At a point in time not all that long ago, various items...amps, pre's, and various 'outboard' items like eq's all began to 'measure' relatively the same in the 'heard' or sonically perceived range of human hearing.
Beyond that range, one could argue that 'felt' or physical stimulation of ones' presence in a sound field could be added to that perception of 'being There...subsonics for the gut grab, supersonics for 'air', the 'larger' quality of a larger space than actually exists for the listener.
This mix, delivered by equipment designed in various combinations by various groups/companies in wildly varying combinations in even more variable spaces.
MHO?
All that's left is our personal psychoacoustical response to whatever we've amassed in our sound caves...
The only measurement left is the rulers in your head.
Now, not that I'm against anyone anywhere at any time spending whatever they find apropos to scratch their particular itch. Far from that...
Overall, the lucre spent on that pursuit generally 'improves the breeds' for the masses to enjoy in the long run. But, as pointed out frequently, try to enjoy the music even when deep into 'critical listening' of the perceived shortfalls, huh...?
Y'all are a riot, sometimes...;)