I use an Ultra-skin soft on my Becue shafts and I can hit it as soft as I like.
I prefer a soft tip because I like to "feel" the ball on the tip and I want to "mute" the hit some. For me, a hard tip makes the cue ball come off the tip too "hot". The rebound is too quick for my liking.
I like to use a firm grip and "guide" the cue ball around the table with stroke speed and no spin when playing rotation games. When playing something like one-pocket, the soft tip allows me to finesse the ball..
I "like" the same things you like.
But, I can't play very long if I use a softer tip and I'm realizing it lately.
Currently, I'm using a kamui SS. I'm having to use much more energy to move the ball vs when I was using medium to soft tips.
My "touch" is better with SS tips but in rotation, whew....I feel like I'm working.
Of course, the ferrule that I just had installed softened the revo up a TON. I may have no choice, due to lack of energy to go back to a harder tip or change ferrule material.....something..... that's for sure.
I'm getting tired of being worn to a frazzle in about half the time it took this time last week.