Headphones--The Grado sound in a closed design?

I also like the Grados, but dont want an open backed phone.

Audio Technica has been recommended for a more reasonable price, but I have not yet compared my Grados or Sennheisers with Audio Technicas.

I dont want to disturb my family if they are sleeping, the passenger next to me if I am traveling and I dont want anyone in the gym knowing what music I like.

What is the benefit of open headphones?

I have owned so many headphones I lost track.

Grado are very nice and I used Grado RS-1 for a long time. Grados have their own sound and you will not find anything like them. There are good closed heaphones but I really can't think of one under $400.

I would recommend using two pairs of headphones. Use your Grados at home and buy a pair of in ear monitors for out and about. Ulitmate Ears Triple-Fi 10vi are very good. They retail for $400ish but I have seen new pairs on ebay/amazon for as low as $150 (the top of your range). They also have a mic and button for changing songs.

Ultimate Ears have a nice sound. The highs are a little more extended than Shure's IEM. The mids are very clear and will hang with some of the best speakers out there. The mids are a touch set back though and I feel the need played a little loud to sound there best. The bass is stunning really...

Ultimate Ears fit maybe hit or miss though. They stick out pretty far but do not need to sit way down in the ear like most IEM. They almost fit like cheap earbuds, just resting inside the inner ear. They provide much better isolation than over the ear headphones but other brands of IEM will provided more isolation.

Here is an unrelated like to Alessandro headphones, they take Grados and modify them and they are a touch smother with softer highs.

"What is the benefit of open headphones?"

It is like having a larger room for your speakers. The mids are more open and the bass is more controlled (less lumpy), but closed headphones have come a long way and there are a growing number of closed heaphones that sound as good as open.

I want to try some of these Planer Magnetic Headphones, Maggies in a can....

Yes, I have noticed the planar headphones and would love to give them a try too.

But to me, one of the main benefits of headphones should be privacy.

For in ear, I have tried expensive Etymotics, expensive Shures, cheaper Shures and I have just ordered a pair of Sennheisers.

But they all sound claustrophic to me, with an annoying, "orchestra inside my head" lack of imaging, not to mention generally uncomfortable.

For other closed phones, apparently Sony makes a decent pair for not too much $$$.

As posted in another thread on closed headphones, I noticed the Phiaton MS 400s are well reviewed in the latest Stereophile survey.

Having just tried them, they do leak a bit of sound, but are detailed, revealing and efficient for use with a laptop or a portable device.