These are exactly what I was looking for! I decided to treat myself and re-skin my kit no too long ago, the first time since I bought the kit. After about 11 months the stock head just weren't what they used to be. (I had already changed the snare head out a few times) These heads have all the attack you would ever want, without the long sustain you don't. For me, mostly playing a broad spectrum of rock and metal, these heads are perfect, They're by no means quiet, rather they punch through the other sounds of the kit. I have used them in a live setting without mic-ing them up! As far as tuning goes, I used the Evans tourqe/tension key. I had an 8 piece kit tuned in a matter of hours. I'm really happy with these heads!