Cameron, since you've had your tone controls "hot" since you were a little kid, I believe you have sensitized yourself to that quality of sound. You may want to try flattening them for say a month of listening to see how you like the difference. I would recommend this particularly with the bass as you may be missing "textures" with your bass turned up so high. Most drivers don't do as good a job with fine details when the bass is run hot.

House of the Rising Sone
Out in the mid or far field
Dedicated mid-woofers are over-rated