It's the beater patch you have.
A clear PS3 will give the same slap if it has that type of patch on it.
A COATED wouldn't (on this shell), but a clear will.
With 2 ringed heads, YOU hear a lower tone behind the kit, but inside the drum, you're getting more mids and not a balance of high, mid and lows. AND you can get the dreaded "basketball" sound from mic in a totally open, smooth cylinder.
So, I still recommend the foam in the bottom and a un-muffed front head. But people can do what they want, and it depends on where you're playing too.
It's different for "at home" playing, and a live setting with a PA and whatnot.
I just know it works for me (on any drum I've done it on), and it takes less than a minute at shows for a FOH to get my drum "dialed in" (and it's a 20x26 on top of it) and we aren't getting pimped for sound checks. I've gotten "I'm in love" from one sound guy, and the mad scientist grins from a few others when they hear it.
When we recorded, it took no time at all to get the drum sounds--and it sounds really cool (if I do say so myself!). I'd put up a song, but for some reason they don't seem to take.
Blahbityblahblah...the foam and plain front head works.
I sent you a PM about the patch Turbo.
Stick is going to get a totally different sound and reaction to tuning because of the Saturn shells.
His bass drums DO sound real nice (check out his site). But it's a different shell with more low end "built in", so any "smack" of a beater is going to sound a little fuller than a regular Maple shell. Plus, I think his shells are also 20" deep (and that's the "magic" depth for me) which gets a softer audible beater smack compared to a shorter shell within the total BD sound.
Sorry if this was long--not trying to be a dick or anything.