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post #31 of 43
12/29/08 at 10:25pm
Thread Starter 
With the combination of some xmas money and parts express holding an after xmas sale... I present to you the facewoofer + shakers. The effect of the shakers is actually a lot less cheesy than I expected. I actually do enjoy a small bit of shaker with my music, and a lotta bit of shaker with my movies In the pictures they are shown hooked up in stereo with my speaker amp, but they will ultimately be hooked up in series mono (8 ohm) with the sub amp shown. I talked to some people on the tele with the shakers on full tilt, and the ppl across the line couldn't hear it. So the final goal of awesome but isolated entertainment is still alive. The final test will be at my college apt. when I see if the neighbors below notice...

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post #32 of 43
12/29/08 at 10:55pm
That is very awesome.

What kind of amp is that, and how are you splitting the audio signal into all those shakers/speakers without any loss in signal strength? I am still a newb when it comes to speakers and speaker amps/subs.
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post #33 of 43
12/29/08 at 11:19pm
Thread Starter 
The speaker amp is four channels (2 x full-range, 2 x subs) and the subwoofer amp is a mono-output Dayton Audio 240W on sale at parts express. I'm not sure exactly how the signal is being duplicated, but the amp sort of has a "pass thru" feature that allows me to effectively drive 6 speakers total between the two amps. I expect that it either takes a little piece off the signal, or processes it and reamplifies it out. I really have no idea tho...I think the pictures in this link will best describe what I'm talking about...Dayton Audio 240W Sub Amp

And also the main post has been updated with some extra info.

edit: I chose to run the speaker level signal for the subwoofers thru it, since I figured any signal degradation would be less noticeable thru the subs than thru the full ranges.
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post #34 of 43
12/29/08 at 11:57pm
Very very cool, I hope some other head-Fiers get to experience your "chair", I know I'd like too.
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post #35 of 43
1/3/09 at 2:29am
Thread Starter 
Thanks. I'm hoping some ppl will get to see it if/when I get a Columbus, OH meet set up.

Well she's all done, at least for a while. I've decided to put off upgrading the full range drivers because... well I just don't feel like spending any more money. That also means that I won't be finishing the speaker boxes quite yet, which I hope to eventually paint/veneer black.

Anwyay... I added a connection hub to the back, which consists of a black plastic project box and 6 binding posts. The "trunkline" from the amp to the chair is wrapped up in 1" split spine tubing, and the small tubes running along the chair are 1/2"

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post #36 of 43
1/5/09 at 2:21am
I really love it, daydreamed crazy stuff about this in the past too, especially with transducers.

I may be crazy, but you were talking about the reflection with the head against the seat; could you do something to the chair so that the only support is directly behind your head and does not extend out past your ears to the side? I'm not necessarily recommending you trim the top of the chair to the left and right of where you rest your head, maybe just remove the internal padding there and concentrate it where your head is located?
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post #37 of 43
1/6/09 at 12:21am
Thread Starter 
Ya, I've considered using something like this ergonomic desk chair for the final version of the chair, where only the headrest extends beyond the shoulders. However, I won't be modifying this particular version of the chair any further because the basic design suffers from a few problems with practicality...duh right? The biggest problem is with the size of the shelving unit. It is unwieldy and liable to knock over cups on the desk, etc., and it is a bit claustrophobic in that it restricts the user's ability to reach around for things to the side like say...the volume knob. Otherwise while sitting back and relaxing there is plenty of elbow room, and the sound is fantastic. There's a lot of room for improvement, and I appreciate all suggestions.

And also, now that I've had time to tweak the speaker placement, the imaging is fine. The sweet spot is very small with the speakers this close, and I think I previously had the sweet spot a bit in front of my head...hence why it helped to lean forward.
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post #38 of 43
3/15/09 at 2:57pm
This may get my kidney stone broke up ala lithotripter. $11k procedure

I have a black message chair that I'd never leave with this. One of those Sharper Image recliners. It would need its own 30 amp circuit.

To further your concept, I had thought of an entertainment chair that would be similar to the NASCAR ride at King's Island. Using a projection video calibrated to a wrap around 180 degree screen, full sized so you are in the scene. Have the chair frame controlled by effects motors and vibration drivers to imitate action g forces. You could even control the climate for hot and cold scenes in movies in the booth and pre-loaded scents in a controlled mechanism qued by the movie. The surround sound would be three dimensional with the NHK patent 28 channel surround.

I know, too much weed.
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post #39 of 43
3/15/09 at 3:14pm
WOW! Now that's creativity, I think you should add a seatbelt to the chair because that is gonna send you into orbit. Great job & pics.
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post #40 of 43
3/15/09 at 8:02pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Happy Camper View Post
This may get my kidney stone broke up ala lithotripter. $11k procedure

I have a black message chair that I'd never leave with this. One of those Sharper Image recliners. It would need its own 30 amp circuit.

To further your concept, I had thought of an entertainment chair that would be similar to the NASCAR ride at King's Island. Using a projection video calibrated to a wrap around 180 degree screen, full sized so you are in the scene. Have the chair frame controlled by effects motors and vibration drivers to imitate action g forces. You could even control the climate for hot and cold scenes in movies in the booth and pre-loaded scents in a controlled mechanism qued by the movie.
haha, sounds like an awesome idea, but that damn NASCAR ride is so painful! I'll tell ya what tho... that reminds me that I'm looking forward to seeing how this new 3-d viewing technology from nvidia turns out.

Legit Reviews - NVIDIA GeForce 3D Vision Review - Our Thoughts After A 30-Day Test Drive

Quote:
Originally Posted by Happy Camper View Post
The surround sound would be three dimensional with the NHK patent 28 channel surround.
I think you only need 4 speakers to produce perfect 360 degree sound for a single listener. Not that having a 28 speaker system wouldn't be amazingly cool, it just wouldn't fit on my chair lol...

Quote:
Originally Posted by cheemo View Post
WOW! Now that's creativity, I think you should add a seatbelt to the chair because that is gonna send you into orbit. Great job & pics.
thanks for the kind words
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post #41 of 43
3/16/09 at 7:02am
the chair reminds me of a very early industrial design project I did for a chair. I made a chair out of mdf with ports out the back. It was very heavy and laced with leather padding and a swivel back. It wasnt that comfortable due to the innovative hinge on the top of the back padding. I took apart a klipsch 2.1 and used the woofer inside and added adjustable kick panels on near the knees for the speaker mounting. I was going to return the klipsch after the project but kept it. It was awesome for movies! the bass mmmm. Was a hit with ladies
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post #42 of 43
3/31/09 at 5:38pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by keyid View Post
the chair reminds me of a very early industrial design project I did for a chair. I made a chair out of mdf with ports out the back. It was very heavy and laced with leather padding and a swivel back. It wasnt that comfortable due to the innovative hinge on the top of the back padding. I took apart a klipsch 2.1 and used the woofer inside and added adjustable kick panels on near the knees for the speaker mounting. I was going to return the klipsch after the project but kept it. It was awesome for movies! the bass mmmm. Was a hit with ladies
Very cool Kinda sounds like what I'd like to do if I ever re-do this chair by using the space inside the chair as a speaker box. Any pics by chance?
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post #43 of 43
3/31/09 at 5:42pm
Thread Starter 
A few things were bugging me, so I made a couple minor additions
Problem: I need a mic for gaming and skype. Gaming headsets are typically painful to wear and break easily. Desktop mics sound like garbage b/c they're too far from your face.
Solution: Strap a desktop mic to the chair to create a pseudo-headset.
Result: Headset mic clarity, without having to wear a junk headset. Flex-head versatility. hooray

I initially slapped the stock Logitech USB mic onto the chair with some velcro, but of course the neck is made of cheap plastic and broke a month or so later.



...and of course I slice right thru the mic wire while trying to repair it. So I rethought it and decided to redesign the mic's neck. I used solid core electricians wire to provide a sturdy, flexible neck, 20 awg solid spc for the mic wiring. I reused the old mic tip b/c I didn't feel like designing something to hold the mic. Little solder, epoxy, heat shrink and techflex later and we have what you see.




Just needs a ~3m USB extension cable to streamline the wiring, and maybe some heatshrink around the head to cover all the gunk.
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