Before I answer outright.

I spent some time helping a local bike shop get their computers in order. They were short handed so often enough I got sucked down onto the sale floor to help out. Eventually they decided to send me out to Cali for schooling at Specialized "University" to drink the S-Works Kool-aid. Let me be clear though, I am not a Specialized fan for the most part. They make good stuff but as a company I am not a big fan. Anyhoo, I was impressed with the lengths they go to R&D their saddles, and since I was selling the stuff, decided to try one. By this time I had been away from Brooks for 10 years and through experimentation knew I liked a flat-top saddle best.

I ordered the best Avatar Comp Gel saddle in the line. Retail was around $275. They no longer make my specific saddle but the one they make now is $100. Looks OK to me. This is billed as an "All Day" race saddle same as mine.

FIRST...go to a Specialized dealer and sit on their little arse measuring machine. Most of their saddles come in three widths. Order the Avatar Comp Gel in your width. Most bike shops will give you a little trial period to exchange the saddle if you don't like it. This won't take long because the saddle should feel like Angel's breath under you butt from day one. Once you find the Specialized saddle that works for you just about any quality saddle with that shape and width will work. Try to pick ones over $100 full retail and maybe catch a sale. My other bike has a WTB Silverado saddle with the same shape. Works fine. I never think about my arse on either saddle. Actually, I never think about the saddle at all. There is nothing to think about. Almost...

I had the habit of lifting my loaded touring bike by the handlebars and the back side of my Brooks. I used the Brooks as a handle as I used to carry a frame pump under the top tube which eliminated the top tube for lifting the bike. You know, just picking the bike up to move it sideways one foot to squeeze between the ice machine and the propane tanks at the grocery etc. Brooks saddles make fine handles for lifting - modern saddles not so much. I have never broken a modern saddle this way but common sense tells me to NOT use the light saddles as handles. This is really the only drawback.

A final note: When I purchased the Avatar saddle I assumed that I would be replacing it fairly often as compared to a Brooks. Guess what? Five years later the cover is a little dirty but no wear whatsoever and the gel/padding (very lightly padded so don't think marshmallows here) is still firm like the day I bought it. Even my WTB daily commuter is perfect with a zillion city miles on it. Five years for any soft bike component is GREAT, any more is gravy to me.

Hope this helps you touch the monolith!

Cheers!