I remember that, when fitting SC3s after Dunlops, the lack of noise on the way home was quite eerie. A dramatic difference, so either Dunlop have got better since then, or SC5s are noisier than SC3s of that time.
Its a while since I had SC3s on mine. I wasn't hugely impressed with them, so went back to SP9000, as grip was important, and I found the SP9000 had similar life as the SC3 (about 15k/1yr). Tyres were cheaper anyway, so it wasn't that much of a burden. The SC3 was quieter than the SP9000, noticibly so.
When I couldn't get SP9000, I went, after much debate here, for Sport Maxx TT. My initial impression of them at the time was:
It was lashing down when I left WIM - the sort of rain where, in their workshop, you couldn't hold a conversation due to rain in the roof. Got about 4m up the road, have to pull out of a roundabout on a busy road, no choice but to go for small gap. I was expecting tyres to light up, and the back end to overtake, but, no, it gripped, and took off.
Ever since, I continue to be impressed. Wet and dry grip (stopping, cornering, accelerating), brilliant. In snow, "OK", but drive carefully. Life, really struggle to get 10k from them.
Cheapest TT's I could get were £600 for 4, so although cheaper than Conti, still a financial hit to replace in less than a year.
As I grow older, I have slowed down, esp since the Rover incident. So sacrificing a bit of grip for a more durable tyre is more viable than previously.
Moving on to SC5, too early to comment, they are still wearing in. Initial impressions aren't good, though, from grip perspective. Although it could be they give plenty of audible feedback way before the limit. Note, I have not pushed them hard yet.