After reading several reviews and watching many You tube videos, all stating how wonderful this reed is, I finally decided to purchase this synthetic reed. I decided stick with the same reed strength, from a 2 1/2 Rico Plasticover reed to the same on the Legere. It was noticeably a little stiffer, but it played superbly. No wetting required, it kept its tone all the way through playing, as a wet player, my sax was swamped as usual, but the reed stayed perfect. Considering one reed is the same price as 5 plasticover reeds, but will last 10 times longer, it is worth making the change.