I don't think you can really understand C++ by reading the standard to be honest. If you're such an expert you can read the standard in its original form, you're probably already a seasoned developer anyway.
Once you're actually trying to implement the system though, suddenly all of that language becomes really helpful.
CLARIFICATION: I suppose that might have been your point--that not much hindering of understanding is going on among the broad C++ community due to standards (un-)availability.
I'm realizing now that the original question was more about those developers doing work on C++ compilers and such than the broad community. Even so, I guess every heavy contributor and project like GCC, LLVM... have bought their own copy of the standard.