Opinions are ....... opinions.
Mine is no better or more valid than anyone else's.
If I was more of a drummer instead of a decent musician within the scope of music I play, this would be where the you tube video link would be found. I am not, and have passable skills at best.
I do own a 72 SuperTen COS five incher, two 5x14 from 1975/76 during the Big R five digit badge period (first run Big R, the fabled "transition" period), and two from 1980/81 with no serial number badges, a 5x14 and a 6.5x14. These drums are all fitted with single ply coated heads and ambassador weight snare sides. I also own one 5x14 XP10 Maple, ten ply. I have two 6.5x14 (one of which was made for Gina Schock of the Go-Go's. Plus, there are two 8x14 maples. That is a total of ten SuperTen snare drums.
What I can tell you.
I currently own one 5x14 Supraphonic from 1976, I would rather have one of the Supertens any day.
I also own a 5x14 Black Beauty Supersensitive from 1996 and a 6.5x14 Supersensitive Ludalloy from 1996. I would also rather have any of the Supertens
In my opinion the SuperTen is a better all around drum than any of those. Take it in steel or in maple.
I don't know about special beds, but they are wide and shallow. Rogers equipped them with a 20 strand wire and suspended them with strings. Top head was a coated Ambassador and bottom was a Clear Snare side Ambassador.
Sensitivity is good, with response very much like a Powertone, with snare to the edge, unchoked at any level of playing, with plenty of "ring" that will cut through. Any typically unmiked venue, you will be heard.
My best advice would be to head it up, tune it to Rogers spec, and give it a whirl.
It is a fantastic steel shell drum, and not the typical POS steel shell sound.
