I just began playing drums in order to record my first amateur album, therefor I can`t compare with others, but my impression is that they are a bit too strident, I can't play them without headphones, live they hurt my ears, but once recorded I think they sound quite good. If anyone wants to hear how they sound you can listen to "The Sad Stones" album "Sunshine in your eyes" in spotify, drums were recorded with this cymbal set.