when I first get these I think the bass be horribly bloated . there be no mid , and the treble be very muffle . after read a suggestion on a certain Headphone forum , I pull the foam insert out of the earpad . they come out very easily , just pinch the middle of the flat cushion part , and the little round foam insert should come out . anyway , this make a huge difference . the difference be night and day . they be arguably my favorite can now . the bass thin out , the mid come alive , and the treble become brighter , but not harsh . I have 6 different pair of headphone , most of they mid\/high end , and I keep come back to these for they fun factor . everything just sound good on they . my only complaint be a obvious one , the headband ! sometimes it be too loose , other time i feel like my ear be go to bleed . also , the bass output change depend how they be orient . if the headband slip down the back of my head , the bass get thinner , if they be center on my head it be just about right , slightly augmented , which be how I like it . overall they be a very good buy . the only other can that have similar bass be my sennheiser hd212pro 's , but they do not have the saucy mid and crisp clean high that the AKG 's do . the senn sound somewhat veil in comparison . also fwiw , I even use these with a headphone amp when walk every night , sweating all over they . I wipe they with a damp cloth before put they away , and I have not have a single problem . the leather ear cushion still look like new . I can not wait to try some of the higher end akg model .