Sensurround is the brand name for a process developed by Cerwin-Vega in conjunction with
Universal Studios to enhance the audio experience during film screenings, specifically for the 1974 film
Earthquake. The process was intended for subsequent use and was adopted for four more films,
Midway (1976),
Rollercoaster (1977), the theatrical version of
Saga of a Star World (1978), the
Battlestar Galactica pilot, as well as the compilation film
Mission Galactica: The Cylon Attack (1979). Sensurround worked by adding extended-range bass for
sound effects. The low-frequency sounds were more felt than heard, providing a vivid complement to onscreen depictions of earth tremors, bomber formations, and amusement park rides. The overall trend toward "
multiplex" cinema structures presented challenges that made Sensurround impractical as a permanent feature of cinema.