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Sensurround question... how does it compare to IMAX

posted 11 years ago by artyfilmsareformongs
10 replies | jump to latest

Just had a very interesting read on another thread about Sensurround, never knew about sensurround and the fact cinemas in the 70`s were equipped with sound systems that had serious sub bass.

From anyone that has experienced it would you say it is equivilant of an IMAX theatre in terms of bass? The bass in an IMAX always makes me laugh as it feels like your chair is vibrating. I took my dad to see Skyfall in the local IMAX last week and he asked me do the chairs vibrate, I said nope its just the wall of sub bass drivers they have hidden behind the screen. He was shocked

Would love to see Earthquake remastered for an IMAX theatre though.

[–] Avenger69 11 years ago

I watched a screening of "Earthquake" in Los Angeles in 2008, and it was presented using one of a couple remaining Sensurround systems (on loan from the Dolby archives, so I was told).

A sound system such as THX used in an IMAX screening is supposed to pick up all the nuances of the treble and the bass, as opposed to just the bass of Sensurround, so they are different. As far as the "bass" sound, no question: Sensurround was designed to do one thing, and one thing only: shake the audience. And, it does it very well. It's incredible.

"It's people..."

[–] raceface 10 years ago

I saw it as a kid when it came to the theaters in 74. Sense surround (sp?) was really cool. The seats seemed to vibrate and you could feel the quakes. Maybe seems a bit cooler because I was 10 at the time. The movie Rollcoaster had it as we'll.

I'm sure it would seem very dated by today's standards.

[–] jrs-8 10 years ago

I saw Earthquake and Rollercoaster in Sensurround. The above posters nailed it on the head. The theater, seats and floor vibrated. It was pretty cool. During hte major earthquake scene the Sensurround ran solidly for 10 minutes or so. During Rollercoaster the speakers emitted the vibrations every time the rollercoaster was in motion. The first use of Sensurround in Rollercoaster was a bit of a cheat but it was a great moment because it scared the hell out of people. It's a quick shot of one of those carnival games where the ball knocks down the stacked pins. For a brief second the Sensurround speakers kicked in quite unexpectedly. The rest of the time the Sensurround was used when the coaster was in motion.

[–] MrHooba 10 years ago

I saw Earthquake, Rollercoaster, and Midway all in Sensurround back when they were first released in the mid-70s. It worked best for Rollercoaster but Sensurround was a bit of a disappointment for a kid. It wasn't anything like IMAX which is visual versus Sensurround which only aural and only a bass rumble. It didn't give you much of an earthquake feel. However, it was still fun to see anything that was a different moviegoing experience.

[–] strumdatjag 10 years ago

I also saw all three of the movies with SENSELESS-SURROUND (a big subwoofer cranking a bass tone into the floor of the theater). It was so stupid, I had to go to all three. It worked best, or should I say LEAST WORST, in "Midway" (5/10). The booming of the Senseless-surround would coincide with the explosions.

[–] Kristeia 8 years ago

I saw it to with my parents. It's so loud. Mostly bass. There's not much to feel it's moving though. I recall they made the theater really cold too.

[–] wmlopez 7 years ago

I saw EARTHQUAKE in 1974 with sensurround and have seen IMAX action movies.
Sensurround was like having a sub woffer turned up really loud while the rest of the volume is on. Now it sounds like imagine that noise you can make with your lips
when you flap them non stop but it's really loud. I got my money's worth with sensurround .

[–] roger1 (2277) 10 months ago

I saw Earthquake at the theater and , while not impressed by the script or a lot of the effects work, the Sensurround effect in the theater was cool...rather indeed like a thrill ride at Disneyland or something.

That same year, I accidentally discovered how to "get the Sensurround effect" without going to the movie theater.

I was in a Jacuzzi and I took my head underwater near the jets and -- you get the EXACT same sound as Sensurround.

So try it today -- find a hot tub or a Jacuzzi, turn on the jets, and put your head underwater near the jets.

Sensurround!

PS. I saw Midway in Sensurround and THAT was pretty good(it matched up for explosions and plane crashes, especially a plane crash that opens the movie and allowed them to use the Sensurround right away) I saw Rollercoaster in Sensurround and it really didn't fit the shots of roller coaster car POVS. I never saw Battlestar Galacta in Sensurround -- and then it was over. Dolby and IMAX took over.

[–] DirkOff (296) 10 months ago

I saw Battlestar Galactica when I was a small kid. I’ll never forget the loud rumble as the Pegasus flew by. I remember being quite shocked as I don’t think my dad new what sensurround was when we went.

[–] Keelai (31892) 10 months ago

I saw Earthquake in the theater. The earthquake scenes were more prolonged in comparison to later action or sci-fi movie scenes with Dolby or IMAX. The Earthquake vibrating seats felt more intense, too.

BTW, Mad magazine did a spoof of Earthquake. Whenever an earthquake or aftershock occured, you were supposed to shake the magazine. R.I.P. Mad