Lets clear up a few things
[quote]But there is no drum IMO the can keep up with the Force 3005, Thats' cost is in the 1000 range.[/quote]
Mapex ProM would be the closest.

[quote]i'm sure if you did a side by side comparison between 3005s and any other intermediate level maple kit that had the same heads on with the same tensioning, you wouldn't notice too much of a difference between them.[/quote]
The sound would be the only similarity. Sonors have their own distinctive kick drum sound, which is probably the biggest thing Ive noticed about them, but the hardware stands miles above similar classed kits.

The other point is that there simply arent any other large scale serious maple kits in that price range, aside from (once again) the Mapex Pro M.

[quote]Oh yeah, about the fusion size thing. It sounded cold because you can't always get the great tone out of a fusion tom (floor) versus an actual floor tom that stands independantly. 2 of my 3 kits are fusion kits and they don't have nearly the clear sound that my standard kit has.[/quote]
Thats just a ridiculous statement - Mounted toms will give you a slight bit more resonance, depending on what heads you use and how you tune, but that has nothing to do with clarity. I have floor toms that absolutely thunder. Floor toms that stand independently are usually deeper which gives them a slightly boomier sound than a hanging tom, but dont often cut too well with bands. Hanging toms are punchier in sound due to their lesser depth. They are alsoy more forgiving with tuning and are more portable. Thats why fusion kits are outselling standard kits 3:1 currently.

[quote]Sonor huh? Well, let's look at this from the best for your buck overall cost to the consumer. Where is Sonor made? [/quote]
Force Series = China
S-Class, Delite, Designer = Germany
[quote]Why does it cost sooo much?[/quote]
The high end gear costs a lot because of the quality. The Force series stuff is not expensive at all. In fact its better prices than most competitors when you consider the quality of what you get.
[quote]Why can't you get the same thing here in the states (so to speak)?[/quote]
You can, you just have to look a little harder. Unfortunately not all companies are going to thrust a catalogue into your mailbox for you - youll have to go for a bit of a hunt. Hohner is the distributor for Sonor in the US.

[quote]however what about ordering parts,[/quote]
Not a problem.
[quote]hardware design[/quote]
Sturdy and attractive
[quote]mounting design?[/quote]
Attractive, practical, minimal and diverse
[quote]These are things that should also be taken into consideration as well as sound quality and tone. Don't you think? [/quote]
Very much so, which is why I have bought Sonor over any other company - dw, Pearl, Tama, Ayotte, GMS... You name it.

True. It just all depends on the sound you want.

I happen to like the big rock sound of the 80's.

^As do I - Im a child of the 80s after all...

But I can get just as big a sound on either kit - standard or fusion. The difference is that the fusion kit will have the extra punch on a live stage.

geezus, even after people explain to him he still doesnt go and just edit his million little posts into a larger, more relevant post. i would point out some flaws in the arguments of his but they've been pointed out a dozen times by them time im done reading this thread..

oh and proMs/cx's are kinda close to 3005...

and i havent played a 3005, but a band just played with one in an amazing finish out in the memorial union at ASU, and it was thunderous. i believe the snare was a designer though. too bad he had pinstripes on the rig..