I also like the deeper tone. I'd characterize it as very little drone. It's more than stock, but not annoying and only in one condition I've observed - about 1700rpm on a slight incline on a highway. Nobody else in the car has mentioned a "drone" so it may just be me looking for it because people talk about it on these forums with other exhaust systems. The solve for drone seems to be applying sound deadening material in the trunk, so no big deal if it were to bother someone. I'm happy with the exhaust - it still surprises me because it is quiet at low RPM then when you get on it sounds excellent and louder than you were used to (but not too loud) so I do get pleasantly reminded it's there when I give it some gas. From audio clips I feel like it sounds similar to MBRP...thermal costs a couple hundred more, but is nice and polished 304. Welds look nice too