I use timbales in my set-up, but not all the time, just when the gig or music genre calls for it.

I also have a timbongo, which is a 10-inch wood shell drum. It looks like a small timbale, but has bongo qualities because of the wood shell. Anyway, it's small ... makes it real easy to add to a set-up.

With the addition of secondary snares, many players, including myself, will just use the second snare with snares off ... playing it like a timbale at times. It's not the same, since it does have a resonant head, but if you are short on space (or cash), it's an easy way to get some 'timbalish' sounding licks or hits within your grooves and/or fills.

I do the muffled secondary snare thing sometimes.  It's not the same (as has been noted), but it works for the odd generic fill when that sort of flavor is desired.