I am specifically referring to the lower and mid bass being being excessive and bleeding into the midrange.
This can sound enticing on certain genres and recordings.
I like the way these headphones sound otherwise. And I dial the bass slider down to compensate.
Others here have heard my opinions on this so I am being sensitive to other perspectives because we all hear and perceive differently.
And yes. I have a huge headphone collection and compare extensively. And the same for a History of audiophile stereo and speaker systems.
If you love them, wonderful. Listen as is and enjoy.
As already stated, I think we can all say that we experience and hear things differently. That’s the beauty of this world. Some might find let’s say the bathys sounding worse than the PX8 and others won’t.
While many often refer to target curves like the Harman curve as a benchmark for headphone performance, it’s crucial to question this approach
1. Subjectivity of Preference: What sounds “correct” to one listener may not be ideal for another. The Harman curve, for instance, has been criticized by some as sounding “soulless and boring”.
2. Diversity of Listener Preferences: Research has shown that listeners can be broadly categorized into groups with different preferences, such as those who prefer the Harman curve, those who like more bass, and those who prefer less bass.
3. Oversimplification: Reducing headphone evaluations to simple scores based on how well they match a particular curve oversimplifies the complex nature of audio perception.
4. Ignoring Other Factors: Focusing solely on frequency response ignores other crucial aspects of audio quality, such as distortion and spatial effects.
It’s important to remember that popularity doesn’t necessarily equate to correctness or quality in audio. The fact that many people gravitate towards a particular sound signature doesn’t inherently make it superior. As someone pointed out, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to sound
Ultimately, target curves and audio standards are created by people with their own biases and preferences. The Harman curve, for example, is the result of research conducted by a team of individuals. While their work is valuable and scientifically grounded, it’s not infallible or universally applicable.
In conclusion, to me, what I find crucial to consider is personal preference, diverse listening experiences, and the limitations of standardized curves. The“correct” sound should always be balanced with an appreciation for the subjective nature of audio enjoyment.