Well, to be frank, Lee, I haven't heard the Audya "live"...in other words, I haven't played it.

I did play the G-70 and E-80, and I think their drum sounds are much less compressed than the Yamaha, but, a lot of people like the latter's tightness....I know I do.

I'm comparing the on line demos I heard of the Audya to the on line demos of the G70...it's all I have to go on, but it does give me at least a general idea of how they compare.

You don't need your ears checked...we all have a certain "sound" we like to hear, and you are drawn towards Audya's percussion...can't say I blame you...it is very good.

The guitars, on the other hand, still have a way to go.

BTW, the Audya's bass is excellent too...very "live" sounding.