Spuzz I'm no expert, but I think the 3-piece is a decent ball. If it was $40-$50 per dozen I'd say it's way overpriced. MGS rated the AVX a good ball and that has to be the worst ball I've tried lately. It's a superball around the greens IMO. I felt like I lost a stroke a hole playing that thing and can't believe it actually has any urethane in its cover. It's longer off the driver than the Kirkland, but not by a huge amount for me.
I don't consider myself a complete ball snob, but I insist on a urethane cover and it better have some check on the greens from inside 50 yds.
I tried some Maxfli Tour balls that someone gave me just recently and they seemed pretty good. The Tour was shorter off the driver than some of the firmer balls, but overall good and my buddy said they ended up being $20/dozen.