I'm in the market for a new saddle (since the one that came with my bike is just atrocious), and I'm wondering what type of expectations in terms of comfort are realistic.

So, for example, I've been riding a KHS urban express to/from work for the last few years (and just in general around town stuff) and have never had any noticeable soreness or pain. Maybe after several hours on the bike, but otherwise nothing noticeable, and even then it's extremely mild. No idea what saddle it has, some padded something or other that KHS makes.

The saddle that came with my new bike, though, is at the other end of the spectrum. I cannot help but notice my sit-bones when I'm riding with it, and there doesn't seem to be any particular spot that I find comfortable.

Currently I'm demo'ing a Fizik Antares VS and while it's much better than the saddle that came with my bike I still am conscious of the fact that I'm sitting on something that's pretty stiff (like if you sit on a wood bench for too long). I don't have any soreness or anything after riding (went out for a few hours today just wandering around town) though. I have found that there seems to be a sweet spot on the saddle where it's verging on what I would define as comfortable, but then I'll move a little bit and I'll lose it.

So, the question I basically have is what is a realistic expectation for a bike saddle? Is it one of these things that one day you just find the perfect one (which I would define as not really noticing you're sitting on a small piece of stiff leather / fiber whatever) or can you always expect to be less comfortable than if you're sitting in your favorite recliner?