I've played both the new 814 and 816, and I think they are an improvement over the previous generation -- and I say that as an owner of a previous-generation 814. Whether or not you feel that the tone improves things or muddies the waters is a question only you can answer for yourself. As for me, I've given serious thought to cashing in my 814 and getting a new one. Ultimately, I decided not to, but only because my 814 isn't my primary guitar.
My observation is that when Taylor makes a change that a player doesn't like, it's often perceived as marketing hype. When that same player decides that the change represents actual improvement, then Taylor is lauded for not resting on its corporate laurels. I don't happen to think Taylor ever engages in marketing hype: I think they believe they are improving their guitars when they make a change.
Oh, man o man, I could get in trouble here with what I'm about to say, and I hope I'm not hijacking this thread. if I'm not excommunicated, I can move it to a new thread.
Reading DennisG's quote , "My observation is that when Taylor makes a change that a player doesn't like, it's often perceived as marketing hype," an issue came to mind with which I felt Taylor did engage in a type of marketing hype, that is, when they launched their original ES (post fishman barn-door) and in the years that followed. They said it sounded natural, but to my ears, and I suppose I'm not alone, it sounded anything but and had that b string quack spoken of so much in many forum threads.
Please don't get me wrong, I LOVE TAYLOR, I'm on my 5th! 
And what the ES did do well, that is, control feedback, was amazing.
Still, it sounded like an electric guitar (to me). Now my most recent purchase is an end of year 2013 514ce equipped with the ES2 and that sounds way closer to natural, in my view, than the earlier iterations (ES1-a, b and c, although c was far better than the first two, though still slightly unnatural sounding compared to the ES2).
There was a point along the way where I actually felt Taylor marketed in a way that was deceptive, rather than just hype, and I felt they knew that or they wouldn't have made such drastic attempts at improvements, particularly with the voicing change between ES1-b and c (one less top sensor and better EQing) and of course the subsequent drastic change of completely ditching the ES1 technology for the new ES2.
Please know I recognize two things: 1) Technology evolves and this was Taylor's first attempt at their own ES, so naturally improvements would be made over time, and 2) that it's all in the ear of the beholder and lots of people were able to EQ/mold theirs to where they really liked the original ES1 iterations. But, I can't tell a lie, I did feel there was an overhyping and a type of deception (as regards to naturalness of sound) and for a while I felt stung by that fact, though I understand their goal was to sell guitars, and as stated earlier, the feedback control more than made up for the quackiness for guys using it on big stages with bands where the pureness of tone wasn't as necessary with engineers to mix and other instruments and voices to blend with.
The ES2 is a great pickup, though, and I'm looking forward to exploring its dynamic control and other facets. I'm glad they've made it to this version and looking forward to even more improvements.
