Got my Volar pads today in the mail and put them on. Sanded the rotor a little with 400 grit.
They squeaked at first and didn't grip well, but once quiet and settled in, they seem at least marginally better than the old ones, which appeared to be some unknown red-branded organic pad. Not sure though. Might post some pictures later.
I didn't use any silicone or anti-squeal, so they are naturally quiet on my bike. Even the old ones were usually quiet unless the wheel was removed and reinstalled. Then it would have to settle back in.
I didn't go through a gentle break-in period. Since I am testing these pads, I did a few sudden stops. They work. One thing I noticed is a somewhat firmer feel in the lever. I know that if the front brake is jabbed suddenly without using the rear brake or progressive pressure, the front tire may lock. Otherwise, they still appear to be old-fashioned anti-lock brakes.
Once the front tire has the bike's weight, you can almost bottom out the lever. Not sure If I have managed to really bottom it out, though. Does this mean the front tire simply has enough grip, or is the brake fading?