Phantom or TNT?

So far this Independence Day, we have tried the smoke balls and ground blooms made by the Phantom fireworks company, and I have to say that they do not compare to the quality of the TNT fireworks we bought last year. These smoke balls, for instance, do not produce the colored cloud that TNT smoke balls do; it's just a little stream. They also don't last as long. There simply isn't enough smoke to pretend you are traveling by Floo Network. (See photo at right.) I'm curious to know if anybody has TNT and Phantom side by side so they can compare. Are the smoke balls of both brands pathetic this year, or are Phantom fireworks just inferior? Perhaps both brands' smoke balls contain less powder this year so that they cost less to produce? Or did we just happen to buy a lame batch? I hope the Phantom fountains are good, because we chose not to go to the big fireworks in the sky in favor of a ground show at home. Looking forward to the King of Bling as our finale...