The new Radio Kings, although styled after the vintage ones, are completely different drums. What does superior sound mean??? Your best bet is to play different ones to find the sound you're looking for...trying to rely on other people's descriptions can be futile...

I don't think an inch is going to make a much of a difference in volume. I can pretty much make anything make your teeth hurt. I think shell and hoop material are the biggest determinants of volume. A brass shell with die cast hoops should usually be the loudest although in the past this has not always been the case (I've found a couple of brass shells that were not the loudest). BUT...The loudest drum I have ever played was a Pearl 3.5x14 free floating brass shell with die cast hoops. That one can really get away from you. It can be almost abusive. But that combination gives you exceptional cut on your ghost notes so in careful hands the drum can be very useful.

Most people say shell material determines warmth with wood being warmer than metal and soft woods being warmer than hard woods (mahogany vs maple for example). So maybe warmth is a function of sound reflection versus absorbtion. I think a component of warmth is the ratio of drum tone to the sound of the snares in the mix. A deeper drum should give you a higher ratio with respect to that parameter.

My 2 cents worth.

Gary,

Dix Hills, NY