Tactile Transducer Comparison
I collected this data on the Aura, Clark, and RBH tactile transducers in my
search to decide which product to buy. WARNING, these are manufacturers
specifications and manufacturer measurement technique can vary dramatically.
Transducer Specifications
Aura AST-2B-4 (pro)
- Usable Frequency Range: 20-80 Hz
- Resonance Frequency (fo): 40 Hz
- Effective Impedance: 4 Ohms
- Force: 15 Lbf (66.8 N) at 50 W
- Peak Force: 30 Lbf (132N) at ? W
- Continuous Rated Power: 50 W RMS
- Max power: 75W RMS
- Size: 6.2 (diameter), 2.2 (height)
- Frame Size: 5.4"W x 2.2"H
- Weight: 3 lbs.
- This is also the Alpine SWS-BE45 BASS ENGINE
- Link: http://www.aurasystems.com
Aura AST-1B-4 (regular, non-pro)
- Frequency Range: 20-100 Hz
- Effective Impedance: 4 Ohms
- Resonance Frequency (fo): 42 Hz
- Force: 10 LBf (44.5 N) at 25 W
- Peak Force: 20 Lbf (89N) at ??? 50W ???
- Continuous Rated Power: Nominal 25 W RMS
- Max power: 50W RMS
- Resonant Spring: 2 molded nylon/plastic spiders with 3 spokes
- Voice Coil: single layer, 3" diameter, the voice coil is fixed and the
magnet is the moving mass in the middle. Xmax ~= Xsus = 1/8".
- Moving Mass: magnet cylinder 3" diameter by 1" height.
- Size: 4.75" (diameter), 2.35" (height)
- Frame Size: 5.4"w x 2.2"h ???
- Weight: 2.5 lbs. (my scale says 2 15/16 pounds)
- Magnet Type: Ceramic
- It is suspected that Aura has dumped this product in favor of the more
powerful PRO model.
- Link: http://www.aurasystems.com
ButtKicker (original, now discontinued)
- Frequency Range: 5-200 Hz
- Resonance Frequency: 9 Hz
- Effective Impedance: 4 Ohms
- Min power: 350W
- Continuous power: 700W
- Max power: 1200W peak
- Size: 7" x 7" round x 12" high, (approx. football sized)
- Weight: 16 pounds
- Resonant Spring: NONE, magnetic suspension?
- Voice Coil: NONE, they claim "it uses an enclosed magnetic suspension
system" which is patented. Hmmmm, a voice coil is an electro-magnet.
- Xmax: 2" (~50mm) (peak to center)
- Moving mass: 3 pounds steel piston
- Mounting: Designed to mount to the floor, it is too big to mount in
furniture.
- Cost: $799 MSRP (discontinued)
- They also have a product called the ButtKicker AirPump, don't know what
it is and I don't think I want to!
- Link: http://www.thebuttkicker.com/
ButtKicker 2 "smaller, better, more responsive"
- Frequency Range: 5-200 Hz
- Resonance Frequency: 9 Hz ???
- Effective Impedance: 4 Ohms
- Min power: 400W
- Max power: 1500W peak
- Moving mass: < 3 pounds steel piston (reduced from BK 1)
- Size: 5.5" oval diameter x 5.375" high
- Weight: 11 pounds
- Resonant Spring: NONE, magnetic suspension
- Voice Coil: NONE, they claim "it uses an enclosed magnetic suspension
system" which is patented. The inner assembly has been described as an
inverse voice coil identical to how the Aura (RBH) transducers are constructed.
- Thermal Protection : limiter prevents damage due to overloading. When an
internal temperature of 150°F is reached the thermal switch is tripped and
the unit shuts down for 5 - 20 minutes (depending on ventilation) of "cooling off time."
- Orientation : vertical for optimal performance. "If installed in the
horizontal axis, some additional internal friction will result in some
distortion", but this will not damage the ButtKicker.
- Warranty : 2 years
- Cost: $399 MSRP
- Improvements: increased efficiency and power, tighter transient response
- Link: http://www.thebuttkicker.com/
Clark Transducer TST 329F
- Frequency Response: 20Hz to 17kHz audible, 5Hz to 800Hz tactile
- Continuous Rated Power: 135W RMS (poly switch protected)
- Instantaneous Peak Power: 200W
- Transduction Force:
2.8 pounds per watt,
(65Hz @ 300lbs/ft at max RMS rating)
- Magnet Assembly: 20 ounce Neodymium Iron Boride (MGO=38.9),
- Heat Transfer Fluid: Ferrofluidics
- Impedance: 4 ohm or 8 ohm as requested
- Resonant Frequency: 65 Hz.
- Resonant Spring: injection molded Lexan poly carbonate domes.
- Dimensions: 8" diameter x 2" height
- Moving Mass: manufacturer claims 4.5 pound moving mass and Xmax ~= 1/2"
- Link: http://www.clarksynthesis.com
Clark Transducer TST 229F
- similar to the Clark Transducer TST NEO 329-F but $200 less expensive.
- Frequency Response: 35Hz to 17kHz audible, 15Hz to 800Hz tactile
- Continuous Rated Power: 100W RMS (poly switch protected)
- Instantaneous Peak Power: 200W
- Transduction Force: 1.6 lbs/watt
- Magnet Assembly: 20 ounce ceramic magnet structure (MGO=3.5)
- Resonant Surface: injection molded Cyrex which is an alloy of
poly carbonate and acrylic.
- Resonant Frequency: 75 Hz.
- Manufacturers quote: "The new under $300 model produces about 80% of the exhilarating tactile force of its predecessor."
- Link: http://www.clarksynthesis.com
Clark Transducer TST 3710WT
- similar to the Clark Transducer TST NEO 329-F but more expensive and
waterproof.
- Frequency Response: 20Hz to 17kHz audible, 5Hz to 800Hz tactile
- Continuous Rated Power: 135W RMS (poly switch protected)
- Instantaneous Peak Power: 200W
- Transduction Force: 3.5 ft lbs/W
- Magnet Assembly: 25 ounce neodymium (MGO=37)
- Link: http://www.clarksynthesis.com
Crowson Tech TES 100
- Frequency Response: 1Hz to 500Hz
- Minimum Power recommended: 50W RMS
- Maximum Power recommended: 500W RMS
- Nominal Impedence: 6 ohms
- Moving mass: your mass + furniture mass
- Overload protection circuit: 180°F trip temperature
- Magnet material: neodym
- Transducer weight: 3.5 lbs.
- Size: 5.7" x 4.8" x 1.1"
- Installation: place between floor and furniture feet (no modifications)
- Cost: $349 for one, $649 for two. MSRP
- Notes: Not a shaker but a true actuator that moves whatever is placed on
it. The TES 100 spring is non linear at its end points so it doesn't "bottom
out."
- Link: http://www.crowsontech.com
Aura Interactor Vest
- strapped on just like a backpack. Good transfer of vibrational energy
due to good coupling to the body.
- specifications unknown, suspected to be a lower power version of Aura's Bass Shaker.
- transducer element: 3 - 4 ohm, capable of 25W RMS, shorter voice coil than Aura Bass Shaker, gold in color.
Bass Shaker or RBH transducer, slightly less moving mass.
- separate amplifier: gain control and A/B game signal decoding (concept
that never took off), cheesy noise gate and sub harmonic synthesizer / 4X octave
divider, 12W output (7V, 4ohm) with minor clipping, 30W output (11V, 4ohm) with
major clipping, amp isn't the cleanest (low SNR), decent heat sinkage with two
black power transistors. My first Aura Interactor amp died shortly after I got
it, so far the second one is still working.
- It would be nice if the amplifier module had a low pass filter (LPF) like
what is in a crossover so that the high frequencies could be easily
attenuated.
- The Aura Interactor was aimed at the early teen video game market, it
wasn't commercially successful, now found at closeout shops.
- Cost: $20, MSRP $150
- Resonant Spring: 2 PCB-like material spiders with 3 spokes
- Voice Coil: single layer, 3" diameter, the voice coil is fixed and the
magnet is the moving mass in the middle. Xmax > Xsus = slightly < 1/8".
- Moving Mass: magnet cylinder 3" diameter by 11/16" height.
- Many deaf individuals have purchased surplus Aura Interactors for the
purpose of adding a tactile effect to TV and movie watching. What a
wonderful application for such a bizzaire and ill fated product.
- Aura also made an Interactor Pillow, the amplifier module looks similar
to the one in the interactor vest. My guess is the transducer element is also
the same. The Interactor Pillow is also found at close out shops.
Odysee Kinetic Home Entertainment of Quebec
- four actuators, one in each corner of your couch, physically lifts your
couch up in the air like a hydraulic low-rider.
- system comes supplied with CD-ROMs that contain motion cues for some
popular movies on DVD (currently 30 - 40), it is believed they sync up to the
time code embedded in the AC3 stream.
- wired to a "D-box" details unknown, but it is suspected to be an high
power amplifier integrated with simple computer, CD-ROM, CPU, sound card with
SPDIF input for AC3
- Cost: $15,000
Panasonic Brain Shaker Extreme
- "A Subwoofer for Your Head."
- small Tactile Transducer mounted on Walkman-like headphones
- built-in amp in main unit boosts bass in the 50Hz range
- Magnet Assembly: 14.8mm (9/16") Neodymium driver units
- Frequency response: 10 Hz - 25kHz
- Cost: $45 (now sold separately)
- Link: http://www.prodcat.panasonic.com
Phillips "Resonators"
- Other specifications unknown.
- Effective Impedance: 16 Ohms
- Continuous Rated Power: 30 W RMS
- Max power: 60W
- Cost: $37/pair
- "thin, and round and ugly"
- OEM'd from Sammisound
- Sammisound also made the Volcano transducer
Shakers by PSL
- All specifications and details unknown.
RBH FX-80 SubSonic Transducer
- Bandwidth - 15Hz to 90Hz
- Maximum Power - 150 W
- Force - 70ft.Lbs @ 50 W
- Impedance - 4 Ohms
- Size - 4.75" Dia x 2.75" H
- Weight - 4 lbs
- Resonant Frequency: 43 Hz.
- Resonant Spring: 2 PCB-like material spiders with 3 spokes
- Voice Coil: single layer, 3" diameter, the voice coil is fixed and the
magnet is the moving mass in the middle. Xmax > Xsus = slightly < 1/8".
- Moving Mass: magnet cylinder 3" diameter by 1 12/16" height.
- the RBH FX-80 has a longer voice coil and more moving mass than the Aura
Bass Shaker.
- OEM'd from Aura
- Note that the max power, bandwidth, and force claims are highly suspicious
and RBH has been unwilling to discuss how they came up with these numbers.
- Link: http://www.rbhsound.com
Rolen Star Audio Transducer (RSAT)
- Bandwidth: 20Hz - 20kHz +/-3dB, full range
- Maximum Power: 100W RMS
- Continous Power: 50W RMS
- Magnet: 2 lb Alcino Ferrite
- Voice Coil: 1" edgewound aluminum with Ferro Fluid
- Impedence: 8 ohms
- Size: 4" dia x 1.75" H
- Weight: 2.2 lbs
- 5/16"in. Female threaded insert
- fully sealed Lexan plastic casing, waterproof, corrosion resistant
- 'short throw' voice coil design means not much bass.
- The better RSAT installs use RBH transducers in the 25Hz - 250Hz range.
- marketed in one form or another since 1957
- claim: "Intense imaging, tactile association, yet a 60% reduction in SPLs"
- sold only to dealers for professional invisible installs.
- Link: http://www.invisiblestereo.com
Specification Comparison
name |
cost |
continuous power |
max power |
frequency response |
resonant frequency |
impedence |
force (ft lbs) |
size |
Aura regular |
$50 |
25W |
50W |
20 - 100 Hz |
42 Hz |
4 ohms |
10 @25W |
4.75x2.35 |
Aura pro |
$100 |
50W |
75W |
20 - 80 Hz |
40 Hz |
4 ohms |
15 @50W |
5.4x2.2 |
Clark 229F |
$300 |
100W |
200W |
15 - 17kHz |
75 Hz |
4/8 ohms |
80 @50W |
8x2 |
Clark 329F |
$500 |
135W |
200W |
5 - 17kHz |
65 Hz |
4/8 ohms |
140 @50W |
8x2 |
Clark 3710WT |
$700 |
135W |
200W |
5 - 17kHz |
? Hz |
4/8 ohms |
175 @50W |
8x2 |
RBH |
$150 |
150W |
- |
15 - 90 Hz |
43 Hz |
4 ohms |
70 @50W |
4.75x2.75 |
Force / Cost Analysis
name |
cost |
continuous power |
force |
max force |
$ / max force |
Aura regular |
$50 |
25W |
0.4 ft lb/W |
10 ft lb |
$5.00 / ft lb |
Aura pro |
$100 |
50W |
0.3 ft lb/W |
15 ft lb |
$6.67 / ft lb |
Clark 229F |
$300 |
100W |
1.6 ft lb/W |
160 ft lb |
$1.88 / ft lb |
Clark 329F |
$500 |
135W |
2.8 ft lb/W |
378 ft lb |
$1.32 / ft lb |
Clark 3710WT |
$700 |
135W |
3.5 ft lb/W |
472 ft lb |
$1.48 / ft lb |
RBH |
$130 |
150W |
1.4 ft lb/W |
210 ft lb |
$0.62 / ft lb |
shake for the buck (normalized)
name |
number |
cost |
watts |
force |
Aura regular |
20 |
$1000 |
500W |
200 ft lbs |
Aura pro |
10 |
$1000 |
500W |
150 ft lbs |
Clark 229F |
3 |
$900 |
300W |
480 ft lbs |
Clark 329F |
2 |
$1000 |
270W |
756 ft lbs |
Clark 3710WT |
1 |
$700 |
135W |
472 ft lbs |
RBH |
7 |
$910 |
1050W |
1470 ft lbs !? |
Disclaimer: Again let me repeat, the above charts are calculations based
solely on manufacturers specs, and since the different manufacturers have
different philosophies on how these specifications are measured, the above
comparison is utterly worthless. So basing a purchasing decision completely
on these tactile performance comparisons and not on any other criteria would
be foolish.
Some manufacturer supplied frequency response charts:
Note that the Aura Bass Shaker chart's Y axis is linear scale while the
Clark's is logarithmic (dB). So while the charts may look very different
they are in fact very similar.
Read the Tactile Transducer FAQ.