz and full Dirac at one of our evaluation events, where I believe we had ten or so speakers. I had Wayne and Dennis playback no Dirac, part Dirac, and full Dirac, although they did not know which preset I used for each. They had to tell me on each one, which preset they preferred. I believe it was 100% full Dirac that they preferred, although a couple of times, it was close between partial and full. The majority was full Dirac.

My first true discovery for better music was not Audyssey or Dirac. They both did wonders for me, but the most significant, most prolific learning session for me was pure speaker placement (speaking of two-channel - the two front speakers). After experimenting with the Cardas Room Setup Guide, it all started to come to light for me. We all learned that week, many years ago, that the end of the triangle was not the best listening position, but pulling those two speakers on out from the wall and placing the listening position inside the triangle, closer to the speakers... amazing soundstage, imaging, and serious depth acuity... we immersed into the music like never before. Now add Dirac... it's truly AV NIRVANA!

 

[Mike Schramm]

Alright, bass shakers purchased! I will report back with my impressions once they arrive and I get them installed. I’m pretty excited!

 

[Sonnie Parker]

Alright, bass shakers purchased! I will report back with my impressions once they arrive and I get them installed. I’m pretty excited!

What did you end up ordering?

 

[Sonnie Parker]

I order the Dayton kit from Parts Express: https://www.parts-express.com/Dayton-Audio-BSK2-Dual-Bass-Shaker-Couch-Kit-300-9025?quantity=1

They had it marked down to $374.98 with free shipping, but JANCART25 coupon code got me another $45 off.

 

[Mike Schramm]

I ordered two BST-1 bass shakers. I already have the old Sony laying around and the miniDSP up and running for the low pass filter and time alignment.

 

[Todd Anderson]

Mike, definitely take the time to make sure you have them firing up into the seat. You can see here, this person has affixed a board to the bottom of their seat.

 

[Sonnie Parker]

We got the same shakers. I just paid an extra 240 bucks for the amp, but I do like that little remote to easily turn it off if I want to take a nap while listening to music... don't want it waking me up.

I looked under my recliner and not sure I have a way to mount a board low enough to allow the shakers to clear. There is a board going across the back, just below the seat, at a slight angle up. I guess I'll try that location first and see what happens. There's another board attached to the seat back, but I'm afraid that would just make the back vibrate too much. The board down lower is attached to the bottom frame. I read where another enthusiast installed his in the arm pockets and he was happy with his, but my pockets are plastic... not sure if they are attached to any wood on the sides.

 

[Todd Anderson]

You could set them on your seat cushion and sit directly on them... that will give you some direct shake!

 

[Sonnie Parker]