Resurrecting an old thread, but since I have both a Neo ybh831 baritone and a ybh621S at home this week (along with my Boosey and Hawkes round globe Sovereign), I have been alternating between all three for several days. The 621 is owned by the Mission Peak Brass band and was on loan from Tony Clements. The Neo is a new horn, under consideration to replace the Sovereign. My reactions match those of Doug. The 621S is made from heavy tubing and is noticeably heavier than the Sovereign or Neo, has a smaller bell, and a very bright sound not suited for a baritone, imho. However, it was very free-blowing, and matched the Sovereign in its ease of playing lip slurs. The Neo is beautifully made, with silky smooth valves, a lead pipe detached from the bell made from rose brass, and beautiful attention to detail. It has a nice tone, a bit darker than the Sovereign, but it has more resistance to playing, so lip slurs were harder than either of the other horns. I decided to keep the B&H Sovereign, even though it is an older horn with a number of cosmetic issues (it started life as a school horn in a Canadian Jr. HS). I wish I had access to a more recent, German-made Sovereign so I could compare.
San Jose Wind Symphony (on leave 2020)
San Francisco Brass Band
Mission Peak Brass Band
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Adams E1 Custom .5mm
Hirsbrunner Exclusiv 479
Besson 2056-2, 955, 982, Imperial Euphonium & Prototype BBb helicon