It all hinges on a good seal and insertion depth. I personally find the timeless to be too bright, esp. in the upper treble. However, using moondrop spring tips with them reduces their harshness and gives them a more natural sound. Even still, I can't go without EQ on them when listening to music. With EQ, they are fantastic (albeit with a narrow soundstage). Without it, they are very spicy and unpleasant.