Soft/Medium/Hard vs #?

[Sax Machine]

Hello everyone. After reading all the fascinating stuff that can be found even in just the reed forum, I still have this question.

http://www.wwbw.com/Rico-Jazz-Select-Filed-Bari-Sax-Reeds-i28509.music

As you can see, there is a Soft/Medium/Hard attribute in addition to the number. Anyone know what this means?

These and the Rigotti Golds I wanted are sold out currently, so there is time to learn more about reeds before I purchase more. I have discovered that for my beat up school bari sax I play in jazz band, I prefer softer reeds. I generally don't like to go *too* soft, but right now I am playing on 2.5 ricos. So, isn't 2.5 "soft", and 4 "hard" ? I am so confused.

[retread]

They indicate a 1/3 number change in hardness. For example, a Rico Jazz Select 2 Soft would be about the same as a Rico or Rico Royal 2. A Jazz Select 2 Medium would be a little softer than a 2 1/2, and a 2 Hard would be stiffer than a 2 1/2. A 3 Soft would equal a 3. But different brand of reeds can be harder of softer than another brand designated with the same number. I don't know how Rico and Rigotti reed strengths compare.