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.