I just got the brass 14 x 6.5 version for xmas.
Out of the box it sounded great.
I will replace the head later, but for now, the snare sounds great.
Turn off the snare wires and listen to the tonal quality, it is remarkable.
I think that saying one snare is better than another is ridiculous.
There are many great snares out there, so there are many great snares to use for different applications. It is clearly subjective to personal taste. Some drummers prefer specific brands, some don't. Some prefer certain hardware, others mix and match. Some drummers like using different cymbals in the same kit. Who cares? Enjoy the free floating technology and use your own judgement when you trry one at a store near your location.
I love mine and will find joy in it's originality and character.
I have the 14 x 6.5 version. It has been my main snare for 15 years. The drum is as he describes. The die cast hoops allow this drum to cut tremendously with that maple shell. I've gotten compliments on it many times. I know another drummer that has been gigging for about the same 15 years and has only ever owned that snare. And the reason is, it works. He's told me many stories of people complimenting his snare sound.
I play aggressive music. He plays rock.
You can also get Pearl to make you a brass shell. It takes 3-6 months as they aren't a stock item anymore, but you can replace the maple shell with the brass one. I just got mine for $120. Looks sick. So for a little more, you can also have two drums in one.
I haven't had a chance to hook up the new brass shell, but I'm confident that shell is going to add just the right amount of ring to that already cutting sound.
I expect you'll love the drum.
ps. I've often used an Evans Genera HD dry head on it. That head is 2 plys for heavy duty hitting and dries the drum out some. So if you want to take more advantage of the resonance of that maple shell, you probably don't want to use that head. But if you do, that head on that drum (with those die cast hoops) will make it a focused snare drum sound that cuts through anything.