Gotcha. I was familiar with the the rounds, but this is really my first real exposure to flats. I'd tried a few, and usually they make it 2 days. I did almost two months with the ECB81 chromes, which are the current record holder. These roto flats with 105 E feel less tense than the 100 chrome - I don't know if that's just subjective experience or inconsistent manufacture, but so far they feel pretty ok and I totally hear you on at least the initial out-of-the-box sound. I've heard from a lot of people that they don't die gracefully, I guess we'll see!
OP, red silk could be the Rotosound flats we're talking about. I haven't seen them in person but it looks like the uber expensive TI Flats could also be a possibility? I don't have any experience but people say they feel floppy - maybe that's what you have?
My friend swears by his Cobalt flats. I may give them a shot next. The installation directions seem weird, but they are supposed to give you a roundwound sound with more of a flatwound feel.
