Eucariote - Thanks so much for your recommendations!  Comfort is certainly important.  I just read some reviews and think the AKG K271MKII just might serve my purpose.  I will also read reviews for the others you mentioned. Thanks again!

Or these?   Koss QZ-5 Noise Reduction Headphones   http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00004Z6Q6/ref=ord_cart_shr?ie=UTF8&m=A1729W3053T57N   I'd prefer some headphones that actually do sound good when music is playing because I really do love music, just not during the few hours of the...

http://www.head-fi.org/wiki/a-hopefully-helpful-headphone-buying-guide-for-newbies-by-boomana

Anybody tried these?   Direct Sound Direct Sound EX-25 Extreme Isolation Headphones   http://www.amazon.com/Direct-Sound-EX-25-Isolation-Headphones/dp/B0010HHEEM/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1287271096&sr=8-2   Review: "She says everything is nice and quiet just wearing the...

If it's the Audio-Technia ATH-ES7, I just found it at buydig.com for $69 with free shipping.  They look "genuine" to me.

I'm new also but did a quick search and came up with this chart from http://sound.westhost.com/project113.htm.  Not sure if it is what you're looking for or not...     Impedance Power (Direct) 120 Ohm Feed 8 Ohms 1.5 W 35 mW 32 Ohms 2.2 W 99 mW 65 Ohms 1.1 W 136 mW...

Thanks for the suggestion.  That is usually what I do but find even relaxing sort of music (with no vocals) distracting.  I work best in a quiet environment. 

Any suggestions for office headphones that are effective at blocking noise with or without music (primarily without)?   I work in an office where my cubicle neighbors are not very considerate; often I can hear people conversing, three different radios playing, someone snapping or humming...