Are they worth it? I don't know.
I just got the SE woodwinds/brass/percussion after swearing off of VSL thanks to my experience with their classic strings. I don't regret these new purchases nearly as much, but they have issues that, while few, are really glaring in comparison to more modern options. Plus, there is the dongle drama.
If these things were to ever be resolved, I'd be ecstatic and quick to recommend VSL for everything but strings, even though spatialization is a pain, and I've never been convinced by MIR, at least not in the available demos.
As far as "dry" and extremely playable VI's are concerned, I am just waiting for the day when I can afford LASS, and Sample Modeling's brass. For woodwinds and percussion, I might stick with VSL and get the full versions. My opinions on this stuff change by the day, though.