Should the best systems sound almost identical?

"By the same logic then all high performance cars should drive the same."

Not really. There are high performance muscle cars, touring cars, sports cars, etc. All high performance in different ways. Me, I'd like a Ferrari but the next guy might like a new V8 Camaro.

Not likely we'll ever agree on what is "best" if for no other reason than our outer ears are shaped differently. Ever cup your hands behind your ears while listening and hear the dramatic difference? Or lean your head back against a reflective leather high-backed chair and hear the midrange become more pronounced?

Me? I'd rather rip around in a 300HP AWD Subaru WRX than a 300HP Camaro. Uh oh. What's best? American or Japanese or UK hifi?

There is no standard for a sports car that manufactures are trying to reach. The reality is that audio manufactures are "stuck" building to personal taste on some level because approaching a perfect reproduction seems to be impossible. In audio there's loss at every step in the audio process, but the ideal state would be that you couldn't tell the difference between a live accoustic sound and the reproduction coming from your speakers.

Mapman - I had one listening experience with the Focal Grande Utopia's when I was purchasing my 836v's where my friend and I both agreed that when making the switch from the 836v speakers to the Grande's we preferred the 836v. We both thought that the 836v made us forget about the speakers themselves. Then we realized that we were at the wrong listening location for the Grande's. Amazing difference when we moved back abouta foot.

My take away was that the 836v was a pretty great value if there was any scenario where I could concieve of preferring it over the Grande.

I suspect no one, not even audio designers have any idea how individual recordings are mixed and sound. Even 'live' room acoustics will vary depending on the venue and your seating position in that venue.

So there isn't a definable target by which to measure. I think designers try to voice their products with an assortment of recordings and each use different ones.

Similarly, the ancillary equipment designers use will vary - I doubt all speaker manufacturers use the same electronics and cables when voicing their designs.

So what you get in the end it each designers best compromise or preference, regardless of price.

Not to mention hearing differences we all have, as others have suggested.

So, you spend big bucks, you take your chances just like everyone else.

It's also fair to realize that 'statement' products carry profit margins that are obscene. Focals $180,000 speakers likely ship from the factory for 1/4 the retail price, and the factory makes a killer margin on them as well.

Exotic wood and premium craftsmanship does not come cheap, nor does it impact the sound. You can buy the same drivers/internal parts for $6k in the Utopia micro, minus a bigger box and a few extra drivers.

Not that the last few statements are relevant to the question, but I couldn't help adding that bit!