What's the question -- which we think is better, or which we actually play?

It's which grip style you use, sorry about the vagueness.

Matched is only for set, in my opinion.

And mallets and all that auxiliary stuff if you want to get specific.

I still use traditional on set, but I mainly play jazz so thats not uncommon.

I would say even past mallets and auxiliary matched is a safe bet. Any snare drumming outside of marching is generally better to do matched because playing matched grip will give you a more consistent tone quality. Same goes for concert toms or any other sort of battery percussion you will play in a non-marching setting. However, I have seen Tom Gauger of the Boston Symphony Orchestra play bass drum in traditional grip for some sort of muffling or tone production purpose.

My 2 Cents.

"Traditional" grip is a solution to a problem that no longer exists (i.e. playing on a drum that is set off to the left side and at a tilt). Matched grip is ergonomically superior in every way.

There are three reasons I can see why traditional is still in widespread use:

1. Resistance to change. "This is how *trained* drummers play!"

2. Groups still use slings instead of carriers for various reasons - usually tradition, a desire to be "retro", or historical authenticity.

3. It looks kinda cool.

honestly... i dont think its possible to look intimidating if you use matched grip on a snare.
whenever i see a line using matched grip, i just think they look goofy.
also there can be some elbow room problems with lines that use matched. with traditional your right elbow is extended and your left hangs to your side. matched both elbows are extended, so you cant get as close to your other snares

i use traditional on set whenever i play set, but thats cause i have difficulty with matched and of course im a jazz kind of guy.

The reason i use Traditional grip is because I'm a big fan of Tradition. almost any corps you see play traditional and i think they look and sound great. the only reason that your tone quality would be any different with traditional vs. matched is if you are doing it wrong.