He asked for favorite brands. Mine that I have dealt with over the last 10 years is Niles; and more specifically the rs8. I personally think they sound the best and blend in with our landscaping the best in the area where i'm installing. They come with stakes/tethers, they are well made, sound good and even come with waterproof grease in the wire nuts.

Why I am not a fan of Rockustics...it seems that just about every time I have to install one the finish is either peeling off or chips are missing out of the material. Don't get me started on those annoying packaging peanuts they are packaged in and personally I don't like the way they sound.

The fact that they are a favorite at theme parks around the country and can reproduce "It's a small world" all day long doesn't convince me; although I can appreciate the scope of their distribution from a business sense.

Just my opinion and that's what was asked for.