Modern stats (Logans) are not as bad as you think, now the Sanders stats have a much narrower sweet spot for sure !
I've heard some and have experienced the effect...
The Logans I heard were spaced SUPER-WIDE and not indicative of a normal room... talking near on to 18' apart...
They didn't sound bad, but I find it hard to judge them by the setup I was exposed to as it was a shallow room, very wide, but not very deep.
Other E-stats... *shrugs
This is truly a YMMV situation.
Certainly they can sound great, but not for everybody.