Every player will have an opinion of particular banjoes. Assuming that the banjo is a good quality instrument, it really does come down to your own preferences in how you want an instrument to sound.
Different densities of wood will affect the overall tone and sound of a banjo, but you can only judge the differences by listening to both.
A verbal description of the tone etc. of a banjo will never replace actually listening to it.
Do you have the opportunity to try both out and compare them? If you are stuck with the problem of American distances, and not able to actually get to the same location as the instruments, how about asking for the maker to record the same think played on your two choices, so you can listen to the tone?
Just a thought.
Quack!
Geoff.