I'm not really in agreement with this - we are not clones but we are all very similar and IME what I think is a 'good sound' is what anyone will think is a 'good sound'. We don't like to hear distortion, lack of decay, wobbly pitch and all the attributes of poor sound.
Of course, but there is a big difference between the gross faults you describe and the systems we all listen to.

I don't think I have ever heard a system that I liked only to have another listner say 'no, it sounds awful.' And the converse is true, unless it is the owner of the system who may be a little bit biased - as he paid for it - or delusional, of course
Every HiFi show I have gone to has been full of exactly such systems, you only have to read the reports from something like the Pie show to see exactly what you suggest doesnt happen happening.