I know how to read a chord symbol, so I know how to play every chord (well, every chord that's "playable.")
So there's really nothing all that difficult about the chords you mention...F#m7b5/A is simply any F# half diminished voicing on the neck with an A in the bass (might be better to call an Am6?)
Em(add4)/F# sounds complicated, but if you know what a "4" is, that chord is simply any Em with an added A note and an F# in the bass.
So in my opinion, yes, trying to learn a million and one "shapes" for chords is definitely a slow process, but it can be greatly quickened by learning the fretboard and learning what a chord symbol means...it's a group of notes, not a specific "shape."
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