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!
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!
