I have a pair of Etymotics 4S and a Headroom Amp. Noise cancellation is second to none. Sound quality is a good as any headphone period, it's all personal prefernce. When you have great noise cancellation, you won't have to play your music at highter levels to cancel out the noise to enjoy your music. I would not worry about hurting your eardrums. The negative is that the 4S's need an exteral amp. However, Etyomotics makes a version that does not require an amp that is very close to the sound quality of the 4S called the 4P.
Which headphones should be purchased?
Which headphones are your favorites and why? What do they do well that others do not. I am looking for a pair of Headphones that I can take on a train or plane, so closed is probably the way I want to go. I have a pair of HD 600s and love them, but I can't use them in public. How are the Bose in comparison to others, I have heard great things, but not from audiophiles, thanks for your help.