The saving in money on a DX-1 is IMHO worth less than the reduction is sound quality from other Martins. Other than the very "entry level" (by their price standards) almost all Martins are pretty good and some very good. But like all other guitars they do vary. A friend recently bought a D-35 on ebay and it sounds not as good as the Stew-Mac he built for himself.

However, the thread was about cheap solid-top and again IMHO there are no cheap Martins.

At the very top of the price range Martins are I think outshone by the best luthier-built guitars. But for factory guitars that range from the good to the very good, yes, they are fine, and for my taste more a folk sound than the Gibsons. If I were a claw-hammer blues player after a good factory guitar Gibson would be a good safe choice.

Perhaps Blue Ridge are cheaper in the USA than in the UK.   On the evidence I have so far, those I have played do not compete with other choices in their price range. They have some nice inlays, but the sound is not fully competitive. And if, as I have said above, they are something to do with Saga, I would never, ever, buy one. If you are planning on relying on the Saga guarantee, buyer beware!