Hi Sonos,
I have 2 Fives, a move, and an ARC with Sub.
For now I'm just referring to the Fives and the Move.
I understand you don't think an EQ is necessary (otherwise you'd include one).
But the mids in the Five and Move are harsh, muddy and have an overall "fakeness" to their sound, this makes listening to these speakers uncomfortable. My ears become quickly fatigued.
Now you may think you have done some kind of software magic to get the best/perfect sound, but you've ended up with artificial and muddy sound.
My cheap Sony amp paired with warfdales has better depth an clarity, and sound far more natural.
Actually even my cheap Logitech pc speakers with mini sub are out performing your speakers when it comes to clarity.
My hope is that the issue is speaker configuration ( the speakers you choose to use in the units) or DSP and not an issue with digital amps, and that an eq that allows for fine tuning of the mids can save us here…
The alternative is that I give up on your brand.
At this stage I'm quite disappointed, I thought from all the buzz I was buying premium speakers, especially at these prices.