Im sure you know plenty more than me but Ill just give my experience buying a pair of boots last season. I tried on a bunch and did some research and sorta narrowed it to spks or rampages, basically whichever fit better, if at all. I have a narrow-medium foot, so was pretty sure I was gonna go with the rampages. I tried some salomon teneighties before (the clear green ones), which hurt my foot and were loose, but i figured id try the spks because a shop guy told me that salomon had recently totally reworked the last/liner/fit in general for that boot. I went to a proper boot fitter at some austrian ski shop here so that I would be sure I got the right size and proper comments. he asked me what boots i was looking at and agreed that they would both probably be a good option. after trying them both, i found they were both very similar feeling on my foot, though the rampages were heavier. i dont know if i made the right decision, but i went with the rampages even though they were heavier because i liked the adjustability and fact that not quite as many ppl seem to have them (still real popular though). honestly though, in the shop, they both felt very similar fitting. do get some pressure/bang if I wear them lots or land bad, so i wouldn't mind getting the wrap around liners for them (basically the same that you would get with FTs). i know this isnt a direct comparison, but dalbello and FT both base their designs off the old Raichles. I dont know how similar they fit, but ive heard they are quite close. again, only what ive heard, but i think those are a relatively soft flexing boot (?).
when it comes down to it, you honestly have to try them on no matter how much research you do. if you cant get the FTs near you, you'll either have to take a trip or find something else. if the spks fit and feel good and you can get them, then there isnt a whole lot of reason to try and get the FTs, though I agree, they look/sound pretty rad. I wish I'd considered them more when I was in the market, but Im still pretty happy. not a ton of professional or objective info here, but I hope it helps.