To me...the more a plane leans towards 3D the more they are all the same. I fly a Sukohi, Yak, Edge and Extra and I can't really tell much difference between any of them. I can tell you slight differences. The Yaks seem to be the hardest to land and have the least amount of coupling in Knife Edge. The Edge is the easiest to land and does the best waterfalls, and flat spins and stalls with the least amount of problems. The Edge is probably the most forgiving and the least precise of the group.
The best flying overalll is the Sukohi. It's a peach and I love it. But for just having the most fun I like the Edge. It's the most relaxing to fly. I have more Yaks than anything else...so I must like them as well. I have three giant scale Yaks.
If you want a plane to do the best 3D...then the Edge is the answer. If you want to combine precision and 3D than the others will be a better combo plane. I think the extra is the most precise and the least at 3D. The Sukhoi and Yak are better at 3D and still pretty good at 3D.
If this is your first gasser...I'd go with the Edge (Wildhare is probably the best buy right now) (maybe the Great Planes 27% would be good also) as it is the easiest to fly and have fun with and is a great 3D plane.
Hope that helps more than confuses.
Thanks
Barry