I kinda know what you mean. I went to Guitar Center to try out all their pro monitors and ALL of them were brighter than a halogen lamp in a dark room. I mean BRIGHT enough to kill insects within earshot!! All of them were bright except the Mackie's. I did like the BX8's but those still a tad too bright for my tastes. I wasn't being cheap either. My budget was $3,000.00 just for the speakers.
After talking to a friend who is an acoustical engineer (and confirming that they are indeed flat) I decided to buy a pair. I got them used, but new, for $400.00.
No complaints ever since.