Coming from a person who has owned both the Acoustasonic SFX and the Junior, I would definitely pick the Junior over the two. However, if the SFX is in your price range, I would
STRONGLY recommend buying the SWR California Blonde. The SWR is a fabulous amp, with all sorts of inputs, outputs, switchable speakers, lots of control over your sound, and a lot more power than the SFX.
The Acoustasonic JR. is more powerful than the SFX - volume wise. The SFX's specs don't tell the whole story. A lot of it's power goes to power the SFX speaker. Also, the SFX uses some low-quality inefficient drivers. My biggest gripe about the SFX is it's hernia-inducing size and weight. It's just not very manageable! My biggest gripe about the Junior is that the preamp gain is fixed. Forget using anything but a piezo pickup with the JR, unless you like to clip the preamp. The SFX has controllable preamp, but still clips at ridiculously low levels.
The SWR in comparison has a much better pre amp, power amp, and speakers designed to handle whatever you throw at it. It even sounds great using a Jazz-box through it. There is a good amount of hiss from the preamp, but it's only noticable when you're playing the amp at low volume levels.
Finally, after having owned several acoustic amps, my last word on the issue is
www.daedalusmusic.com . I've never played a better acoustic amp system, period. Think about it... you've invested a TON of money into high-end acoustic guitars, and then you plug into a $400-$600 consumer amplification system and expect professional results? I came to that realization one day, and sold off one of my "boutique" electric guitar amps, and bought the Daedalus S-81 system with the Hafler power amp, rane preamp, and separate hardwood cabinet.:
Not only is this system WORLDS more powerful and a lot more portable, but it truly does your high-end guitars justice. The sound that comes out of the Daedalus system is pure and uncolored - a true rich amplified version of your acoustic guitar. I recently bought a second S-81 cabinet, and the sound is like sticking your head inside your acoustic guitar. Nothing compares, period. I know those are strong words, but it really
IS that much better. Anyone in the Dallas area interested in finding out for themselves, this is an open invitation to come to my house and try it for yourself. (I can even setup the Acoustasonic Jr so you can A/B test.)
Regards,
J.R. Rogers