Originally Posted by KevinF
As mentioned by bluehair -- a compact specific front derailleur is a lot easier to setup then a "standard" front derailleur. Standard front derailleurs can be made to work with compact cranks, but the margin for error is pretty slim.
Maybe for some compacts (even though many still use standard FDs), but Shimano themselves promote the R700 as not requiring a "compact specific" FD. The setup and adjustment process is no different.