while i dont think that processors play a very large roll as far as how the end result sounds, they are not all the same, even with the same specs. some of this is to do with manf. having different standards, measuring techniques, etc. there are many ways to reproduce sound, each adding a little to the sound or taking away a bit, thus the end sound can be slightly different.

you can have two different speakers with exactly the same "electrical" specs and they can sound absolutely different. the same theory is applicable to processors, though the differences are much much less.

go for the better value in your processor and spend more on speakers or if you prefer alcohol (which coincidentally makes everythind sound different).