You need to turn down the volume if you're melting the cord!

I like my Skullcandy Lowriders.

http://www.skullcandy.com/shop/lowrider-p-26.html

@jd, those are pretty freakin' sweet! i'm gonna have to get a pair.

Agreed, those are sweet, hella cheap too. How's the bass response? And do they block out outside noise ok?

Well, my roommate could tell you about trying to knock on my door and not getting any response from me. :) Bass is pretty nice through them.

http://www.nextag.com/sony-mdr-w08/search-html

My absolute favorite. Good fit, comfortable and good sound. $10!

damn! those skullcandy headphones are SWEET! i think i'm gonna have to get some!

I have a pair of skullcandy lowriders, and full metal jakets. they are great. stay away from the ink'd series, however. they are skullcandys bottom of the barrel headphones, and they kind of show.

yeah if I get those I'll get their high-end pair. My last headphones were Bose around-ear headphones, I wanna stick with something quality.

thought about the Monster Dr. Dre's?

they look lovely, but I don't know if I wanna lay out quite that much. And I don't think I really need noise-canceling, as long as it does a decent job of blocking out sound. (Hence my choosing the Bose around-ear instead of the Quietcomforts last time around).

yeah, i know... they're a lot...

these are supposed to be good: http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=sony+around+ear+headphones&oe=UTF-8&cid=4258075414650167313#ps-sellers

@ScrabbledEggs - The MDR's are supposed to be very good.

If I had all kinds of money laying around to be spent, I'd get some good Sennheisers: http://www.sennheiserusa.com/newsite/productdetail.asp?transid=502717

i looooooove sennheisers.

I really liked the entry-level Grados I had. They got really warm in the summer though, and they are uncomfortable for some. But I liked them.

http://www.amazon.com/Grado-60-SR60/dp/B0006DPMU4

This is easy.

http://www.headphone.com/guide/

I have nearly a dozen headphones. For mixing, I use my Sennheiser HD580s, but they absolutely require a good headphone amp (and also $$$). I used to used Sony Studios, but they generate massive ear fatigue in less than an hour, so I only use them for short recording sessions. With my iPod I prefer either my Etymotic ER-4, Sennheiser HD570, or Koss PortaPros, depending on the application.

For inexpensive over-the-ear headphones, I'd recommend the Sennheiser PX 100. They are only about $30 on Amazon. For about twice that, you can step up to the AKG K414P. Bose is shit. As are any noise canceling. And all earbuds. I really love my Etymotics, as then seal out EVERY external sound - great for planes, or really just about anywhere where you don't need to hear what's going on around you. But they can be a little uncomfortable for some people. Probably my next headphones will be a set of Ultimate Ears UE-xx Pros, which I'll have custom fit to my ears and use as onstage monitors. But I won't be affording those for awhile...

@MUPaully: Yeah the Grado SR60s are great, but man I can't keep them on my head for more than 30 minutes. I've heard some of the new Grados are more comfortable, but I haven't tried them. The most comfortable headphones I've ever used are my Sennheiser HD570s, which they don't make anymore. But I can wear them for like 12 hours straight without even realizing they're on.

I'll second the Sennheiser and Grado recommendations. Love my SR60s and HD545s.