That is absolutely correct. The most important thing that makes a speaker listenable is a flat smooth mid band response on and off axis. If ti does not have that it is just a lousy speaker, period.
The problem and limitation of bookshelves is lack of power band response above sub range out to the full room half room transition. So unless they have a very expensive small driver with a very robust motor system then they have that tendency to sound thin, especially on the lower stings, especially cellos. The lower voices and lower brass also suffers particularly. On the other hand towers are often made cheaply with their cabinets not properly braced. Then coloration in this range becomes a problem. It is just a fact that making any speaker down to a price will leave you with a problem or two one way or another. Then it becomes a matter of how you prefer your poison. That is why different speakers proliferate, and continue to do so. Picking a speakers off the Internet therefore is high risk, as we all tolerate these poisons to a different degree.
I know you can order and return, but what a pain that is, particularly if you have to do it multiple times. If you think this is another plug to advocate designing and building your own, you are correct!
