It's funny how  people continue to bash them all the time. It's like they seem to make people mad. For me they work, I rarely have to remix because of balance or to much bass,,  that they are probably the best investment you could make in a studio. 

I dug up my very old Audio Technica ATH-910 Pro phones that I used to have for guitar practice. I was thinking about getting new ones, but then I saw AT are selling them for £109, around $163 USD. On that basis, I think I'll keep using them. They sound pretty good, too.

I know that I will get "flamed" for this, but:

I recently bought the noise-cancelling Bose QC-15 - love 'em -they're great!

My Sennheiser HD-650's were so highly recommended, but they emphasize the mid-range too much.

Both of the models are a bit beyond your price range, but if you can stretch it - I would say go for it!

pdarg

I know that I will get "flamed" for this, but:

I recently bought the noise-cancelling Bose QC-15 - love 'em -they're great! 

I should get flamed too.  I tend to use my noise-cancelling Audio-Technica ANC9 phones, especially when there is a lot of activity in the house.  I've got ATH-M50 phones too, but I've been using them less lately.

The NS-10 "thing" is crazy ATM,about a year ago,a Japanese fellow,was selling sets on ebay for around $200 plus shipping[another $100+ to Australia],well guess what? now a set goes on ebay regularly for $800!!!.....ridiculous.


Then last week,I noticed an auction in Oz,and put in my bid of $90,but they ended up going for $750!!!


As far as speakers,I actually prefer my bedroom stereo,with one,yes only one Tannoy Eaton HPD295 on the left,and some "who knows what" on the right,over,and above my studio/desktop setup of 2 KRK G2 5",with room treatment,and optimum speaker placement,I just don't like their sound!


It's crazy,I have a much more powerful i7 2600k desktop,overclocked to 4.6GHz,and 2 screens[which has never made the slightest error with either X1 or X2!],but I really prefer mixing with the Tannoy!,and using my i7 2630qm 2GHz dell XPS laptop,even though it does odd things with X2,like open the wrong page,when exporting,or even when choosing presets.


As far as headphones go,I went for some Sony  MDR-7509HD,which are pretty good,but out of your price range[$295 when I bought mine],but to be honest,I wouldn't be at all surprised if the cheaper Audio Technica model,that many rave about are actually better.


I'm very confused about the whole monitor thing,as I dislike my KRK's so much,I'd rather use a cheap laptop,just so I can use the Tannoy,and don't have to hear what's coming out of those "other"  speakers.
Bob 

REALITY CHECK:


P.S. I shouldn't compare excellently priced " 5" Entry Level nearfield powered monitors" to vintage 10" driver passive classic speakers from England,in their "big ass" cabinets,especially when a decent set[if you can find them]usually go for $2000+ as a working set....definitely my BAD!

 KRK G2 Rokit 5" are totally fine,especially at $149 each!
That VRM thing that allows you to assimilate 15 or so different monitors,through your headphones,especially if the phones are as good as SONY MDR-7509HD Professionals,should be a winner on paper?,what's it like in "real life"?

Anway,good luck on your quest Eeyan,and your job sounds kinda cool!
Cheers
Bob