As Art points out, the Ovation can be a bit difficult to handle depending on your waist measurement, (in my case it was like two worlds colliding!) which is why it's important to try it standing up.
I bought mine, years ago, from a sitting position, having played it thoroughly and checked it all out.
I sold it a few months later (when I eventually caught up with it) and bought something more girth-friendly.
I can't advise you on guitars in your price range (here in the UK guitars like Martins would be way more expensive) but I would urge to look at the used market. The very best guitars are never brand new. Some can take years to "play-in" and develop their tone and it's quite possible to pick up a good quality make at mid-range prices.
Good luck.