I have kind of an ambivalent feeling about Sadowsky. Having owned 3 (1 NYC, 1 Metro and 1 Tokyo) and played several others (not just in stores, but also at gigs), I was never truly happy with the sound I got.
They are great playing basses, though, and I must admit that the P/J4 Metro I had sounded pretty damn good. I needed a 5 though, so I bought one from a local store (a Metro P/J 5 rosewood), and it sounded very nice, but not as good as the 4-string I used to have.
Now, I have no preference towards active/passive, ash/alder, maple/rosewood, 34"/35". I used to at some point, but having owned a lot of basses, I have found that there is no pattern to be found in the ones that I have decided to keep and play. But as for the 'on stroids' thing. The Celinder Update I used to own was beating any sadowsky I have ever played by far. But hey.. all of the above is just IMO, of course. Many love Sadowsky and they ae great basses - they are just not for me. Cheers!