Specialized always the best. 
I looked at them when I got my Cannondale, which I commute on.
From what I could make out Specialized have become the BMW of the bike world. Mostly overpriced and dull, with a few exceptions. Plus bought by snobs.
I thought the same to be honest not because I know about them but the type of riders I see on them.
Was looking at Cannondale but none came up cheap enough for me. Which Cannondale have you got DH?
Only reason I got a Trek was that my brother in law has them (he is seriously into cycling and his ones of them, 2 are around £3.5k). He has the pleasure of going in the Californian Mountains, which is nice.