I agree, without EQ the bass is way overcooked. I also couldn't listen to them without EQ unless the material was really balanced, not overly loud and with the bass almost deemphasized. I am torn about keeping these. Now that I have an EQ setting that works, I really love them, but damn I hate spending this much and needing to use an EQ. Principle mostly. Still, really do love the sound, ease of use and comfort. If the PX were this comfortable I would have been in heaven as I loved that sound signature. Still, the 1000xM3 is a very nice headphone once you dial the bass down. But yes, to say the bass in stock is anywhere near acceptable, is just not something I could personally say. Different strokes for different folks as they say. And I do like Sony, I owned and loved the Z1R, owned and liked the Z7 and also really enjoyed the MDR1A.