Currently im considering trialing the following from http://www.flutesmith.com
Muramatsu EX
miyazawa 202
altus 907

i currently play on a yamaha 361 with a burkart head, and will possibly use the burkart head on the new flute...something to consider.

Any other flutes to consider? Different flute shops to trial from?

OR, im in the orlando area, are there any flute shops near here(3 hr driving distance or so) that has a big selection of flutes(new and used) in my price range?

Looks like you have some excellent choices picked to trial already. Firstly, before I can recommend any other brands/models you will need to tell me what your price range it. Also, what are you looking for as playability goes on a flute? Muramatsu will be a darker sounding flute out of your pick listed.

You couldn't have picked a better place to trial flutes! The Miyazawa company and JL smith are simply my favorite merchants to do business with. You can expect that their flutes will be in perfect playing condition and they will cater to every need. Liz at JL smith is a God sent! Your Burkart headjoint will really open up the sound on a Muramatsu, so if it fits, definitely try that! Good luck!

My price range would have to be between 3.5-4k MAX.
In a flute i am looking for:
More consistent tone throughout the range.
Better scale.
better mechanism.

I am really looking forward to trialing these flutes.

Are you trialing them for colleges because you're in college or are you going into college next year?

im currently a senior in high school

If you know where you're going next year, you should contact your future flute teacher. They might have preferences, or bad experiences with certain brands.

Concerning the cost range you pointed, I've got my new Mura EX III for US$ 3,550 directly from Muramatsu America. It's an excelent flute for the money.

Other thing is that there is no such thing as the best scale, better mechanism or tone consistence in modern flutes in the market. What is really important is that the flute you choose is the best for you. So this is a matter of trying as many as you can.

In my case I just bought my last two flutes blindly. Why is that? Because I live far far away and don't have any dealers where I could try many flutes. I was very lucky though, because my sense told me to buy these two flutes (One gold Sankyo and this recent EX-III), and I'm really in love with them (even taking to account that they both are COMPLETELY different in many aspects).

good luck

Okay ... then, wait until you do your auditions and then contact your flute teacher. Depending on the teacher may depend on what he/she wants you to get.

future flute professor that is.

i wouldnt play something based on what my professor says if i dont like it/are not comfortable on it.

currently the mia and mura are pretty close.
the mia has a more clear projecting tone, and much more crisp articulation.
Although, the mura has a more even tone, and its not as bright, but its a tad muddy sounding almost.

i have a week, so i might post some videos.
thanks everyone.

Ok, I was trying different models but the same brands. Here is my thoughts (remembering that we are all different and that you need to try them). But, I worked with JL Smith and was super happy with them. They were wonderful!
I tried:
Altus 1107 and 1307: nice, but not my cup of tea. It had a sweet, pure tone. I like something a little bigger.
Muramatsu GX and DS: wonderful mechanism, silky smooth! Again, tone wasn't for me.
Miyazawa 602: Personally, I liked this best of those 3. Mechanism was nice and the tone was super special. It was different then any I have played. Sweet, powerful, and somewhat mysterious. Very special.

Personally, I ended up choosing a Powell Conservatory. I got the power I love mixed with great mechanism. But, until I played a modern piece of music (what I perform a lot) it was a tie between the Miyazawa and the Powell.

Good luck. And they are great to work with!