Don't get me wrong, I like bass but I do like good quality of the whole frequency range. I do think for the price the XB series delivers much more than only good bass, but both need some EQing for best results. For me XB500 turns from a $50 headphone to $200 only by adjusting EQ for better balance, slightly less upper bass and more mids and treble. It's kind of like taking off the "shroud" of filtered sound what is there unEQ'd which I think Sony has done on purpose as they probably have thought about expanding this series in future if it will become a success anyway and I hope this XB1000 is that headphone that is better balanced regarding highs and mids and bass, ultimately I'd want to see an "in-between" XB500 & XB700 and hopefully this is that one that would have slightly less upper bass emphasize than XB500 (as it eats up on mids) but not quite the deep rumbling bass focus as XB700 either and have just as much forward/up-front mids on XB500 and highs that would be in-between XB700 and XB500 in terms of brightness.
I'm perfectly happy with this XB500 once EQ'd but would be nice if there was a headphone that wouldn't need to be EQ'd at all I suppose, not like I ever think that would ever happen to me though as I'm a perfectionist when it comes to tweaking settings on a monitor/TV/EQing headphone etc.