Customer Reviews

ButtKicker BKA300 Wireless Home Theater Kit with ButtKicker Advance and Power Amplifier

5 star:		(30)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

We set this up to supplement our home theater system, which is run by a Pioneer VSX84TSXi A/V receiver and also uses a Polk subwoofer. The Buttkicker kit comes with the transducer itself, plus the amplifier for the unit, a long heavy duty speaker cable, a single-line RCA cable for signal connection, an RCA splitter for co-existence with a subwoofer, foot extension pads for the host couch and a remote control for the amplifier. Also included were a remote transmission system in case the transducer amplifier and your receiver are too far apart for the cable, and a four-line combiner if your receiver does not have a subwoofer channel (neither of which I used).

The kit as a whole consists of components packed together that are normally sold individually, so it was mildly confusing at first to piece together which parts would be needed for my system. There is a simple set of instructions for the overall kit, but it does not cover all installation possibilities.

Also, our home theater is idiosyncratic in that our couch is a sectional; the Buttkicker is really best meant to be attached to on a regular couch. The Buttkicker kit comes with five couch foot extension pads, so I had to supplement the kit with an extra rubber foot I scrounged up. I mounted the transducer unit at the back junction of two sectional units. I placed the unit amplifier on top of my receiver, ran the provided speaker cable behind my couch and connected the RCA cable (via the splitter) to the subwoofer channel of the Pioneer unit.

The first thing I did was to listen to the receiver's test tones. The subwoofer channel was a low shaking of the couch from the white noise, and demonstrated that the unit was working properly. I was worried that the large sectional would decrease its effect, but a rumbling was clear and it complemented the sound from the Polk subwoofer well.

For test media, I used a download of Star Trek from the iTunes store (with a 5.1 track) and the Extended Edition of The Fellowship of the Ring on DVD (with a 6.1 DTS track). The DVD player was connected to the Pioneer unit with a mini-TOSlink cable. The warp drive of the Enterprise came through splendidly, as did the battle rumbles and great roars of the Tolkien movie. For surround media sources, it's a welcome addition to our system. For plain vanilla stereo media without surround sound, it just shuts off automatically after five minutes of no surround input.

I have two other quibbles about the set aside from the confusing installation process that keep me from rating it higher. The first is that the remote control's battery died after a day. The remote does not use a standard battery, so we have not replaced it yet. This is particularly a problem because the remote is essential to switch between the Buttkicker's various frequency response modes, such as "music", "movies" and "games." There is no way to select these choices on the base unit without the remote. Also, there is no visual feedback for the volume settings, merely touch switches for raising and lowering it. It would be nice to know if I have lowered or raised the volume completely before I begin playback.

Overall, this is a good, if mildly pricy, product. The complexity of the setup makes it somewhat less than perfect for the not-so-technically savvy. For home theater enthusiasts for whom the price tag and the difficult installation process are not so much of an issue, however, it would be a very good way to increase the excitement of a home theater system.

If you found this review helpful, please let me know.

I purchased the ButtKicker BKA300 based on prior reviews here. This is my first time owning one of these systems. The intended purpose of was for more immersive movie-watching and playing on a PS3. The kit was setup with a HDTV using the line out on the TV using a Y-adapter to split between it and a 2.1 (two satellites one sub) speaker set. The rumble unit was setup under one of the four rear legs of a three-person sofa.

Watching live concert music on the Palladia channel really gives the feeling of being there. I started noticing that on regular TV programming one can hear muffled sound on most dialog as if the sofa was the speaker. This is a bit distracting, and an annoyance that could be addressed by sound proofing the furniture a bit.
The blu-ray version of The Dark Knight has some loud low frequency passages that causes a loud metallic thump. At first I though it was bouncing against the furniture or floor, so I took a couple of mouse pads as a quick fix test and put them in between the floor and another between the rumble platform and the sofa, but it did not fix the problem. I then watched Pirates of the Caribbean, again on blu-ray, fortunately not much of an issue here.

Gaming on the PS3 was another issue. Playing Call of Duty 4 with the rumble kit really brings gaming to a whole new level. Unfortunately, once I went online, grabbed a sniper rifle and aimed at someone, every heart beat the game produces started causing the metallic thump. I had someone else play while I tried troubleshooting the problem and noticed it was coming from inside the rumble module as if it was bottoming out. A few days later a family member was playing Resistance 2 and the module was not working. It had stopped working within an hour of playing, and was very hot to the touch. Once it cooled it worked again so it appears that it disables to prevent damage. I tried multiple settings for several days, lowering the "volume" on the amplifier, selecting different modes (music,movie,game,) but was not able to fix the problem.

Ultimately, I decided to return the unit. Really disappointing, I recently learned from reviews of the bigger brother (400 watts min, 1100 watts max) unit also bottoms out; this one is 50 watts. I may still give it a cautious try.

I've been enjoying my ButtKicker for five months now. The build quality impressed me and the instructions for installation are easy to follow. I've used it with Blu-ray discs/DVDs, an Xbox, and a Wii. To say that it adds another dimension to one's home theater is an understatement. As a gamer, I was blown away. The vibrations are proportionate to what is happening in the game. For example, while playing a WWII shooter, grenades resonate more strongly than bullets, etc. Also, being able to in essence, feel the proximity of an enemy adds an amazing degree of realism. Surprisingly, games on the Wii in Pro Logic II were just as impressive as Xbox games in digital 5.1. Using the ButtKicker with movies feels like being at an IMAX. I was concerned I might be disturbing neighbors when I watched The Dark Knight for the first time using the ButtKicker as it was so intense. My neighbors in the apartments below me and those next door said they heard nothing. I haven't spent a great deal of time using the ButtKicker with music but as was the case with movies and games, it delivers. That said, there are a couple things to consider before purchasing. As stated on their website, the BKA300 can't be expanded. So know going in that this will work with only one couch or chair. Also, while there is a remote, there are no level displays on the unit's receiver or remote itself. This was initially frustrating as I like different levels of intensity depending on the audio source. However, any smart remote can be used to control the ButtKicker which overcomes this issue. As an audiophile trapped in the budgetary constraints of being a full-time graduate student, the ButtKicker was the perfect purchase. It provides me the bone rattling experience of a dedicated home theater system before practicality allows me to have one. Any home theater enthusiast that lives in an apartment, dorm, or who uses their living room as their theater room should take a serious look at this product.

Being deaf and a concert pianist, this BK (abbreviated from ButtKicker) has been extremely helpful in aiding me the ability to play along with background music. Being a vibration-only speaker (no audio), I've been able to have background music at comfortable audio levels (through a normal speaker) for the audience while being able to crank up the BK speaker and still be able to keep in time with the soundtracks. This BK packs quite the wallop for being the smaller cousin of the Concert version of the same brand speaker. I'd give this speaker several thumbs-up if I had more thumbs...

I purchased(direct)and installed this kit a week before writing this. Wow is the word that comes to mind whenever I turn the unit on. I always figured that one of these types of products would make a big difference, but I never thought it would be this serious. The quality of the kit is very impressive, and the amp and transducer look and feel very high end. The furniture leg platform and the leg isolation bumpers are top notch as well. The instructions are VERY easy to follow (almost to the point of not needing them), and everything can be up and running in about 15-20min. I had no issues with the wireless syncing either. The instructions on that (at least now) are very straight forward. You really get a lot for (...).

I am using this kit under a couch in a smaller dedicated HT room with dual SVS PB10 subs. After everything was set and ready to go, I demoed the kit with the I-Robot and Star Trek blu-rays in movie mode. On the particular scene in ST when the Enterprise first goes to warp, I burst out laughing as soon as the LFE signal hit. I had to look around the room to make sure I hadn't gone with them. This little transducer was literally kicking my butt. It picked up on the infrasonic content that I didn't realize either movie had, and did so with incredible authority. I then demoed the transducer with some music. I tested it in music mode with the Audio's Audiophile Bass CD. I played Panther by Marcus Miller, and again...I was speechless. The reproduction of Marcus's guitar solo and Poogie Bell's drum thwacks seriously made it seem like I was front and center at a live event. I can definitely see how this would help band members when rehearsing/playing.

The signal timing was right on cue with the subwoofers and really blended seamlessly with the whole system. Even with the amps gain turned relatively high, I heard and felt no distortion from the transducer (even laying next to it on the floor). With the BKA300 amp/receiver incorporating a 300w rms Bash amp section, I don't suppose it would produce much. This kit, or a Buttkicker setup in general is a must have (in addition to your subwoofer/s)component for the Home Theater enthusiast. I am extremely surprised by just how much impact and realism it added to my system which is already a lot of fun. I can't wait to see my friends faces when I invite them over for a movie!

Let's preface this by saying I'm pretty clueless when it comes to home audio components, but after purchasing a PS3 for my husband for the holidays and seeing how much the whole family is enjoying not only the gaming aspect but the bluray player I wanted to surprise him with this to add a punch to both experiences.

I was a bit intimidated once I had everything unpacked, there are numerous instructions included and even being so unfamiliar with this type of equipment it was only a short while before I had it working. You should check your sofa to see how many Isolators you will need, I attached it to our Ikea sectional and I needed to purchase another set (sold in sets of 4) to fit under three additional legs. I went with the wirless option which is simply awesome. The only component you see is a small black circular piece which is easily tucked with your cable box, gaming system, etc. My husband didn't even notice it. I turned it on and put on a movie for us (Dark Knight if you're curious) and he about jumped off the sofa (that alone was worth the price). My little girl even asks me to turn it on (who knew that noggin shows thumped). The only downfall is the remote, it's terrible. It isn't very responsive and it's also tiny and very VERY easy to lose. However after a few pushes it does work well and who doesn't love another remote.

We watch a lot of movies in bed, I'm ever so tempted to see how this would work on a king size bed :D

First, I'm not a big time home audio enthusiast. Yes, I have a nice big screen TV, a decent surround sound system, and a PS3. However, I don't consider myself an expert or advanced user. With that in mind, I wasn't entirely sure what to expect from the ButtKicker Kit. It all sounds innocent enough, plug in a few modules to your system and enjoy your movies and games more. I was not expecting much, but I was very much (and pleasantly) surprised by the difference that the ButtKicker makes. I guess it's hard to imagine how it changes the experience until you've actually experienced it yourself. It really does bring the movie or game into your sitting area, and thus your body. You honestly really do feel more immersed in the game or movie. So, since it is so hard to explain how ButtKicker feels or changes your experience, I will instead focus on the prime audience for the product.

If you rarely use your surround sound system, and could care less about terms like Dolby Digital 5.1, then I doubt you will be able to appreciate this product. However, if you enjoy watching movies or playing games and actually "hearing" the sounds as they were meant to be heard, then you are going to fall in love with the ButtKicker product.

The unit is well built, and I was glad to see the metal components, not some cheap plastic. You will feel like you got your money's worth with the product. The system comes with high quality speaker cables, and the setup is easy enough, although at first it may seem daunting until you realize exactly how it works. For this one folks, be sure and read the instruction booklet that is included at the top of the box! It will save you time. The unit is packaged well, with everything fitting the box perfectly, so there should be little danger of getting a unit that has broken during shipping.

Bottom Line: If you love movies and games, you are going to love them even more after you install the ButtKicker!

If you want to enjoy this product you need a multichannel receiver. You have to connect it to the subwoofer output or else it will start humming during dialogue (if you use only left and right channels).

Pros:
-Powerful
-Fast response
-Perfect add-on to an existing subwoofer instead of buying a more expensive sub
-can really play audio at low levels and maintain the deep low vibrations
-Wireless works perfectly, no disadvantages with wireless.
-Big transducer
-Has a standby mode which switches off the amp until it receive a signal.
-Remote control
-Includes adapters

Cons
-No display on amp that shows the volume level.
-Bottoms out if you set the amp level too high (when set very high the vibrations are almost always happening during the movie and become more of an annoyance). It is also a good thing because it tells you the transducer is reaching it's limit. (early warning).
-Any frequency above subwoofer frequency should be avoided(which is why you need a multichannel receiver with subwoofer output). The preset EQs like "music" and "game" won't help.
-parents made me transfer the buttkicker kit to the family room. I should have not let them try it. Now they are watching their movie collection all over again.

UPDATE: After using it for 3 days, I noticed static coming from within the transducer. I only noticed it when I was using it during the night. I lowered the volume of my receiver and I can hear that noise. I emailed guitammer and sent them a wav file of the noise I'm hearing. I hope they can fix it. If they can it would be perfect. It really transformed my HT setup.

UPDATE #2:
called amazon representative. told them that my problem and that i did some troubleshooting with the guitammer technician but was told it was defective.

amazon rep immediately sent me a replacement. Awesome!!! He told me to print out the RMA form and return shipping label and drop the defective unit at my nearest ups store within 30 days. Never thought it would be that easy. The best online service I have ever experienced!

My new unit was excellent. No more loose metal parts or internal rattling.

I am now more careful and feel that it is crucial to NEVER EVER bottom out the buttkicker.

UPDATE #3: deleted

UPDATE #4: better method to prevent damaging buttkicker

make sure buttkicker amp is at its lowest level. (everytime you unplug buttkicker amp it will reset its volume level. so before you play anything, lower the level). also make sure you pressed the "movie" mode on the buttkicker remote.

also make sure subwoofer is turned off/disconnected.

You can use the test tone that is built-in to your receiver. it should be found in the receiver's setup.

You can also use the AVIA home theater guide DVD. go to advanced avia section. choose subwoofer setup. play subwoofer level, left-front. (if you can disconnect the left speaker it would be better because this test will alternate between left front speaker and subwoofer). Also make sure your speaker size are set as "SMALL" in your receiver's setup.

With your hand on the buttkicker transducer, play the test tone for the subwoofer, adjust the buttkicker amp level until the transducer stops vibrating. If you don't feel any vibrations, increase the buttkickers amp level until the transducer starts vibrating and use the remote to decrease the level step by step until the vibrations disappear. (you may have to wait a few seconds to make sure there are no more vibrations)

With your hand on the transducer, you will feel faint vibrations...lower the level at the point where the vibrations dissappear.


(don't forget to turn your subwoofer back on)

Now back to some buttkicking sessions with the rest of my movie collections

I am a musician and have had a long relationship with guitamer tech support rooted with a bk gamer (two of them actually) that actually caught fire, and then the second one failed. Even with all their help and hookups they couldn't beat amazon's price on this bka.

Install is easy, except for the wireless. this isn't covered in the quick start guide, so listen up: if the rf transmitter and receiver don't handshake, take these steps. plug in the usb style receiver, get a paper clip and push tiny button near light, and then do the same for the underneath button on the transmitter. They should then start talking to one another.

PROS: very stable, 300w amp runs much cooler and quieter than the gamer. I currently have it mounted to my couch and it kicks butt. great with blurays and ps3. I had to mod the drum throne mount (opt bk accessory) for it to work as a monitor for electronic drums.

cons: rf transmitter a little too space agey egg shaped, certain apps will make you nauseus.

I would recommend this accesory way before high end home theatre upgrades.

WOW!
All this time i was watching movie's,playing games and listening to music
waiting for the next big thing in sound,we all have the 5.1,7.1,12.1 lol
setups in our living rooms but all we do is add more speakers until now,
this technology might be old to alot of ppl but for me its completely new and im glad i found out about it! this is the missing link we have all been waiting for the next big step at an affordable price that you cant beat.
When i recieved my BUTTKICKER it was easy to install lets just say plug and play,after everything was set up i started my testing process the first thing i threw at it was motorstorm:pr and WOW i never felt so much
emersion in a driving game it totaly blows a rumble controller out the water i felt like i was in the game and not only me but everyone else that sat next to me felt the same way it gave us that old arcade feeling but at home.What i like the most about the BUTTKICKER is that it doesnt just shake the sofa you feel whats on the screen here's an example i put on a movie and there was a scene with some horeses running by i felt them coming at me i felt the seperation of every step they took the closer they got the more i felt it it was unbelievable as for the music side of things you get a nice bassy kick with the beat without raising your volume to loud,it awesome and im happy i purchased this and im sure you would be too.your probably wondering what the neggatives are well theres one thing that i feel wont change this review so here is my negative for the product If you have cranky nieghbors beneath you get ready for complaints lol other than that its an awesome product,ENJOY!
P.S Guitammer has some of the best and fastest costumer service they're good!
So folks i hope this little review helps you with your purchase
Thanks Rich and Guitammer!