Best headphones?

I have been very happy with my Sony MDR-V6's. They are the compact ones with aluminum speaker enclosures (not plastic). Consumer electronics stores usually do not carry them, but you can get them from Guitar Center (about $100). I have had mine for 9 years. Very neutral and detailed. They are also fairly compact, and comfortable to wear. I have noticed many recording studio photo's where engineers are using these.

John_l: I'd be interested in hearing how you think they compare with the 600's. You sould try them sometime...

I have definitely heard better than the Sony's. One of my co-workers had the old stax electro-static-on-your-ear headphones with the dedicated amp. Those were the best sounding I have heard (at $2000 in 1993 they should be!) I once heard some of the sennheiser midrange ($125ish) and I thought they were very detailed and airy sounding. I like the Sony's better because of their relatively small size. Has anybody out there heard the sony nc-20 noise cancelling models ? ( the msrp 200 one )

Right on with the comments John on the Sony MDR-V6. I have a pair and Like them alot. I compared with my brothers Sony 705s with the blue label on earpiece (not sure of the model #?) and the V-6s were a lot smoother on the high end (705s sounded less clear and artificial on the high end)I'm sure theres better out there but these sony's are great! Joe Lienhard

I've heard no other speaker or headphone that is as accurate as the current Stax Omega 2-007. If listening to classical or any accoustical instruments, voices on vinyl this is the way to go. I've heard most stax phones fed by Clearaudio/Ref Gold, and this version is in a different league. That is, if money is not a question, at $5K for headphone plus a used SRM-1T