The Vandoren OPTIMUM features an elegant outer design that creates its own, distinctive sound that is immediately recognizable. Its interior design provides a mouthpiece that is free-blowing and quick to respond. This mouthpiece has the same sound qualities as the SL3 with a slightly larger tip opening. The conception of this series was the fruit of research on both external shape (particularly the beak) and sound, in order to meet the needs of today' saxophone players.