i didn't really fully know what to expect from a 14"x8" full birch snare drum. sure, i'd watched a few reviews, but to hear it in my own studio environment was something else. the thing just booooms (in the best sense). depends on how high you tune it and much damping you apply, the range of tone on this thing is broad.
the snare system is easy to use and the build quality in general is top notch. and it's gorgeous, as a nice bonus :)
i haven't mic'd and recorded with it yet, so can't comment on that aspect, but i don't see why it shouldn't record well