I used these Balters for some intense and loud playing, and they got worn down quite quickly. But I still went back and got a new set, because I like the sound and feel for soft articulated passages, orchestra/band playing when you realy have to cut threw or contemporary ensemble/solo. The mallets have some of that "Something hard hits metal" sound , you hear the core if you play loud. All in all, nice and affordable mallets! Not for all round use.