I put the upgraded backbox speakers in and couldn't tell the difference. The sub is better though.

The audio is more compressed compared to other Stern pins of that time frame, due to the amount of audio. That is one thing the LE has over the regular one, they upgraded the memory so it could contain higher quality samples.

Here is a little review I posted up last month about the Flipper Fidelity speakers that I've put in 4 different machines (LOTR being one of them).

http://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/flipper-fidelity-speakers-put-them-in-4-pins-the-last-6-months-a-review

Even though I like the speaker upgrade on our other machines better, the FF speaker system for LOTR is much better than the stock speakers (in my opinion). I wasn't a fan at all of the stock speaker system in LOTR and I much prefer the FF system (so to me it's worth the money spent).

I would like to know the answer to this as well as i recently picked up a lotr and was interested in pinball pro speakers.

Can the game be hooked into surround sound system?

Not related directly to the speakers themselves but I'd highly recommend the speaker light kit on LOTR from Pinball Toppers - http://www.pinballtoppers.com/STERN.html

It is by far and away the best looking one with the gold mirrored rings.

Cant wait to hear your review..I am curious as well

Please let us know how it works out.

Mine is on its way...I think the sound got better with the LE's...I'll let you know...

I have had the Flipper Fidelity complete kit in my LOTR for almost two years now.
The sound isn't as nice/rich compared to the newer machines but, it's still a hell of a lot better than the stock kit.
Fellowship multiball (as well as the rest of the game) goes to 11 with the FF's.

Has anyone tried the Pinball Pro speaker upgrade in their lotr?

Yeah, I think if you own an LE it makes sense to get the full kit. Otherwise either just replace the woofer, or add a external subwoofer. I replaced the woofer with the high-energy woofer from Pinball Pro, and it's great, but it adds a lot of glass rattle.

I've had the LE and currently have the regular LOTR.

I put the FF speakers in my LE. The backbox speakers made very little difference in my opinion. Very little. A lot of the sound from LOTR comes out of the bottom speaker...more than most pins.

The FF subwoofer does make a big difference on LOTR, and is definitely worth it. My current LOTR has stock backbox speakers and the FF subwoofer and I don't plan on adding the FF backbox speakers. Just not worth it on this particular title in my opinion.

And the sound quality on the LE does not seem any better to me than the regular version.

I installed FF speakers in one I had and I have to say the clarity or the highs were much sharper. The overall volume on the callouts on this pin is turned up pretty loud as is. What I do like about FF full speaker swap out kit is the variable audio control that actually helped to balance the highs and bring out bit more base that I like to get when playing a pin. Add an external sub if your looking for more base... But I think you'll be pleased with your new FF speakers.

I have the PP kit with red LEDs installed, along with a shaker motor and mirror blades, just waiting for my March delivery. And yeah, I ordered the toy cannon also.

Wrong game.

Heh, oops. I thought every post was about AC/DC.

Is it possible to upgrade the mem in a regular version for better audio?

Yes, Pinsound is now available for Stern Whitestar & LOTR. Do a search on Pinsound & LOTR, several threads out there about it.

Well different upgrade.

Can a non LE have memory replaced with LE size and audio samples changed to be better?

Pinsound is a board upgrade with all new sound added. But is ~$320? A friend showed me his pinsound in a few games....damn, it's nice

The PinSound upgrade is a hell of a lot simpler than redsoldering RAM on the board; might be worth considering. Plus it's reversible and you can put it in another game...

Not gonna disagree