I’ve been researching IEMs for a daily NYC subway commute but came across a snag.
I have wide taste. I mostly listen to alternative rock or techno (so I do like the bass) but will sometime vary as far as classical. The last three years I’ve been content with my Denon AH-C551 with Comfy tips. However, they finally died (lost sound in one ear) and I am ready to step up to something that can offer even better sound quality over a wider range of music (with the emphasis still on rock!)
An amp is not an option for me, so they must be driven by a dedicated mp3 player or android smartphone playing hi-end mp3s. (Controls, mic, etc. are not required.) My budget is $150 preferred but as much as $200 max.
However, for me outgoing isolation is just as important as incoming isolation. I want to listen at a decent volume (though not blasting) without subjecting the person next to me to my music selection.
My research has me leaning towards the GR07, but I'm concerned because I read these use a dynamic driver and that on such units the small vents in the housing allow more sound to escape. And while this might, debatably, provide a more airy sound quality, could this also be less suitable for outgoing isolation? It’s possible I did not research deep enough, but I could not find an answer to this question.
Any insight, links, assistance, or even recommendations would be greatly appreciated...

















