I wasn't suggesting that linear phase EQ is the answer to everything, it just illustrates how different types of EQ work. Also, "more headroom" doesn't necessarily mean "lower peaks". It just means that you can add more stuff to it and it will not sound like crap. You'll still have peaks, but there will be fewer of them, and you'll be able to control them using a limiter or a saturator. For example, if you mix two sounds with overlapping sub-bass contents, the resulting peaks will be huge, and there may also be phase cancellations. If you cut the sub on one of the sounds, the result will be much more controllable. As I mentioned, "regular" EQ may create a DC offset, but if you have other plugins further down the processing chain, it probably does not matter. Linear phase EQ may work better for cutting the sub but it does smear transients, so there is no universal rule. I think "use your ears" is the best piece of advice that can be give here.
