Intimate design  

Superdeluxe
I assume that when you say "headphones", you mean over-the-ear rather than in-ear.
The SR-60 sounds great for the money but is painfully uncomfortable.
The Sennheiser HD-580, -600, and -650 cost more, but they sound a lot better and are MUCH easier to wear. Unfortunately, the 580 and 600 are out of production, but you can still find them if you look hard enough. Expect to pay $150-$350 for the 580 or 600, depending on condition; $500 or so for a new 650.
The AKG K701 is really nice, too, and costs around $350.
If cost is no object, the Sennheiser HD-800 and Grado PS1000 are maybe the best headphones ever, but if you're in their target demographic you already know that.

SDR
I grew up using this Obelisk pattern by Erik Herlow... Could that be your mystery flatware?

no kidding
tktoo,
There was not a JC Penney near my home selling Towle "Boston Antique" stainless steel flatware. I will suffer with the Tiffany & Company sterling silver flatware.
http://www.jcpenney.com/jcp/X6Print.aspx?DeptID=70755&GrpTyp=PRD&ItemID=...

I'm sure it's niice stuff, ng.
From the photo, the set looks well-proportioned and the construction ought to be good enough for the marque, too.
I think I ordered our stainless from an exclusive retailer called "Ross-Simons". I don't mind paying a little extra for quality service and goods.
All kidding aside, I actually kinda like our silverware by Peter Kryder. It's an extensive set that's been in my spouse's family since it was purchased new in 1810. Unfortunately, we don't dare keep it in the house except on holidays.

no more kidding
tktoo,
I do like the looks of your formal silverware. It is always unfortunate that this type of item is not used on a daily basis. After all, if it has lasted this long with reasonable care there is no reason to believe that it will not last another two hundred years under the same conditions.
My wife suggested that I make it clear that we eat with these items at dinner and the for breakfast and lunch we use Hackman (Iittala) Citterio 98 stainless steel flatware and Iittala Aino Aalto dinerware. On the patio we will sometimes use the Erik Bagger Harmony flatware with an extensive collection of Massimo Vignelli, Max I & II dinnerware for Heller. I just enjoy collecting.
I happen to like the Tiffany & Company Padova sterling silver for a more modern look. When the price of silver drops I have my silver dealer looking for a set.

ng, I was mistaken.
I've been informed by she who is the boss of me that the set I like is not by Peter Krider, but is from 1810. The Krider set is ca. 1870 and in King's pattern, apparently. It's all bagged up in the deposit box, so I can't readily get the particulars right now.
She also recommended that if I want to come across as a pompous ass, I should at least get my facts straight and learn to spell. I am truly blessed.

I like your flatware
fastfwd,
I do like the looks of your flatware. At one time I used Tiffany & Company Bamboo silverware and most of the men complained (if that is the right word) about the handles being too thin.
On the subject of headphones my audio dealer sold me the AKG K1000's and for "shits and giggles" I bought a pair of Bang Olufsen Form 1 headphones. I rarely use either set. I prefer speakers. My sister gave me a set of Bose headphones that I will use on occassion if I am watching an online video so as not to disturb my wife.

spelling
tktoo,
I corrected the spelling, but since I am not your wife there was no need to correct you.
Feel free to "suggest" to your wife "that you use emotion for the masses and reserve the facts for the few". I have always found this to be a very effective motivational tool.
As a side note, you may "once again suggest" to your wife that every day use of your sterling silver adds a lovely patina and saves the trouble of polishing (this is void if you live in a high crime area).

I ment my own pour speling, ng.
Hadn't noticed yours.
I completely agree about patina. Evidence of the human touch adds a sublime quality to old things and is impossible to fake. I've seen enough much over-polished silver, even in museums, and it's always disappointing.
I also wonder what the point of having the stuff is if we don't use it often enough to enjoy. It must be so that our kids will have something to fight over someday.

Thanks, fstfwd --
that's close, particularly as to the transition from handle to shaft -- but the set I saw had a strictly cylindrical handle. Were yours nice to use ?

SDR
Yeah, they were fine. Guests may have had a little trouble, I guess -- or at least may have taken one look and expected to have trouble -- but everyone in the family (including very young children) used them with no difficulty at all.
Nevertheless, the flatware I chose for myself is less severe:

I simply love the Obelisk flatwear,
and see absolutely no reason not to own a full set. I have scraped my teeth on these wonderful bad boy's at my neighbors home. I do have a full set of the Dansk Quistguard Fjord flatwear, and have been using a set of Swid Powell (Richard Meier??) for my everyday tools...but I must have a set of the Obelisk. Thank you Fastfwd.
Cheers to all!

That looks
Particlarly disturbing, Krenit. I have no desire to know what it is used for, but I have a rough idea
I do find surgical instruments strangely attractive though. Cronenberg's film 'Dead Ringers' took them to a whole new level.