I had been looking for a dreadnaught for the last couple of years and A/B'ed a lot of instruments in the 2 to 3K price range and I played a bunch of D-28's and HD-28's, a nice used Collings, a Santa Cruz, a Bourgeois Vintage D but wound up with a used Huss & Dalton TDR. I have to admit that the quality of the HD-28's I played was surprisingly consistent. I don't think I played one that didn't sound good but I wound up with the H&D because it had the sound (more balanced, not too boomy with a good whoompf in the mid-range and a loud clear treble) and playability I was looking for.
For me it's Ears, Hands, Eyes.......................Name on headstock.