Uh Taylor guitars do not use laminated tops. They're all solid tops as far as I can remember. The 114ce should have a solid spruce top with laminated sides.

If you want that extra bass in your strumming, then Martins are the way to go.
Taylors are traditionally known for their bright, fingerpicked sound.

That being said, I own an OM-1 (Solid top, solid sapele sides/back) and my god the mids are crazy clear. Absolutely a match for the Taylors.
I got it for around RM2000 brand new on eBay. Best deal I've done in my life. 

I've heard rave reviews for Farida guitars, but i'm still not buying them xP

Matons are crazy good guitars, too bad they're damn expensive, even in Australia. I stay less than 20km from their factory but their prices are still hiked up to match the Martins and Taylors. 
I REALLY REALLY like the Maton EM325C, but it's too expensive for its specs IMO.

id say, Taylor is a lot more high-end than martin.

anyway, strings play important role too.

so not much diff in terms of sound from either two guitars,

u shud use Elixir strings.

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?

It's the setup.

String action depends on;

1. Saddle height

2. Nut height

3. Bridge height

4. Truss rod allignment

It can be done, like how I've done to my cheapo acoustic I've bought for RM200.

The action can be adjusted with many variables, is not just on the brand/materials/workmanship.

Cheaper guitars = massly produced = lack QC

Hence more uneven frets, higher saddle n nut, etc etc.

The only drawback is even with complete setup, still have to adjust truss rod more regularly than better built guitars with better material.

ya i think he meant cannot be lowered anymore.. like the max you can lowered on a guitar?

ya maybe he meant some decent guitar after setup can have even better feel, but some below average guitar can't do much to it gua? my one is the solid top version of fender. dunno which series dy..

haha my guitar cost 1.2k.. but i seriously think if i get the takamine same price as this , just without the plug-ins will sound better and playability is better. =P

Mine is Fender 120 something solid top with the fishman eq. i know that's not a good acoustic but cuz i dig Fender, i bought it.. haha 

After changing the original strings to lighter guage strings, the playability has improved termendously. =D

R you serious? Don't you feel soundless for acoustic? I'm using .12 and above all time. Used .11 once and .10 once. Real nightmare.

Me too i don't know why my fingers won't grow 'immune' to those stress.. maybe cuz i didn't play that often.. Actually i saw a solution for this where it is call "extra light with bass" kinda strings set. The packet has some different guage strings for the mid bass to bass strings.