Since I bought a pair of these to replace a pair of LP Aspire that are in the same price range, I thought it would be helpful to give a comparison.
The Meinls are made from wood that doesn't ring out for very long when you knock on it, and give a very controlled sound. They can sound a bit boring, but on the upside they're very easy to control for a beginner, and it's easy to get a good sound that works in the mix when recording them. They may sound slightly sterile, but are always *useful*.
The LPs are made from a much more resonant wood, and are much less controlled. They are definitely more fun and inspiring to put your hands on, but on the downside they're much harder to control, and it's difficult to record them without getting a sloppy result, unless you're an expert conga player. They may have a nice organic sound, but aren't always sitting in a mix.
Meinl = German Precision
LP = Latin Passion
If your goal is just to have fun playing and expressing yourself, go with the LP. If your goal is to record congas in a home studio, and percussion isn't your main instrument, go with the Meinl.
And if you're a percussion pro, look at more expensive congas. There is a difference.
