My advice - try both. Don`t check the brand before you start to play. Take another "pair of ears" with you (a teacher?)
Couple months ago I had same problem.
Everything depens on personal preferences.
Share you experience with us, O.K.?

And don`t forget that whatever the instrument is, it will need servicing sometime. Your flute chosen only on "personal preference" may be in for a rude shock if, because of a low standard of manufacture, it needs far more expensive servicing, and has far greater unreliability. You will also be in for a rude shock if your instrument, based only on "personal preference", quickly suffers from pitting of the silver plating, and feels like sand paper.

If an instrument is cheap, it is for a reason. A flute has on it some high-precision, intricate mechanism, that needs to function well and be reliable long-term. To make this to a high standard, with quality materials, does cost quite a lot more money than just slapping together something that looks like a flute, and happens to temporarily impress an inexperienced player.

BTW I am writing here of cheap flutes in general.

Buyer beware!

"There is hardly anything in the world that a man can not make a little worse and sell a little cheaper. And people who consider price alone are this man`s lawful prey."
- John Ruskin (1819 - 1900)

However if we are talking about the wide range of professional instruments from makers respected for their expertise in this field, then they are ALL made to a very high standard, and "personal preference" does become the most important criterion.

This is NOT the case with student instrument choices, which include some VERY inferior manufacture.

I agree Meme, unless you are getting your flute of ebay, then it will no doubt be cheap for a reason.
bethx

I would stick with Yamaha!!

I would strongly advise NOT `just sticking to Yamaha`. Although Yamaha is a very good brand, (in Meme`s top 8 when she services), you should go in to buy an instrument with a fairly open mind. You obviously don`t want to buy an instrument that breaks, but within any well-known brands you should really pick the flute you like best, not just think `it`s a yamaha - i`ll get it`
Beth x

I am male. :-)

Meme, are you maybe a repairman? (service-man)

Yes.