In my experience, there are differences in playability. They way they sound, roll, hit. My biggest issue though is that the higher end commands a high premium especially the established brands. I have the Premium and they are amazing to play with. However, I'm considering buying some 3rd party american premium equivalent pool balls from chinese manufacturers that makes balls for chinese heyball for 1/3 of the price that I paid for the aramith. I tried the heyball balls already and somehow they play close to the aramith, only they are just quite smaller considering they were for chinese heyball. The American counterpart are standard size.