I compared them to uncoated D'Addario 10/47's that I fitted on a guitar only a few days before, because they are de facto the standard. Both sets have the same freshness and scale length, so the comparo is fair. The Adamas set has a slightly more metallic tone, but not cold, and its harmonics at the 5th, 7th and 12th frets are somewhat less loud and a tiny bit less chimey, and that might be due to the coating.
Both sets have the same feel when fretting the notes, and when doing bends. I did four or five bends on each strings, and the tuning was just as stable with both brands. The loudness and feel of hammer-ons is the same.
Scratch noise is lesser with the 1717NU set, the competitor is a little rougher in that regard, but only by a very small amount.
So, overall, the D'Addario confirm their reputation for a warm sound, but they do lose some crispness in the long run. The Adamas should retain it for a longer time, I will post an edit in a few months or weeks when the two sets are worn a bit. First impression is very good, D'Addario is better by a small margin when brand-new, but Adamas should keep its perfomance over a more extended time. We'll see.
Edit: After a couple months, playing both sets several times each week, the Adamas retain a surprising level of clarity, aesthetic freshness, and authoritative sound. The D'Addario uncoated set went a little less loud by a very small margin, but kept its warmth of course. Despite the somewhat more metallic (albeit not cold) tone, the Adamas makes a stunning impression on me. They do keep a very comfortable amount of the quality of the brand-new shimmer. So, which is better? None. Uncoated D'Addario if you insist on warmth, and Adamas for the edge in durability.
At nearly the same time I did this comparo, I acquired a jumbo Harley Benton with coated Adamas 12-53 strings (that I tune down a half-step), and that set too, kept a surprising and delightful share of its brand-new tone.
