Stax SR-Sigma electrostatic phones I bought long ago. These are the ones that angle the panels from the front rather than directly towards the ears, it sounds more like the real thing. If I seriously want to hear what is on a recording, I go to these. They make a fair bit of sound in the room and don't block much, but are fine in the living room for when our daughter has gone to bed. They make wonderful music.
Also I most often use Sennheiser HD-545 up in my studio, again for working on music after bedtime. Same problem of leakage, but they are reasonably well balanced and clear. I did not want to spring for the 580's.
I had the pleasure of visiting the headroom display when it traveled across the country (www.headphone.com). I wish I had spent a bit more and gotten the Beyer DT-250-80s. Great sound and they are sealed so better isolation. Best sealed phone I heard there.
Had the additional pleasure of hearing the Sennheiser tube headphone amp running thru HD-600s. Incredible. But it had better be for $12K. A friend of mine is working on a tube headphone amp design now. He says of the others out there - "They are OK but there are some things I think I can do better." Since he's designed a single space midi controlled tube guitar preamp, years ago in fact, and other cool gizmos, I believe him. But, who knows when it will be done?
