Should a reference speaker be neutral, or just great sounding?

"neutral" is one of those fraught terms in audio--people are always slamming other over the head with it, claiming that this or that product sounds more "neutral."  "Neutral" does nothing because it's essentially meaningless, too open to interpretation.

Early on in my audio journey I decided the only meaningful comparison to audio gear (besides other audio gear/by contrast) was real live music, electric or acoustic, played in a known space. Audio gear that sounds "musical" (ie, like real music) wins out with me. Is this subjective? Hell, yes. But is it meaningful? Yes.

And "reference" to me connotes audio gear that takes audio reproduction even higher, with better qualities recognized & sought in audio (ie, dynamics, bass, detail/resolution, etc). I have some inexpensive, not-very-refined gear that makes music all day long, but is clearly outclassed by bigger/better gear that also makes music, albeit on a higher plane of attainment. 

djones5108-09-2020 8:51pmWasn’t it Harman that did a lot of speaker tests where the speakers with the flattest response were picked as the best sounding? No matter if it was professional listeners or Joe off the street.

Yes. They can predict with 86% confidence that people will pick the flattest speakers as the best sounding. And if you take bass out of the equation, that goes up to 99%.

Paper: A SCIENTIFIC BASIS FOR CHOOSING LOUDSPEAKERS AND HEADPHONES FOR RECORDING AND BROADCAST (page 2)

I've heard many monitor speakers in studios and do not think they would sound good for long term listening in my music room.  
@michaelgreenaudio   I intend to purchase Von Schweikert VR9SE II which have maximum adjustability using highest quality components to alter the sound of each driver to match the room modes, despite having a great engineered room.  My current speakers adjust bass alignment and mids/highs downward only.  Flat is the best for that speaker in my room.  The rear tweeter adjustment is probably the most important for me to control the ambiance level from the rear of a box speaker.   Previously, from 20 to 35 years ago, I had non-adjustable electrostats.  Didn't work out well in my lesser listening environments.  

My Reference is whatever I can afford. In my case it was a pair of Martin Logan Spire speaker’s. I’m happy with my choice. I wish you such happiness in yours.