I would most likely mean analytical, perhaps cold?
Why would you want to listen to that?
Anyways, that's basically 180* from what a lot of headphones these days target. Analytical and bright by itself isn't all that rare (but it is with closed cans - most closed cans have jacked up bass, at least most recent ones), but cold is not very popular (because it's, well, cold). The only can I can think of that would *maybe* approach what you want in analytical and cold, that's also closed, would be the Beyerdynamic T70 - but I really don't like suggesting those (and they probably blow your budget apart).
, with no frequency emphasized, both measured and perceived flat (e.g., the KNS6400 measures flat but doesn't sounds so).
You cannot have measured AND perceived flat - measured flat will be perceived bright and bass-light, perceived flat will measure with a V-curve. It's one or the other (there is no "absolute flat"). You also have to remember that FR is one piece of the pie, not the whole thing, so you can have a headphone that measures "flat" but still sounds boomy or harsh or sibilant, or one that measures bass or treble boosted and sounds clean as a whistle. Most closed headphones will be more towards the "boomy bass" side (it's just a recent trend more than anything else), which limits your options (and I completely understand not wanting a bass boomer).
I think I should have stated that I want them for music composing and competitive gaming.
The first one is easy - basically pick a studio monitor (and I think the HD 280 are a fine example as any), the second one is not - now you're talking about good soundstaging, imaging, that sort of thing. And closed headphones are at a disadvantage there. Out of curiosity, would you consider having two headphones? In other words keeping the HD 280 as a monitor, and getting something better suited just for gaming and music enjoyment? I think that'd be the easiest choice here.
And as for the international shipping, to be honest, between the high costs, and the insecurity of the US to Mexico customs (I've heard lots of nasty experiences), I don't think is worth it.
I can understand that. FWIW, AudioCubes does not ship from the US - they ship from Osaka, Japan. I don't know how much EMS costs into Mexico, but I know to the US it isn't terrible, and as long as you don't have massive import duties it shouldn't be terrible for you either. You could e-mail them and ask (they're very helpful, by and large - might take them a day or two to respond, but I think that's the time delay more than anything).
Nevertheless, you're most thanked for your comment, you seem the type who likes to aid other people
You're welcome, and thanks for the kind words.
Now, reading this got me thinking about more of what you're actually describing - I'm going to lean on the Koss headphones pretty heavily in terms of what I want to suggest. The TBSE taking the front of the running - they're relatively uncolored, they don't blow anything out of proportion, they have good imaging, they're comfortable, they're under $200, and should be available from a variety of places (and while I say "TBSE" - the Koss DJ100 and DJ200 are basically the same headphone with different packaging) - I know Koss themselves ship internationally (http://www.koss.com/en/support/international_shipping), they list a Mexican distributor as well:
Koss Website said:
Equipos Y Cintas S.A. De C.V.
Website: www.equiposycintas.com.mx
Email: koss@equiposycintas.com.mx
And I think Best Buy sells the DJ100 as well (if you know roughly where in the US you're going to shop, I know the Best Buy website can check local inventory if you can provide a zipcode or store #).
The MV1 are a bit more colored, more "live" sounding with some mid/treble emphasis, but it isn't nasty. I think they're mislabeled as "professional monitors" but they're very good nonetheless. Easy to listen to for a long time, and good enough imaging. Somewhat heavy though.
The other option, and take this suggestion with a bit of a grain of salt (because I'm suggesting it based on a 44 year old pair of headphones sitting on my dining room table) would be the Pro4-AA (which is the archetypal Koss headphone). Very clean/clear sound (they're massively damped), and relatively flat throughout without being overly clinical or cold. They're easy to listen to, but aren't over-emphasized anywhere. They were originally designed as studio monitors and hi-fi, in the late 1960s and early 1970s, and accordingly weigh a ton. But they might be the ticket for what you want. You will need some sort of headphone amplifier (or stereo receiver, or PC soundcard with an amp, etc) if you get the MV1 or Pro4-AA, as both are 250R and will not play nice with a lot of portable devices or line-out soundcards.
Here's the DJ100 and Pro4-AA product pages (figure I'm already on the site, why not?):
http://www.koss.com/en/products/headphones/full_size_headphones/PRODJ100__PRODJ100_Full_Size_Headphones
http://www.koss.com/en/products/headphones/full_size_headphones/PRO4AA__PRO4AA_Full_Size_Headphone
The MV1 was (as far as I can tell) recently discontinued - I know Amazon still has a few (doesn't help much, I know), but otherwise I'm not sure where else to look. I don't think they were ever majorly popular, so I'm not sure if stores like Best Buy or Target ever picked them up (but admittedly, I didn't even know Target sold headphones until two weeks ago!).
And just for grins, measurement data on all of them:
http://www.geocities.jp/ryumatsuba/prodj100.html
http://www.geocities.jp/ryumatsuba/pro4aa.html
http://www.geocities.jp/ryumatsuba/mv1.html
My listening impressions do not agree with the MV1 measurements (there is no way that's a +20 dB spike, maybe +5 or +10, but not +20), just figured I'd point that out (and He&Bi's measurements do not agree with other place's measurements of the MV1 either - but most other places have even more screwed up looking graphs (GE's looks like the FR was beaten on with a stick - and they certainly do not sound like that)). I'm wondering if the pads are just hard to seal on a measurement rig (they're easy to put onto your head, but I don't think I could get them (correctly) onto someone else's head - they're kind of odd shaped).
If you can look at open headphones (if you don't really need the isolation, I would - and if you're thinking you need a pair for travel, I'd say let the HD 280 do that, and consider a nice open-back pair for at home if you can), I'd again suggest the HFI-2400 as well. They'll have better soundstaging than any of the Koss models, and have a bit of extra bass impact (it isn't overbearing, and is only when called upon), so they would be a good pick for gaming and movies imho - they're fun for music, but I'd absolutely not use them as a reference for mixing or composition (at least without knowing their quirks).
Eh, there seems to be a lot of complains about the upper mids, for a headphone that price, you'd expect better.
I would agree - having heard them. The build quality is nice, but getting a seal takes a bit of adjustment (this always annoys me when headphones can't just be "plopped on"), and they're a bit hot in the upper mids. Compared to modern ~$300 closed headphones, I think they're a fine showing (which is sadly not saying much), but compared to all headphones overall, I certainly expected more.
