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One of my favorite sonic moments is in Chapter 5, when Gandolph projects his booming voice around the darkened room. It’s a subtle and powerful moment. This kind of penetrating sound is also used effectively at the end of Chapter 7, when the scream of the Ring Wraiths will make your head explode, and in Chapter 31 with the voice in Frodo's head. Of the battle scenes in this movie, Chapter 29 is one of the best. It begins with Pip dropping a bucket down a well, and much echoing was had by all. The war drums are loud and bassy, and as the vile forces of evil storm the stronghold the sounds of battle rage all around you. Finally, with the arrival of the cave troll, comes a new dimension of bass, especially when the troll’s massive club hits the ground! Chapter 30 is a monster chapter of aural pleasure, pun intended. As the members of the Fellowship run through the great halls, goblins spew from the cracks in the walls creating a great, effective and scary soundscape. But when the Balrog approaches, its deepest growls will make your stomach sink and your subwoofer shake!

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Favorite demo scenes: We nearly cried during the magnificent chapter 37, "The Ride of the Rohirrim," when the King Theoden urges the men (and woman) into battle with cries of "Death! Death!" The riders sweep toward the suddenly hapless Orcs like a tsunami, their trampling hooves shaking the walls of your home theater. Soon after, the forces of good achieve temporary victory in chapter 40 ("The Black Ships"), as the ghost army led by Aragorn swarms across the battlefield. Highlights include Legolas the elf bringing down a brontosaurus-size oliphant by himself. Sure, you've seen that part twice in the theater, but trust us--it's even cooler in slo-mo.

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