It only comes on when it's needed, but it is larger in quantity than it's high end peers.
This is how it should be stated. IE800 bass is not that much, nor bloated, nor uncalled for. IT is there, makes itself felt, but never too much, only when the song calls for it.
Because I became obsessed with perfect transients, Fiio X5II provides the tightest, most controlled bass, while adding Fiio E12A makes the bass more natural, and real-life-like.
The entire sound will scale immensely with source.
BTW, I just tested Ie800 with Fiio X7. My reaction was something like [
]. Amazing sound overall, even a step further than X5II, I loved it.