Basic/mid fi headphone advice.

Thanks Geoff, I will look into those. Ghost, I have not gone there, was not aware of it. Will look into it.

Question: Some headphones say something about open or open air. Not sure what this means but even though I do not need noise canceling I do not want to hear background noise through 'open' headphones (if that is what that means).

Great recommendations guys. Thank you. I think the Grados are open so that won't be an option. My wife already doesn't like the noise coming from the ear buds when we're sitting in bed.

I already have hearing loss and tinnitus (agreed, it sucks) but it doesn't take much volume to hear someone else's ear buds in a quiet room. Regardless, the main reason I would prefer closed headphones is also to keep out any outside noise. I will be using them in places that will not be completely quiet.

Geoff, ear plugs would be a very practical solution but like with many simple obvious solutions comes with serious consequences affecting appetites other than music.

sgordon1, with a good imagination one can satisfy more than a few appetites while sitting. Almost all of them, in fact.

But I'd concede the battles and the wars to keep what I've got......

Thanks guys. All very helpful thoughts and observations. That's why I keep coming back here with my new-audiophile questions. Will let you know what I finally do. But it seems clear, for my purposes and for my wife I need to go with closed phones.

Maybe you have imagined more than I have said?

I settled for the  Sony MDR-7506s. They sound pretty good to me and came with free overnight shipping. For the price I think they fit my needs very well. Thanks for the good advice.

So far I'm happy with the SQ in the Sonys. They seem very neutral to me without over-the-top bass. But, I find the ear pieces to be slightly uncomfortable after more than about 20 minutes. The cushion is very shallow and just not quite big enough. (I guess that means my ears are too big and stick out too far.)

I've ordered a larger thicker set of ear cushions that reviewers claim to be much more comfortable. 

The Sonys that I got block sound out quite well. And my wife says she hears nothing when I’m sitting nearby with them.

I used earbuds with shooting ear muffs (I’m a shooter too) for years when I was mowing on my farm tractor. Works well enough for both purposes. Will try out these Sonys for that as well. Even with small earbuds the muffs start to get uncomfortable after a while.

My main problems with ear bud is they don’t sound good to me unless they are pushed way into my ear canal. Then they sound awesome. I’ve got a decent pair with soft rubber tips (think stethoscope) and they sound great until they start to back out which they always do.

Anyway, new ear pads for the Sony arrive today. If they are comfortable then all problems solved.

I got the replacement ear pads and they are much more comfortable. Overall happy with the purchase and even with the replacement pads it came in at under $100 with free next day shipping.