I agree with you about the mid bass hump and slightly grainy uper mid but imo I wouldn't say this set has a artificial sound. Perhaps your set may suffer from driver flex (or maybe it's just simply because our ears are different). Very honest review.

I don't think you were listening to the IT00. Grainy, not to my ears and sizzle splashy and spiky treble, not at all. Imaging is also very good and very good soundstage. I can't agree with your assessment at all. Artificial, no, not in the least.