The Gold TST329 is the first of the units to utilise Neodymium rare earth magnets, thus the price and performance increase. This offers more fidelity and efficiency (twice the output) over the Silver model. It can be used in seating and in floors and risers.
"I can think of very few products that add this much to a system for so little cost... I was sceptical at first; however, once I got used to the Clark Platinum TST, I couldn't imagine my system without it."Geoffrey Morrison - Home Theater magazine
Most of the sound we hear reaches our ears via airborne vibrations, like those produced by loudspeakers. However, we also hear & feel sound conducted through the bones in our bodies. This process - formally known as bone conduction - sends tactile vibrations directly to the inner ear, where they are translated into electrical signals for the brain.
When you turn up the volume on that great song, you effectively increase the proportion of sound heard and felt via bone conduction.
Ordinary speakers must be played at extraordinary levels to obtain a significant tactile effect.
Clark Synthesis patented Tactile Sound™ Transducers (TST) are compact compression drivers that produce vibrations over a full range of tactile and audible frequencies (in contrast to gimmicky "shakers" that add only bass vibrations).
When attached to a resonant surface, TST's supplement ordinary speakers and subwoofers, increasing the proportion of sound you hear and feel through bone conduction. Consequently, you feel the natural percussive impact of sounds - from plucked strings to explosive movie effects - while also enjoying greater clarity, depth, and dialogue intelligibility. In addition, the greater perceived loudness of a TST-equipped system allows listening at a lower volume that is both safer for your ears and less annoying for your neighbours.