You don't say what caliber rifle on which you want to use the brake, and that factors in. The FB is a big brake. I looked at it for my first custom build in 6.5CM year before last and decided on its little brother, the Little B*rd. That was the gen-1 version. I just started breaking in a new 6.5CM rifle on a different action with a lighter barrel profile and put the gen-2 Little B*rd on it. I considered the gen-3 with the top ports, but I'm able to spot my impacts just fine with the gen-1 brake so elected to save $60 and run gen-2 (I needed the self-timing capability as this is a switch-barrel rig) instead of -3. That's not to say -3 is a gimmick; I can't state that because I haven't used it.
If you run a google search on "muzzle brake test," you'll find several interesting tests and some are quite comprehensive. There are also lots of threads here on SH about the subject. The search function works quite well. Use it. If you're a newbie, you'll have lots of basic questions which have been answered / discussed / argued over in great plenty, and people here will be appreciative of your looking at existing info before asking for it again.
As for the report: brakes are loud. All of them. The APA brakes are reportedly among the loudest... but if how loud it is matters, you're gonna get told to get a suppressor.
Welcome. Lots of info here.
