I would guess the nay-sayers probably used them wrong, just as I did when I put the Black Widow on. I hope you read the Michael Fremer review, I think that was enough for me. You're right though, it is completely subjective. I like the Green Dream better than the Black Widow, Moon prefers the Black over the Green. They are resonant changing devices, that would be too much damping. If I understood what I read, they channel the resonance into other vibrations that are pleasing to hear.
I think if they are used properly they provide a non-deteriorating color and temperature, as well a clear the space between instruments perceived as a change or improvement of the sound-stage.
I'm curious about the dots though, are you considering them? I chose the SR HRT's, as I mentioned, and they improved my listening room three fold. They too, are resonant changing devices, not dampers. I went the damping route, not satisfactory for me.