Yes. "Tinny" is the word I would use for their sound.
Part of it, for me, is that no matter which of the supplied ear canal adapters (buds?) I tried, I cannot get a good seal into my ear canals.
If I press them inwards, moving them around to try to get the best seal and "aim", I can get some bass, but they still seem equalized in a very bizarre way. Not natural or flat for me.
I did try a pair of fairly decent over the head headphones, and the N8's amp just doesn't have enough power to drive them to a reasonable listening level. They're not that inefficient, but not what the phone was designed to drive, obviously.
I'll have to try a set of old Shure earbuds I've got rolling around someplace. They might be the answer for me. They fit my ears well, make a good seal, and sound nice and flat to my ears.