i found the altos about a whole number too soft, but i can get them for just over $20 a box at the moment 
My experience exactly. They work well with the JJ DV NY.52nd Street said:I've played about three boxes of them (tenor #3,5)
Yes, I find that they do last longer than most reeds. No, in my experience they do not run half a size softer than others brands.
I can honestly say that all Francois Louis reeds I tried were excellent players.