>I own the HD800S and if it wasn’t for the scientifically derived EQ filters some community members have developed, I would be entirely unable to listen to them

>I own the HD800S and if it wasn’t for the scientifically derived EQ filters some community members have developed, I would be entirely unable to listen to them for the reasons exactly as you describe. But once the EQ is applied fixing their FR curve to the Harman target curve, suddenly the sound signature dramatically changes from unlistenably painful (for metal music, for example) to perfectly balanced sound. That's why I prefer flat, little coloured gear (IEMs in my case) and do minute adjustments in EQ if I really must. I've got enough of a wide range of styles I listen to in any given time frame that I would get more bad than good from gear with a strong signature. I've been happy with my Etymotic ER4.