Brake efficiency in 96 Lumina

I am not all that happy about the way the brakes respond in my 1996 Lumina car. I recently replaced the front pads. Still the brakes are not as crisp as my Honda Civic. They say it is because I have ABS in this car, but I don't want to buy that argument. Someone suggested a brake booster o/haul. How do you test a booster for proper operation? Any ideas friends?
thanks