The Jurassic Couch
I have a tactaholic tendency, that's why I am here at Clark Synthesis Tactile Sound. I love my home theater watching movies and to getting totally into a film. That's what home theater is supposed to do, Òsuspend disbeliefÓ. By adding the element of touch, an accurate tactile feeling of the events on screen we bring that goal one giant T Rex step closer to the ultimate goal of suspending disbelief! I have found a fun and Dino size way to set up a couch. The system can be done relatively inexpensive at the low cost of $600 for three TST229s or the over-the-top setup (my favorite way) for about $1800, plus amplification. Three separate amplifier channels will be needed.
Why Three TST's?
Many people have asked me how I set up my own system and what I like, the best way to get the best effect etc. I have come up with the ultimate way of installing TSTs in a couch. I call it the ÒJurassic CouchÓ set-upÑutilizing three Tactile Sound Transducers! O.K.., why you ask. This is the Tim Allen more power philosophy of life more is better! Most people want to get immersed into the movie, sporting event, concert or what ever they have interest in. I have found that a whole new dimension can open up by utilizing more of the channels we all have available in home theater systems. The TST that mounts in the center couch location acquires its signal from the LFE/Sub out of the processor-receiver and the two side TST's derive their signal from the left and right front channels respectively (set to the large speaker setting)Ñalright, again why? When watching Jurassic park III in the scene where the airplane crashes into the trees and is met by a mashing acre of teeth the rolling of the aircraft while the dino is thrashing has a lot of sound effects from side to side and a fair amount of LFE/sub information this gives dynamics and dimension that makes you believe you are fighting for your life! Jumping to the finale where the escape is being attempted where the Pteranodons are chasing the survivors in the bird cage the left, right and sub channels fire at different times with very important cues to the action on screen elevating the dynamics of being chased by the giant flying rats,. The scene comes alive as does the whole movie with this set up all movies come completely alive! Clark Synthesis Tactile Sound Transducers best attributes are its output, accuracy, detail and fast response time to transients, the installation takes these highly desirable traits and accentuates them to a new level. I like to illustrate another movie U571, in any of the depth charge sequences the different channels fire at different times and in cases fire together when appropriate. This places you right inside the submarine while it is maneuvering for survival! When a depth charge goes off to the right of the submarine you get a sensation from the right channel and when the lower part of the compression from the bomb and water splash enters into the soundtrack you feel the sub channel, and right channel together. When a charge goes off in the left channel you feel it also. Now, when you get a depth charge on top in the center of the sub (the most deadly) all three channels fire giving you the dynamic increase a one or two TST setup can't reproduce and you get it allÑall the fidelity and dynamics a shaker can't even come close to and the beauty of the mounting method is that it is invisible, no plywood sheet shoved under the couch with something sticking out the back, a clean, quick, and simple install that will literally blow you and your friends away!
The next few pictures will illustrate the installation, if you have the tools and materials it will only take a few minutes and you will be able to turn your couch right side up and get involved in a movie like never before.
Enjoy,
Richard Hanson
President
Step 1: Tip seat on to its back to access frame
STEP 2:
Remove scrim cloth (this can be replaced afterward)
Step 3: Locate center of frame and decide on mounting of cross member
Step 4:
Gather needed materials and cut cross member to length
