The JM Lab Utopias are tough to judge. They can sound very different with different amps and rooms. I have heard the Divas sound really warm and relaxed but then in another system they were lean and forward. I am sure the Altos can do that too.
Also, I wouldn't expect a dealer to have speakers setup optimally. All the fancy dealers I have visited never seem to have things quite right IMO. It takes them too much time and effort to do that and besides, they only have a limited number of rooms to feature all types of speakers.
Only after using Altos in your system with different amps will you have any idea what they are like. You shouldn't be hasty in your judgement. That goes for any equipment. And I sure wouldn't bet my $10,000 on another person's single audition! That seems ridiculous.
With any great speaker, it will take some work to get the most of them. Don't forget you are paying all that money for transparency and resolution. Along with that comes good and bad, as always. Good luck.
Arthur