Thing is, ya just gotta play it to know it and I think particularly for acoustics. I'd recently purchased a new acoustic (a Fender T-Bucket - reviewed here). It was only $300. Not that this is the guitar for you but, when I was trying out a number of them, this one had the sound and the feel I really liked. I wouldn't have known that until I played one.

Can you get a great guitar for 6 to 800 clams. Yep. Just gotta play them. The name on the headstock is unimportant if the feel and tone speak to you and particularly in acoustics.