"Guy at Stern" is full of it. Definitely better sound quality with FF speakers. Just holding the Stern ones in your hand you'll be able to feel how cheap they are. Highly recommend upgraded speakers especially for music pins. But I think FF has done away with the ability to dial in the bass preference with the Spike 2 games. However, with Batman 66 Stern has now given owners the ability to dial in the bass, treble and fade preferences in the service menu. And it makes a huge difference. Not sure if other Spike 2 games have this ability but I would think that they all should.