The Cult of the Bass Shaker
Are you thinking of putting your very first bass shakers under your chair? Perhaps you're already a fan of the Aura Bass Shaker, or you worship at the Altar of the ButtKicker LFE. Whatever your desires, you're probably here because you love bass, and you lust after the physical experience of bass. I know how you feel. Welcome.
Matrix Reloaded: One of fav films to watch with bass shakers
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Experience sound through your body
The bass shaker has a cult following. Why? Because watching movies and games with a bass shaker under your chair is a physical, immersive experience. Have you seen Matrix Reloaded? If you don't have bass shakers, the low rumbles and explosions sound OK - but they lack impact. However, if you watch this film with a bass shaker under your chair, you physically feel the ruptures, fire balls, explosions and detonations as if you right there with the characters.
Which bass shaker should I buy?
I have not met a bass shaker I didn't like. I've bought el cheapo no-name bass shakers off Ebay and been very pleased with the results! However, if you're looking for something to radically enhance your home entertainment system, you can't go past the bass shakers I've listed below. These bass shakers will make your friends think you have the best sub-woofer in the world, while you can enjoy the tactile force of your movies and games without waking the neighbours (or hurting your ear drums).
Aura Bass Shaker Pro: cheap but robust and responsive
My Aura shakers have given me years of shake, and show no signs of wear and tear. They are super-robust, and made to last.
These are your no-frills shakers, at a much lower price point than competitors like the ButtKicker (read my product comparison here). There is a reason for this of course: the Aura shaker is wired, so you're going to have to deal with running wires around your room. The ButtKicker has the wireless option, which is definitely attractive but IMHO not worth the extra cash.
For more information and technical specs of the Aura, read my Quick Review.
ButtKicker LFE: pricey but packs a hell of a punch
The ButtKicker kicks the Aura's butt when it comes to frequency range. The Aura's range is 20 to 80 Hz, compared with the ButtKicker's mammoth 5 to 200Hz. That means the ButtKicker can transform really, REALLY low sounds into wonderful physical vibrations. Although the Aura range is going to serve you with more than enough flair for most music, movies and games, some recent movies have started bringing in sub-20Hz sounds, and I myself do have one ButtKicker in my gaming chair to make sure I don't miss out on the latest bass action.
More about the ButtKicker coming soon.
Buy bass shakers online?
Jerry's price watch
This is not an online store, but I check the prices regularly and put links to the best deals below. Please let me know if this price changes suddenly.
Aura Pro on sale on Amazon for 59% off.
Current price: $49.45
ButtKicker on sale on Amazon for 22% off.
Current price: $179.99
The best bass shaker?
There's no single 'best' bass shaker: you have to find a bass shaker that suits you and your personality.
However, for me, I'm an Aura man. This low cost, high impact tactile transducer is my favorite toy - it's got some amazing power, its very responsive and it doesn't cost the earth. But I know it's not for everyone. Some may be seeking the grunt and power of the more expensive brands, others may lust for a wireless shaker so they're not gaffering wires all over the floor. If you want to see why I'm a devotee, check out why I think the Aura is the best bass shaker for me.
In my experience, all the bass shakers on the market today are pretty well made: you don't need to worry about getting a dud. Different bass shakers offer different things, such as more rumble, less wires, greater usable frequency response and so on. Read my comparison of the Aura and the ButtKicker, two best-selling bass shakers on the market today.
How to install bass shakers
Installing bass shakers is THE most satisfying DIY project. Jump to 3:15 in the YouTube clip below. You will see how the bass shakers can be attached under your chairs or couch. In the example shown in the vid, the shakers are attached to a piece of wood, which is then screwed to the couch. However, if your chair or couch has wooden panels inside, you can screw the shaker straight onto the panels. For more info, check out how to install bass shakers.
