jwdav

There absolutely are references for how a speaker should perform and those references are used to design and calibrate speakers. By definition, a speaker that performs at or close to the ideal reference points will sound as a good speaker should.

Perception of what sounds good to an individual can be coloured by the speakers they regularly listen to.

This is similar to the first time someone views a properly ISF calibrated display panel after watching LCD TV's in "torch mode" for years - a properly calibrated display will leave them looking to crank up the brightness and the contrast.