Even the gsmarena review shows the N900 is a little weak on the high end- just as I posted before in my "review" last Thursday.

The N900 needs a hardware based EQ (that uses the freq function within the chipset) to make up for this. Then again, if you have nothing else to compare it to or use lower quality buds, you will probably not notice.

I pick up less definition of cymbal sound decay in certain songs just as an example. I hear this fine with my G1, Gmini 402 and Zen 32gb, but miss it on the N900.

The statement about not needing a hardware EQ is correct IF the sound signature is natural and not missing something in frequency. The N900 is missing some high end frequency definition.

added:

Example: All of my devices sound about the same using the stock N900 buds and the ones that came with my Zen- the sound is constrained due to the source for listening. I notice the difference when using my UE's and Vmoda Vibes (metal version).