It's been a while since I shopped for hand drums and longer still since I worked in a drum shop, so my opinion may be dated. That being said:
The best Djembe I've played (or heard for that matter) was made by Kabala. Real carved wood with rope tension. However the 16" ones (which provide amazingly deep, warm tones) are costly (about $300). The 12" is more afordable (I guessing about $150) but not nearly as deep.
Kambala are actually made in Africa and have the warmest, deepest and most musical tone I've come across. However, I would not recommend rope drums unless you plan to learn how to re-rope or have access to someone who knows how (there are not a lot of people who know how to rope).
I took a few lessons from a "master" African drummer (when I worked in a drum shop) but it truly is an art which takes much skill and more than a little time to master.
The Remo drums (with lug tuners) were not too bad although after the Kabala, there simply were no other drums that impressed me.
Re: Bongos - both LP & Toca make good bongos - but don't think a $39 set of Aspire will cut it. Plan on paying about $100 for decent sounding bongos.
