Oh yeah - been on both sides of that struggle too many times: Fun, dynamic and lively sound, BUT too aggressive and fatiguing, or leaving the midrange AWOL (a dry midrange is a non-starter for me, which is probably why I've gravitated to VAC electronics and Japanese cartridges over time). OR: smooth warm and lush romantic sound, seems perfect at first, but then I want some more sparkle up top and get bored.
The "baseline" ideal balance in my head can sway from day to day, or even drift over time.
Eventually I’ve gotten my speakers & power amp combo "centered" where I want them for each room. That’s really the important anchor to a system IMO. It dictates the level of dynamics and scale a system can render. The amp in particular is a huge piece to me (I listen loud). Past that, I’m such an analog junkie I can (and do) roll cartridges, tubes and even phono stages all day to drift around that "center" as the mood strikes me.