My top Two favorite improvements in x3 are 1. The new color options. This really is a great feature for big projects and 2. The new Quad curve EQ. This is very helpful, especially if you're a blind old guy like me. having a built-in spectrum analyzer in the EQ is a great asset.
 
I also like the improvements in things like the new comping feature, VST 3, and all the fixes. All this without the third party stuff make the upgrade something to consider. but when you add in the third party plugs it becomes a no brainer to upgrade. The nomad collection is pretty cool so is Addictive Drums.
 
Other things like the new bifilter2 and the Tape emulator are great too. When I add all this up the upgrade makes sense to me, It is true they swap out third party stuff from time to time, but in my opinion it is always for something better. TH2 is better than Guitar rig. breverb is the best third party reverb they have had so far.
 
Over all I think things are improving in the Sonar X series. Sonar itself is improving. The upgrade is not just a collection of new third party plugs. In my opinion it just keeps getting better. 
 
 

For me, I think Sonar is moving in a wonderful direction.
 
It's great to see 3rd party developers on board - of course they will entice you to purchase full blown products, that's 99.9% of the reason they're on board in the first place! It's certainly not out of altruism.

+1 to all the responses. IMO, X3 was a quantum leap above X2. The value in that alone was worth the upgrade to me.
 
As far as "bait and switch" with Melodyne...
   1) Melodyne Essential will suit many user's needs without the upgrade to Editor.
   2) The upgrade to Editor was a bargain as well ($150 versus $300).
   3) Melodyne released a patch to improve the ARA functionality (with X3) so this partnership is a great one. X3 coming out of the chute with ARA on board and it being as nice as it is is rather impressive to me.
 
People love to find bugs, but so much of it WORKS (very well actually).

CakeAlexS

 
It's about time we had a "Like" button

I simply cannot agree with any part of your sentiment whatsoever..

I think Cakewalk provides tremendous bang for the buck. I don't follow the logic of the OP at all.
 
Regards,

X2 would be the exception for bang for the buck. But then I wanted to shoot that release so there may be a bigger bang...

Mystic38
I simply cannot agree with any part of your sentiment whatsoever..

I have to agree too that I cannot agree with the OP.  My suggestion would be to move on to Pro Tools or Cubase if you really feel that what the Cake people are doing is disturbing.
 
They don't HAVE to give us anything extra.  I had already purchased Melodyne Editor several months before X3 came out so my serial for Essentials is still sitting quietly in my account.  Was I aggravated that X3 included a free version of Melodyne?... of course not.  I felt as though I got more than enough other free stuff anyway.

Mystic38
I simply cannot agree with any part of your sentiment whatsoever..

Who?
 
Me or the OP?