I do own this (4 cds and a cassette selection) and since I loaded 2 of the CDs onto my computer I listen to those...
I don't think they were particularly expensive and although JRRT's recordings in particular show the limits of the technology they were made with,nevertheless there is a particular pleasure in hearing the author read his own works. His voice is slightly more rural than I expected which makes Sam's speeches an especial delight.
As for Christopher's readings, he has a clearer and more patrician delivery (sounds like a high church sermon) which rathe suits the style of the Silmarillion. Another bonus is to get "definitive" pronunciations . I was rather delighted to find that JRRT says Morrrdorrrrrrrr
