The biggest difference between typical point source PA speakers and typical column speakers is that point sources usually have narower horizontal dispersion and wider vertical dispersion than column speakers.

Yes I understand that column systems have wider dispersion but I'm trying to understand how they sound different from a frequency point of view. Looking for flat frequency coverage overall. Are column systems always hyped/tweaked in uppers, mids and lows or can you get a column system with relatively flat frequency response for more of a monitor sort of sound?

Some are pretty flat. I haven't noticed much difference in frequency response of column speakers in comparison to point source speakers. Some column speakers produce significant throw at high frequencies where they act as a proper line array (cylindrical wavefront) but at (low-)mids they behave as a point source and in combination with very small drivers, this can result in a lack of punch at a distance.
OTOH I'd dare to say that most cheaper column speakers (with the exception of the models designed specifically for speech reinforcement) tend to sound a bit more HiFi with less resonances than similarly priced point source speakers.

Every system needs some EQ to get the optimal sound in a room.