i would suggest trying one before writing it "off". i was sceptical of the shape of the external hoop, but found it actually very comfortable. my experience with them is that if i am the only tabla in the tahkt (small ensemble), then i like to play my remo because of the warmth and resonnance of the dumm, and the takk is fine on its own. (the smallest of the 3 sizes has the sharpest takk).

but if i'm playing in a larger ensemble, esp w/ other tablas involved, then i will play my Egy Gawhara, which cuts through everything like a surgical steel knife. the down side of the aluminum drum is the dumm is weak (which isnt a problem when playing with an ensemble or other drummers)

some people, like faisal, are finding a happy medium by installing a remo skyn deep head on an aluminum tabla, and getting a warmer dumm withouot compromising a crisp takk