Not sure what went wrong with the pair OP has, or where the incompatibility lies. I'm listening to my pair right now and they are simply very good headphones.

Bass is very it should be for my taste and is not boomy - that would show with the dub techno playing at the moment. Soundstage is not particularly wide, sure, but instrument placement is quite precise. I recently even listened to a full symphony with them, and that is normally where I switch to the HD800. Not the same experience, but very enjoyable nonetheless.