Bill, thanks for the advice. I can see how individualistic buying headphones can be.

I returned the Pioneer HD1500's ($180) as they colored the sound too much. I then spent hours at GC and Sam Ash trying out headphones.

Your advice "use your ears" might sound simplistic, but that's what it's all about in the end. I sat and listened very carefully and compared each set. The Sennheiser, the Shure's, Denon's, etc. I listened to the ones the salesmen recommended, people here recommended, friends recommended. At this point, I can now hear the subtle nuances each pair of phones has. None are either bad or good, it's how I hear them is the dealbreaker.

And, yes, like everything, when you have the right phones in your hand...you just "know!"

BTW...I see what you mean about "make sure they sit comfortably on the head." I liked the Audio Technica ATH-M50, but after trying on the Sennheisers, with a smaller, lighter "cup" I can see how the larger cup would bother me after time.

Mark