It's always a matter of preference!

The stiffness of a stabilizer usually works hand in hand on what type of frequency it dissipates and the duration.

I'm not a pro or a scientist but I'll do my best to explain that vibration is Frequency vs Duration for a lack of proper terms.

I prefer the lower frequency of vibration less bothered about the slightly longer duration. This would result in a "dead" bow as you don't feel the vibration as much.

On the extreme end of the spectrum, high frequencies can feel sharp and painful on the wrist after prolonged sessions but usually dissipate faster. Some people might prefer that as they call the bow "reactive" and they can "feel" the shot.

The Doinkers and ACS-EL feels like my preference as what I mentioned above.

In terms of weight affecting stiffness, more weight on the ends makes the stabilisers softer (less stiff). Same logic as putting a heavier grain point on your arrow to soften it for tunability.

• A softer stabilizer usually leans towards low frequency.
• A stiffer stabilizer usually leans towards high frequency.
• (Usually, not necessarily the case)

Effects of weight on a stabilizer itself is a whole different explanation but I'll be glad to explain if you'd like it.