I use them, and love them.
I have an 8" x 14" Brass, and a 5" x 14" Brass, and they are great. The 8"x14" is discontinued-They were a bit "pricey" so they didn't sell to well; I paid $375 for mine around late 1991 / early 1992.
I'm not sure about the Wooden shelled models, but I have a preference for Brass snares.
These things sound like a Gunshot.
Tim