PC games are becoming more advanced these days, implementing better visuals and audio for a complete entertainment experience. Games are starting to make their way into the living room and the family home theater, as many PC games and consoles feature Dolby Digital and other sound positioning technologies. Many games and DVD movies feature Low Frequency Effects (the low rumble you hear in an IMAX movie) to complete the “theater at home” experience, but mostly go unheard in the average home theater and gaming setup. Home theater and gaming enthusiasts will both be pleased with this great new product from The Guitammer Company Inc: The ButtKicker Gamer. It ties inline with your sound system to finally allow you to “feel” the bass with similar technology used in professional movie theaters, and aims to make the PC gaming and multimedia experience that much better.
What is a ButtKicker?
The ButtKicker is a small, linear motor, which reacts to an audio signal sent by an amplifier. It is similar to a loudspeaker, but instead of moving a cone, and transferring sound waves through the air, it attaches to seats and floors, and sends low frequency sound directly into the listener’s body. The effect is amazing.
It takes two senses to perceive full range sound. We hear sound, but we also feel sound, especially low frequency. Traditionally, it takes big speakers, moving tremendous amounts of air, to feel the low frequency of sound. People like loud concerts because they want to feel the sound pressure in their bodies.
The ButtKicker reproduces the feeling range of audio in a more direct way than through air. The perception is actually better and sound pressure disappears. When using headphones, for example, with a ButtKicker, the listener perceives powerful, musically accurate, concert-level audio, but no one else hears anything. The sound is completely isolated to the listener.
This becomes very interesting for music monitoring and recording studios. We have several dozen of the top touring bands this summer using ButtKickers for stage monitoring. The ButtKicker gives them complete control over their mix and sound level, without sacrificing any quality. Most musicians tell us immediately that they hear better and play better with the ButtKicker.
In a recording studio, the ButtKicker allows for low volume, incredible isolation.. and, because the ButtKicker was designed to be musically accurate, to fractions of frequencies, studio engineers are finding that their mixes are coming out tighter, cleaner and better balanced.
When the ButtKicker gamer arrived I was ecstatic about trying this thing out. It arrived very well packaged in a very attractive display box, which has helpful pictures for installation. The packing is very secure and separated for organization and a clean presentation. The wires that are packed in the separate box inside the package will give you several options to utilize the ButtKicker gamer system.
Below is the product description and specifications taken from the downloadable ButtKicker Gamer brochure:
For workplace or home, the ButtKicker Gamer attaches to most standard center post chairs. Feel the low end without making the room loud. Turn down or turn off your subwoofer and still feel all the bass you want. Experience powerfull bass even while using headphones. Ideal for apartment or domitory use.
- PC and Mac Computers: Works with or without a digital sound card and can be part of a 5.1, 4 or 2 speaker system
- Gaming Consoles: Use with Xbox, PlayStation 2 and GameCube
- Designed to be responsive and aggressive, the ButtKicker Gamer answers the need for both accurate low frequency response and maximum tactile effect.
- Digital music playback, gaming and computer entertainment, have never been so realistic or intense.
- Virtually indestructible and maintenance free. With a patented magnetic suspension system, and a thermal switch for heat protection, the ButtKicker Gamer provides tremendous power and longevity.
- Package includes ButtKicker Gamer, 100 watt Gamer Amplifier and all necessary cables and wires.
- The “Easy Clamp” mechanism allows you to quickly attach and detach the ButtKicer to your home or office chair
ButtKicker Gamer Specifications & Contents
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When I first opened the package, I was met with a bright red attention flier.
For best results, and to avoid possible amplifier interference, you MUST use the enclosed Ground Loop Isolator.
Plug the red male RCS end of the Ground Loop Isolator into the “line level input” RCA jack on the back of the ButtKicker Gamer Amplifier.
- If using the Gamer for PC Gaming or with a digital music player; refer to the “PC Gaming” section of the enlosed “Quick Start Guide”.
However – Plug the red RCA mail end of the 5′ mini to RCA cable into the red female RCA end of the Ground Loop Isolator and NOT into the RCA input on the back of the ButtKicker Gamer Amplifier.
- If using the Gamer for Console Gaming, refer to the “Console Gaming” section of the enclosed “Quick Start Guide”.
However – Plug the black RCA male end of the 5′ RCA to RCA cable into the red female RCA end of the Ground Loop Isolator and NOT into the RCA input on the back of the ButtKicker Gamer Amplifier.
NOTE: The black male and female RCA ends of the Ground Loop Isolators may be used instead of the red ends BUT make sure to use the same color male and female ends when connecting the system.
First impressions
The heavy construction of the components is simply outstanding. All the pieces are individually wrapped or tied. The amplifier is decent size for a 100 watts but heat dissipation is what is all about. The cables are well protected and thick enough to withstand the many times your chair will roll over them. The instruction manual “Quick start Guide” includes many helpful pictures, and is easy to understand for the beginner.
Installation is very easy when the “Quick Installation” instructions are followed. One word of caution: know which cables you are using and isolate the unused ones. All the hookups are easy and fairly simple to find. Just ensure your connections are secure before powering up. If you do happen to purchase one of these the trouble shooting, and FAQ section on the ButtKicker website is organized and easy to use. As you can see in my install pics my configuration uses the Y-cable to come out of the computer, route to my 5.1 speadkers, and then to the ButtKicker. Basically attach the bass unit to the chair, connect the cables and go. There are also instructions to install this on your console game system.
Operation
The operation of the ButtKicker Gamer is fairly simple, but requires tuning to eliminate feedback and rattling. To tune the Gamer you will first need a movie or music with good hard bass. First start by setting the Low filter cutoff (you will want this off when watching movies). Then, using the high cutoff adjustment knob and the button to turn it on. I set my high cutoff to 110 for music listening, and just above 70 when gaming, but your preferences may be different. The whole tuning process can take up to an hour or more, and can be frustrating. While tuning if your chair lever starts to rattle, use some hobby foam rubber or cardboard.
Once the unit was tuned the way I liked it I decided to test the bass with some Battlefield 2. Holy SMOKES this thing just broadens the gaming experience. You can feel the tank fire, the grenades, and if you have it set right you can feel the chopper… The ButtKicker is sweet! DVD movie effects are just like in a good theater, and responds to the wide dynamics of the LFE track.
The ButtKicker Gamer from the Guitammer Company Inc. is an overall Ass Kicking product! The easy installation, the attractive packaging and the all around I-MAX Theater feel at home is astounding. This product is perfect for the gamer looking for the complete gaming experience. Being able to use headphones and still feel the powerful bass is very cool, will certainly be the star of your next LAN party.
We would like to think The Guitammer Company Inc. for allowing us the opportunity to review this product. And if you are interested, and need more information on this here is the link to the ButtKicker Website.
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