Newtones have a full, round sound to me. They do not have the very very bright whispery qualities of the phosphor alloys - but I prefer that. I know the very bright sound is popular and I appreciate that, it's just not what I prefer.

Newtones sound great when I put them on, and they wear slowly. I can keep 'em on for two weeks, maybe three - and occasionally a little more, if I'm willing to compromise, or the weather is cool. They never go suddenly dead, and never completely dead. I pay a lot and even though I play two guitars, two or three weeks is a long life for me. I'm happy if I get that much out of them.