I have the 6.5 Acro. It's a great drum.
The Pearl is a nice one too though (well, all of Pearl's snares are nice IMO).
Not surprised that Larry likes his BRONZE Sensitone, over the BRASS BB, being as he is a fan of wood snares. That Bronze shell is really great, one of my faves. I don't really have an issue with seamed shells really. There's some small differences, but so what? You tune a drum to sound the way you want, so it's gonna sound like "your snare" regardless of a seam or not.
The P-85 strainer is an issue for some, they were fine for me when I had them.
I've had the P-86 on my snares since they came out (years ago), and have never had any issues with them (10). I like how they look more than the 85, so I changed the few I had, and just kept buying with an 86.
I use Ludwig's gold colored cord on my snares, and I haven't had to change any sets in since I put them on (more than a year), so having screws rather than key head screws isn't really an issue to me either. I also carry a screwdriver (in a multi-tool) in my small parts box on gigs--but you'd be shocked at how many drummers don't even have a drum key at gigs(!!) so having key head screws on their snare strainer wouldn't help them if something needed fixing anyway haha!
Ludwig's edge (and snare bed) is a little different than Pearl's, so there will be some sound differences.
It's not like you'd "go wrong" buying a Pearl, so it's up to you.
However, thinking a(ny) Ludwig snare isn't going to hold up to giging (for one reason or another) is just not accurate IMO--or experience of using them on gigs since 1986.
Have fun choosing!!!
BTW, the Acro Classic, Brushed Aluminum shell blows away the Blackrolite.