Got my Hobbit this week and it has a build date of 8/3/16. Looks like the fixed left wireform is installed and the character mylar. I'm not sure if there is a ramp fix installed.

I've got the playfield set to 6.9 and haven't adjusted the flippers yet. It's definitely tough to get up the ramps and nearly impossible backhand so those probably need to be boosted. However when you get a real clean shot and it zips up they have occasionally flown off the right wires and one time it jumped the left ramp into smaugs gold pit. Exciting!

I love lively games but it does feel clunky when the ball falls off the right wires. Smaug was able to knock the ball in his gold pile free.

Have had one smack of the glass out of maybe two hours of play. Again I love that, but I'm worried it might be bad on invisaglass.

A question I have is regarding sound. I was expecting a lot more bass. I mean there's bass but it's just not BOOOMING. Didn't see an EQ in the options. Do you need to upgrade the sub and amp to get more rumble in the low end?

Nice and simple idea, gonna have to give it a try!

The pop is normal, but the static/hum sounds like a grounding issue. Maybe the ground braid wasn't attached properly on one of the speakers or on the computer case in the cabinet. Has it been like that since you got the game?

If it's not the ground or some other connector than it might be the sound i/o on the motherboard needs to be repaired or replaced.

The ground braid needs to be in contact with any part of the machine that is conductive - so almost everything! The silver braid runs all around the sides of the cabinet and into the head. A screw or staple connecting the braid to the speakers may not have been connected at the factory or may have come loose in transit.

The other place to check the braid is the case in the cabinet with the boards and computer since that's the source of your audio signal.

If ground braid looks connected - I'd show pics but I'm not near my pins today - then I'm thinking the audio components on the computer board may be shoddy. Would probabky need to replace the whole board. I'd contact JJP support, or maybe LTG can chime in with some other things to try.

Yes and when you do this make sure you can still backhand the right ramp with a cradled ball. Should just barely make it.

Can confirm that I also have this issue. It's from an August 2016 build.

I put LOTR themed side decals in my Hobbit and they really look great. Screenshots over in this thread:

https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/lotr-lord-of-the-rings-custom-side-board-decals

Some people have legit problems with their speaker wires or audio connections out of the sound board. However everyone has a sound problem with the code too that sounds like certain sounds get quiet or muffled for a moment. I believe it's the ducking part of the sound system that lowers the volume on some sounds when others play that needs some finesse.

It was probably not the best idea to zap all those settings but you are where you are now. There is a menu in the settings screen for adjusting coil power. You'll have to adjust those numbers on each coil that's not adjusted properly. Higher numbers for more power. If the trough or a VUK isn't giving you the ball, it needs more coil power.

You can adjust every coil in the game and it can greatly change the feel of the game. The factory settings do not always work perfectly given each game and each environment is slightly different.