Ok I'm not sure if you're trying to compare the Axis longboards to the DW's or the Axis As to the Xs.
When comparing the Axis longboards to the DWs, it's pretty much like comparing apples to oranges. If you ever go from a "regular" pedal like iron cobras, dws, or whatever to the longboards, chances are the switch won't be smooth at first. They feel WAY different. The Axis pedals are way smoother than even the DW 9000s (I've owned both) so you may actually find yourself playing faster than you want (it may feel like your feet are getting carried away) until you get used to them.
The main issue with the longboards is that you have more surface area, and it's basically a matter of leverage. When you place the ball of your foot down towards those last couple inches of the longboard (assuming you play heel up), you barely have to move your foot to get the full range of motion out of the beater. Therefore it's easier to play fast and your endurance is increased greatly, as you're doing less work to get the same motion from the beater.
I use Axis ALs now, and I could never go back to DWs or any other pedals without quite a bit of struggling. On the Axis pedals I often play "double bass" parts with just my right foot because it sounds more solid and I don't get worn out on the Axis pedals. Some may consider using such an unconventional product cheating in a way, but what would you rather do, ride a horse or drive a car to work?
I think the main downside to the Axis pedals is that they're so different from other pedals that theres no real going back once you get used to them, and if you use them all the time, and something goes wrong and you have to borrow some iron cobras or something good luck. You're going to struggle. I bought a second backup set just for this reason.
Also I don't care for the Sonic Hammer beaters the A series pedals come with. They sound too weak or something. Danmar wood beaters or even Iron Cobra beaters sound much better, so you'll probably want to switch them.
Now if you were just asking about the differences between the Axis As and the Axis Xs, don't let the pictures on musiciansfriend fool you. I think they have the same set of pedals with different beaters in their pics. In reality, the A's come with sonic hammer beaters, which are kind of lame, and they have little levers that change the leverage point for the direct drive "strap". If you set it all the way back, a little bit of pedal movement equals a lot of beater movement. If you set it to the front, you have to move the pedal a bit further to get the same movement, but you also get more power. I keep it at about 75% towards the front. The X's have more standard beaters which probably sound beater than the Sonic Hammers, and they don't have the variable drive lever, so you're stuck with one setting. From the photographs, it seems to be at about the point where the variable drive lever on the A's would be if it were set fully forward.
Damn that was a long post. I hope it answers your question.
