I've never played any commercial recordings through the PA, but I can tell you for sure, the monitors are a bit lacking in the bottom end kick but the mains are pretty solid.
The A-T at $89 sounds promising, and you're right, they have never been mentioned in my quest. The Shures and everything else that's come up, start at around $200 and go way the hell up from there. If I've got to spend that kind of money I guess I will but I'd really like to get by on the cheap side and still get the job done. Like I said , I'm not recording, all I'm trying to do is make life a little easier on my drummer and get a nice clean punchy thump. I'm not micing any other drums at this point.
Thanks , and keep 'em coming.
Rick