It would be interesting to compare recording engineer's monitors with mastering studio's monitors.
Stan,
You make an excellent point. I know of only one speaker manufacturer that is popular and has consistent products BOTH in recording AND in mastering BOTH as near-field as well as far-field main monitors: ATC. They are not "bright" in the treble sense but they are certainly more forward in the midrange than what most consumers seem comfortable with (as you correctly point out - not comfortable enough for broadcast work). Definitely a tool to hear every microphone placement issue and mixing level details in the recording but still enjoyable enough for compression and final EQ touches in mastering to create a product that translates well to target market.
Until ATC came along, speakers typically used to sound completely different from the small monitors to the big bad main monitors used to impress clients and run bass checks - EVEN if they were from the same manufacturer!!!