DrThomasCognitive Dissonance. You aren't used to hearing bass that actually sounds real, instead of a vague thumpy noise like someone tapping a countertop! Also remember these are a totally "open aire" design, which make less apparent bass than closed-back designs to begin with. They will also "open up" quite a bit as the diaphragms loosen over time (break in). Ditto the Energiser amp also sounds better over time. These headphones are reference quality neutral, I myself have heard NONE better in this regard. Not Stax SR-009's, Lambda or Sigma Pro, not Abyss 1266's or HiFiMan V1000's. Bass is exceedingly flat, and the low notes are THERE when they are REAL. Listen to these babys for a few weeks & you'll gradually realise that pretty much everything you've heard before is WRONG!