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Sure, this couple looks relaxed
now, but they're about to get their butts kicked. Berkline's new
recliners allow users to feel the special effects from their home
theater equipment. A row of three ButtKicker leather recliners with
quick connection kit is about $3,000 (October 2005). |
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How about a foot massage while you watch Monday Night Football? A back rub
while you listen to the latest and greatest sound system?
Or maybe you'd like to get your derriere kicked along with Arnold as
you watch your favorite "Terminator" movie. Berkline's ButtKicker is named for its
built-in "silent subwoofer" that allows you to feel the reverberations from
exploding objects on screen.
The recliner grouping was one of the many home theater products shown and
introduced at the High Point (NC) Furniture Market in October 2005. The ButtKicker's popularity is sending reverberations throughout the home
theater furniture industry. Sales of the ButtKicker have quadrupled in
the last year, while sales of other home theater seating have doubled in each of
the last four years. The increase in sales reflects a growing trend of Americans
to entertain at home, says a company spokesman.
For the sanity of your family, neighbors and pets, the vibrations of the
ButtKicker recliner are felt, but not heard. The technology is a home version of
the special effects at Disney and IMAX theaters. A wireless transmitter and
a 3.25 pound piston inside a metal in the recliner's bottom cushion vibrate the
recliner's seat in sync with the television. An amplifier connects your
home theater equipment to the wireless transmitter, which sends a signal to the
chair.
"It's all about the fun," said Cabot Longnecker, a spokesperson for Berkline.
"After investing money in surround sound and high definition TVs, consumers were
still sitting on Aunt Edna's couch. We're trying to generate the same amount of
fun in seating that already exists in home audio/visual technology."
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The "Emotion Lounger" from Hawaiian
Lomi Group will knead, tap and roll your stresses away. |
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Hey baby, loosen up
Hard day at work? You could try wheedling a massage from your equally
stressed spouse. Or you could have a massage in the newest home theater recliner
from Hawaiian Lomi Group. The "Emotion Lounger" (EML-200) is a therapeutic
massage chair especially for the larger consumer. ("Lomi" is a Hawaiian word
meaning "massage.")
"Big people need great massages, too," said Tim Loveday, representing the Hawaiian Lomi
Group at the High Point Market.
The EML-200, has a remote control and is 83" long when fully reclined. That's
big enough to accommodate someone up to seven feet tall. The recliner seat
bottom measures 20" wide and 22" deep. Other features include an adjustable
headrest, auto-recline, kinetic air massaging seat and calve and foot massager.
Choose from single or combination kneading, tapping or rolling massage.
Prices on this chair start at $1,195 (October 2005).
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The Ultima series recliners from
Lane. |
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Drive-in seating
Two-toned black and silver "Ultima," leather and vinyl from Lane Home
Furnishings resemble those big old car seats from the drive-in movie days. Also
available in all black, the seats have fixed backs and matching ottomans. An
optional wedge table fits neatly between the seats.
"These chairs are designed to look both funky and fun," said Amy Simpson, a
spokesperson for Lane Home Furnishings. "With the stitched edges and piping
around the trim, it almost looks like you're sitting in an automobile."
Chair arms, ottomans and the wedge table each have a hinged top that lifts to
reveal storage space for DVDs, remotes and other sundries. Two chairs, two
ottomans and one wedge table from the Ultima line retail for about $1,000.
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