[ecurbh]

Symbolic of the ring's nature or sound-fx mistake?

They definitely meant for that. Notice the same heavy thud when Gollum drops it in the prologue. I read that they put a big magnet under the floor to make it seem heavier and to eliminate any possible bounce.

[Corin Stormhands]

Thanks. That's what I figured. I just hadn't noticed it before...of course I think this was the first time I watched it without the thirteen-year-old...maybe I could concentrate.

G'nite again. Gotta sleep...