Realistic size and feel. Solid and rugged construction. Looks very nice and rim shots are authentic. I can’t say it has a true snare sound however, so don’t buy this thinking it will replace a real snare with real snare sound. It sounds better than pads with no attempt are the snare sound, but that does not make it sound like a snare drum. All in all, great pad.,

Purchased the Ahead S-Hoop w/Snare Sound with Black Carbon Fiber head from Musician’s Friend. I debated between it and the Xymox Reserve custom pad. Want to simulate both the feel and “sound” of a marching snare drum. Opted for the Ahead based on the lower price, and that was a mistake. Everything about the Ahead pad is top quality except for the claim it has a snare sound. I placed it on several different surfaces and never got any sound other than the stick hitting the carbon fibber head. I even held it in the air with one hand and hit it with a stick and still no snare sound!!!!
I have the very early versions of Xymox’s snare sound pad (Ahead pays Xymox for the rights to use its patented design) that is just a piece of rubber on MDF board with the steel plate on the bottom. It has a pretty good snare sound. I returned the Ahead pad and ordered the Xymox Reserve, with the customer colors that I selected from the options. Based on the video reviews of the pad I believe it will be exactly what I am looking for . . . . . a pad that is very similar to a real marching snare drum in both feel and sound. The Xymox Reserve I ordered has a Kevlar head rather than the carbon fiber, which also is an option. If you are considering the Ahead S-Hoop, I suggest you consider OffWorld’s Invader V3. It is not a snare sound pad but has the feel of a carbon fiber head, I think.