In my book they sound and play great for the $. I've yet to find one in that price range that play or sound better, and have played a lot of more expensive ones that are worse. just my 2 cents.
They aren't bad for their price range (well the older ones) the last few ones I have played were...meh.
But they are a $40 instrument. I have never had one with perfect intonation. It wasn't bad but it was off a little. They only way I knew they were off though was with a tuner. So it was pretty close.
The dolphins have a cultish following here. I think this happened b/c they are pretty good for their price and people expected a lot worse in that price range. I just have never put that much faith into them. When I give one away, I always tell people that it isn't perfect but it is pretty darn good for the price.
I am really digging these new Ohana student models.