I bought this set to replace my really old Sabian B8 cymbals. I was initially a little dubious about the trashy kind of sound which can seem quite harsh in a small room, but with a bit of control and especially when recorded, the cymbals sound rich and warm with a jazzy kind of sizzle. I tend to play more funk/jazz/hip hop type beats and these seem perfect for those styles. I enjoy playing with this set a lot. The cymbals gel together well and have a very expressive sound when played with controlled dynamics. Letting loose on them gives quite a trashy, rocky sound and the big hihats sound great when played half open. Overall, the sound is quite dark and this may not suit everyone but I am very happy with these for my purposes. I should also mention the price - about half of what you would pay for a high end set from big brands! I can't comment on how these compare to other more expensive sets from different brands, but they are a huge leap up from my 20-odd year old B8's. Oh and they also look fantastic!