I have this kit and it sounds awesome, both in the studio and out live. I thought I'd have a problem live, but I've been told by my sound-man and by people in the audience, that the kit sounded better than an acoustic kit. That's because an acoustic kit really needs a good room to sound good. This kit sounds good everywhere. As far as the Yamaha vs Roland argument - my opinion is the Roland is far superior in expression. If you want to have the same sampled sound play, no matter where you hit the drum - then buy the Yamaha -- but if you want the drum sound to change when you play a buzz roll near the rim and different when you play it in the center of the drum - buy the Roland. The drums and the cymbals are positionally aware, so the sound changes wherever you play them. I found the Yamaha's to be lifeless because they lacked this feature.
I've had nothing but compliments since I got this kit: "Wow, you guys sounded better than you ever have." "The drums sound just like the record."
This kit gives back to you when you play it. It's the first electric kit that I've played that had true and realistic expression. You won't be disappointed.