Well, I received the strings in record time but then I am only in NC.  Much appreciated compared to other distributors.

Of course my "A" peg, for some reason, decided to slip badly but I toughed it out and have been retuning all afternoon but that's also part of the deal with new strings.

Finally, things settled down.  The strings gave me the best sound I have heard since my Obligatos BUT at much less cost !   The strings were evenly matched with maybe the E being a little hysterical but I simply bowed any problem away knowing what to expect up there.

All in all, these strings seem to deliver and make my favorite violin even better.

Incidentally, I was replacing Tonica which NEVER should been on this violin.  (Luthier said the Tonica were "bright" (like I need that ?).  The violin has plenty of sound left with sounding point IF I want it.

There are 2 audio clips attached.  The first is a simple song to hear the violin against some backup music.  Lazy stuff from a happy violin.

Audio clip 2 is simply the sound of each note.  No music.   The sound is much better than what I have recorded (Audacity/cheap condenser mic.)

I took off Pro Arte about 3 weeks ago which is one reason I ordered Zyex. 

Apples and oranges.

Pro arte are good (perlon?) strings but only in the class of Dominants.

Whatever sounds good is what works !

There is a difference in playing a string in an "in vitreo" context and then as part of a real melody.  On the other hand, I don't ever remember an E of any brand that was a convincing "linear" extrapolation of the set.

Perhaps that is one of the challenges that a violinist faces, not only for the E, but in general.  Most of the time I'm always swapping D's but we'll see what happens when the new set settles.

Please note that I think the E is well within the limits of a "good" E. 

I have been trying out other brand E's during the last few weeks and I would be surprised if you find something much improved but I would be glad to try it.

Staying-tuned-in-NC

PS    Will your polish help protect from rosin deposit.  Not from the rosin dust but the throw off that sticks ?

Why does one polish cost more ?