This recorder sounds amazing compared to any other plastic recorder I've played so far. It's got a very nice well rounded sound and it's not as sharp as most of the student models I've used.

The Aulos 703W Haka Soprano Descant Recorder is exactly what I hoped for when I placed the order. Its 3 component parts allow me to adjust the foot; now I can easily reach the high notes with the little finger. (My previous instrument is a 2-component pear wood, non-adjustable foot, and the fingering was not only difficult but caused cramping with the extreme stretch.) The low cost of the recorder belies its tone, which is mellow, round, and full. Obviously, breath control is critical, but I doubt that my breath control and pressure has changed significantly with the Aulos 703W. My point being, that previously the pear wood emitted "tight" notes - and I hear a more pleasant sound with the Aulos 703W. For my purpose of playing solo for my own pleasure and occasionally in duet with a violin, I am delighted with the fingering, and the overall quality of the instrument. The Aulos 703W is a rewarding instrument to practice, and gives me confidence as I progress in the sophistication of music performance.

Very nice lite texture feel with simulated wood-grain look and as with all Aulos Recorders sound quality superb !
Mark

My first recorder was the Yamaha YRS-302B soprano - which is great and sounds lovely. I saw a lot of reviewers recommending Aulos so I thought I would give it a try. (One great thing about recorders is that they are so cheap!) The Aulos also sounds fantastic! The Aulos has a slightly darker/warmer tone than my Yamaha soprano (which has no woodgrain). It is also a little longer length-wise (though the fingering holes are the same distance apart). In terms of play-ability, they are comparable.

Intonation is good on both, and they are both expressive. If you are new to the recorder the low and high notes will be harder, but that is to be expected. The bottom notes on the Aulos are a smidgen easier to play than the Yamaha. On the other hand, it does seem that the top notes are a little thinner on the Aulos vs. the Yamaha, but I am a new player and also haven't spent much time with the Aulos yet.

The fake woodgrain is a plus! The simulated woodgrain on the Aulos soprano looks much better than bare plastic of my Yamaha soprano. Though, I also bought a Yamaha alto recorder in woodgrain, and I would say the Yamaha woodgrain is slightly better - it has a bit more "texture" and more of a cherry tone. On both, I find the woodgrain makes the recorder less slippery and easier to hold, so I am only going to get recorders with this treatment from now on.

The Aulos recorder comes with a "pleather" bag (a bit nicer than the canvas one that comes with a Yamaha), a stick to clean the instrument, and a thumbrest. Unlike the Yamahas, this Aulos did not include recorder grease (the manual recommends "vegetable grease").

Overall, great recorder!

Lovely quality up and down this recorder. It plays easily and clearly.. It lacks the reedy quality of a Zenon or Yamaha but the sound is brilliant and accurate. It is mislabeled as a "classroom recorder" when in fact, it can easily hold its own with the best plastic recorders.