I've never tried the valk 5 before getting it, and it lived up to every expectation I had for it. It is fast, controllable, light, smooth, and overall an amazing cube. It feels like the X-man Shadow M, only faster and less bumpy. Get this if you are into 5x5 at all! I beat my PB shortly after getting it, (1:13.366), and, overall, my times are better than when I used the AoChuang GTS M. Would recommend 100/10!