if you guys are still shopping and trying out acoustics which are value for your money, do check out Seagull S6, which is the upper end of Art & Lutherie; Simon & Patrick. They have solid tops and is bangs for your bucks. A decent sounding model is less than 2K.

Seagull will blow Martin and Taylor modesl in the same price range. Check it out and let your ears be the judge! You'll be surprised!

Last but not least -
1. Guitar in a showroom always sound better than in the house
2. No point to test drive a guitar with deteriorated strings
3. No one commented on the neck comfort?
4. No one commented on the intonation of the guitar tested?