Oh! Two good replies in a row - the spice analogy is a good one. I've never felt that as much until now when using both Wiard filters - it's like thyme and oregano. Both delicious, delicate, excellent when combined with other choice ingredients.
Other modules add dramatic elements, and are more exciting because of the initial impression. Filters have character, oscillators do too in a similar way. It's like how guitar players obsess about different guitars and amps, drummers get attached to certain cymbals and no others will ever sound right, recording geeks swear by a specific overpriced preamp or whether the E or G series SSL EQ section sounds "more musical". When something you use resonates with your style it seems like the most important thing ever. Its subtle. It's different for everybody.
Wiard modules are special and they sound and act like they are special. I wouldn't trade mine for any other and am happy to patiently wait to see what the next amazing one will be, filter or not.
But for the sake of argument if I was going to really boil it down to one factor that differentiates filters (aside from what kind they are - eh!) I think it'd be resonance. Some sing and some sweeten. Different applications and genres of music call for different breeds of filter. I guess it's similar to how we all, synth nuts and not, obsess about the kinds of music we love. Like Gregg said: Fashion! And there's nothing wrong with wanting to be comfortable in your trousers (or lack thereof).
it's just fashion i guess!
i have four filters in my modular (moogerfooger mf-101 low pass, wiard
boogie, blacet filthy and CGS/Steiner Synthacon) and i will soon order
the wiard borg 2 as well, for a total of 5.
like you say grant, they all sound different and are all good. don't
worry about other people obsessing, just continue to make innovative
and high qulaity modules!
best wishes,
gregg