i had the hornet for like 6months... I got it at the presale price, which was still pretty pricey. It sounds nice for what it is... When you start comparing stuff, and your using other people's opinons on where it goes in the scheme of things, it's becoming a dick measuring contest where the metric for comparison isn't even something everyone agrees in. It's like why asking the question "why does ray samuels suck?" begging that his gear does suck, and that you read a tidbit that says yea u should feel that way for justification. Your basically asking for a post that's going to shit all over rays gear if you ask here...
Not trying to be rude, since i know it's hard to really know what your sound is or anything at first. That's the only point I was trying to express.. The minimum i think most can agree on is that people like his gear cuz it looks cool, and most people will admit it sounds decent. If u go on head-fi, some guy started a whole 10 page thread on how cute his new raptor is and how he wants everyones opinion on how it matches his gear because to him that seems to be all that matters. He also buys really ugly headphones too for the same reason... If it all it takes to please u is a gray case with blue light, enjoy ; ).