the drop in weight had no impact on my ball speed, but I have always been a lower/medium speed player, aroung 14.5-15mph.

 14lb balls hit just as hard as 15's do, but you will notice some difference on the "bad" shots.

 The really flush hits still look exactly the same, and sound that way as well, but the "off" hits that require a bit of pin action, or the bad release that lets the ball deflect too much, will be where you notice the difference.

 My average stayed the same over the long run.

 Some people say that the 14lb balls seem to hook more than the 15's did, qnd it seems to make sense due to the cover having the same friction and the lighter ball having less momentum, but if so, I never really noticed it.

Approx 6 years ago I dropped from 15# down to 14# with excellent success and results. Then approx 1 1/2+ years ago, I decided to try 15# again, and it worked great for a year, but as health problems began setting in and before being forced to quit bowling for the rest of year recently, I went back to 14# and this time it was a total bust.

I can understand and appreciate why everyone's results may be different, but for me it was a great move. My initial concern was increased deflection, but in the final analysis I gained a little speed and a few more revs, so the deflection has not been an issue in any way shape or form. What was previously said is true however, it can be a little bit better on some shots, and perhaps a little worse on others. However, I have absolute confidence now in 14 pound equipment being able to do the job, and I appreciate the increased angle I get from the rev increase more than I personally notice any weird deflections.

One final note: it will mess with your timing a little bit, so I would pay attention to that possibility. I personally have found that I can go back and forth between 15 and 14 with little impact, but I do have to be more cognizant of my speed when I'm throwing 14. I have both weights in my arsenal now, and as long as I start the night one way and don't go back and forth between weights constantly that night, I have not personally noticed any issues.

Bottom line, I could not be happier that I opened my eyes to the potential of dropping a pound.

Good luck with whatever you choose.

I dropped from 16 to 14 recently. I see no significant difference in ball performance. My hip thanks me after every outing. No more pain. No more Advil. Like one of the posters said the good and bad breaks balance each other out.

My biggest problem has been caused by my decision to also stop using my Robby's Revs wrist brace.  That is taking some major getting used to. I am having to learn how to release the ball all over again. 

Over the past year, I've seen a significant drop in my speed-from 18.3 mph to 15.5.  Strangley, my rev rate has stayed the same.  I've tried holding the ball higher, higher backswing and even moving further back on the approach and it's not getting me back to where I was...

so, whoever has made the change-how has it worked out so far?  Most importantly, have you seen any changes in hitting power/deflection?

If your speed dropped that much in just a year, the problem is almost certainly mechanical.
Sounds like your timing got early somewhere. Let the ball float at the top of the backswing, get your slide foot to the line, kick the box with the trail leg and let gravity do it's thing. It's hard to throw it hard without slightly late timing.

I dropped about 3 years ago.  Wish I had done it a lot sooner.  I feel like I have so much more control over the ball.   It feels a lot more effortless.  Like everyone else has said, it didn't increase my ball speed like you would think.  I didn't lose any carry.  I feel my lighter shots carry better.  Todays balls have so much hitting power .  It's worth giving it a try.  Good Luck!!! 

Thanks everybody.  I am mainly considering this due to my wrist.  I took a year off back in 2006 the first time I injured it, and now it's flaring up again really bad. 

***edit***
found an NIB original theory for cheap.  Always wanted to throw one.  Hopefully I can test it this weekend.