Peter, no I have not tasted coffee from the artisian yet. I do understand what you are trying to say though.
Possibly they are roasting it too quick? I am not going to try to defend it or guess why it's coffee is believed sub par with NO real info to go on.
I DO own several I roasts as well. I have learned over the time to 'master them' they too are fluid beds and I have been told on numerous occasions, oh god, this is GOOD. It IS a different beast and 'fast' can happen... very fast, and ruin a roast, you have to learn to 'temper it'.
If you remember or not, I was critical on a few of the artisian threads because they were bragging how 'fast' they could do a roast in. This did not sit well with me. Then we had a member who bought one and said, he learned it and it's good, it is very controllable. A CFB roster is going to be different than drum by the nature of how it works but once learned, can give just as good of a cup of coffee I believe. I can easily see someone roasting too fast though on it, or umm drying the beans out too much??? if that's possible?? trying to stretch a roast. Loft is very critical. IMHO the best approach, control your heat with loft NOT watts as possible. anyways...
The behmor now
I feel I am pretty good on my Behmore. I have sent coffee to others, my 24 dollar a pound geisha I gave some to a fellow GCBC'er to try and he was very impressed with it.
Am I a master, umm.. nope, and don't think I ever will be. Once one says they are a master, they just admitted they (think) they know everything, and closed their mind to new ideas. I am not a master.
Thank you for your input. I am kind of very seriously considering one of the artisians, I do like the electric aspect, less crap to deal with, however there does not seem to be a ton of 'field experience' with it, and well, I try not to listen too hard to what the manufacturer / seller has to say about a product because they have a vested interest in it and may be a bit biased. Features, yes, wonderfullness.. ehh lets see now.
Aaron