I think on the beaming bit, you may be onto something there. I think the reason that some 'super accurate' speakers can drive some of us out of the room is NOT because the cones are not accurate...its because the balance has been set differently. One of the most impressive things (for me) is NOT always detail...but BALANCE. I know that some speakers may not be the last word in detail, but their presentation across the spectrum is SO balanced/so coherent/consistent, that is when I start to listen to music and STOP listening to noises.
The reason I think some super-detailed equipment makes one focus on details rather than music is because for some reason the balance of the presentation is off and as a result, you hear breaks in the presentation which draw you to hear individual parts, rather than the whole...at least that is the way I think about it.
But when someone delivers a super-low distortion piece which is exceptionally well balanced/coherent, well that's the money right there. That balance bit is more art and more personal than science...so I suspect it is different for many of us. But I definitely feel that lower distortion is a great thing, all else being equal. And then it allows each of us to go find the balance we prefer, but enjoying the clear benefit of lower distortion.
For me, the recent DCS Vivaldi, Wilson XLF/Alexia, Rockport Arrakis and Altair, CJ GAT, Gryphon Mephisto/Colosseum are examples of components which have that low distortion, but which also present a coherent balance that makes (me) forget about this bit or that bit...and enjoy the music.
