Now I have three Martins...an old D 18, a D16RGT (solid spruce and solid rosewood), a DCX1E (solid top, HPL back and sides) and a Sigma DR 41. They each have advantages. The X model sounds fine unamplified and great plugged in at gigs, the D16RGT is opening up and has a very sweet sound...but not as much volume as I would like on the high E string. The Sigma (which has a Fishman Gold +) may be the best of all the instruments and it has laminated rosewood back and sides. It sounds wonderful plugged in and acoustically.

The D 18 is also terrific, but I don't want to subject it to gigs anymore. According to reputation and expense, the X model and the Sigma should be the worse of the bunch...but they're just as nice or better in their own way. Still, every guitar is unique. Every piece of wood is different. Play them all and see what sounds and feels best for you instead of buying something someone says is best.