I have always had good results with Remo Emperors, but go for the heads that work for the sound you want. Durability is just one criterion, but consider how controlled or resonant you want your sound to be for the kind of music you play. Single ply heads give a better tone for longer, but will not hold up to too much abuse. Double ply heads sound good for a month or so but then lose a lot of their tone for the rest of their long lives. Either way, you need to change your heads at least once a year to maintain decent sound(IMHO).
I like the sounds I am getting from Evan's snare heads. I have a Genera HD on my 14 x 6.5 brass snare that is controlled just enough with tuning. I also have a Genera dry on my 14 x 5.5 maple that gives a solid crack, but sometimes it seems too dry for my liking. Other folks swear by Aquarian or Attack heads. Do a bit of research on the charateristics of each manufacturer's heads and the recommended style of music for each. You may have to trial and error your first few sets, but if you do your research based on your needs (not someone else's) you should be able to get the sound you want quickly. Never underestimate tuning to bring out the sound you want, but you have to start with the heads closest to the sound you want. Pinstripes do not work for jazz in the same way G1s do not work well for metal.
