We've seen chairs with built-in sound like the like Ace Bayou's Wireless Audio Recliner and the Gamepod chair, but a new product called the SubPac aims to offer similar functionality in a lightweight, portable design. Essentially, the SubPac is like a subwoofer designed to make a user feel what he or she is listening to, instead of just hearing it.
Upon first glance, the SubPac looks like one of those devices you strap to a regular chair to turn it into a massage chair. However, instead of offering massages, it offers bass. The creators are quick to point out this "is not a vibration device." Instead, the company calls it a "sub-woofer that generates a dynamic, rich and accurate tactile representation of whatever sound you input."
The SubPac doesn't separate the audio signal into low and high, so the bass would still be played through the headphones or speakers as it would if a user wasn't using the SubPac. It offers a frequency response ranging from 5Hz to 130Hz.
The device can be used for anything that creates sound – music, video games, movies and so on. An interesting use proposed by the creators is for DJs and music producers. The SubPac allows DJs to better monitor low frequency in a club setting. For producers, it allows them to create at late hours while keeping the bass on the speakers low, so as not to annoy neighbors.
As for dimensions, the SubPac measures 18.5 x 12 x 1.75 inches (47 x 30.5 x 4.4 cm). It weighs 3.8 pounds (1.72 kg), so it should be small and light enough for most users to carry around without too much effort. It is powered by a 15V DC adapter, and the creators say that the product will be shipping with the right plug for various regions around the world.
STUDIOFEED, the company behind the SubPac, is currently seeking funding on Kickstarter. The project has a US$75,000 goal and is currently sitting about $10,000 short with ten days remaining. The money from funding will go towards producing the final version in a factory, as the prototypes have been built by hand. Buyers interested in getting their own SubPac will need to make a pledge of $350.
The Kickstarter pitch below provides more information about the SubPac.
Source: Kickstarter
