Thank you for your response. Your candor belies your age (in a good way). I shall address your points individually. Of course people are different, that goes without saying. I assume music is supposed to sound like the artist intended. Live performances may well have acoustic "problems" (most do) but the balance of bass, midrange and treble is there nonetheless. I've been to a good many concerts in my day and NONE had overpronounced bass that you hear miles away. I like to feel a kickdrum in my chest, don't get me wrong. It seems to be a "fad" nowadays to over emphasize the bass to extremes. That's NOT how the artist intended it. You are absolutely correct in your assumption that I'm interested in SQ, I have been for a LONG time. I'm finally able to afford both quality and quantity. I waited a long time to be able to do so. My car stereo was always a bit ahead of my home stereo (but not by much). Now they're both acceptable. They can both cause hearing damage (they have, I have tinnitus) if abused. Protect your hearing young man, it sucks to have tinnitus, trust me on that one too. I'm almost 50 and still love my music loud and clear, but the incessant ringing pretty much sucks. Take it or leave it.