Newbie Question - Do Grado's make noise to the outside world?

[Argyris]

Quote:

well I am looking for a few things in my purchase - 
1. Sound - I am looking for something that sounds good for my "lowercase" genre listening. i.e. Bernhard Gunter, Francisco Lopez, Alva Noto, etc. 
For those unfamiliar please listen to this youtube clip. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXfek1kUpv0
2. Size - I prefer a headphone, not an earphone. Something comfy.
3. Field Recordings - somewhat durable. I make field recordings so I want something that will work for this in all aspects, whatever that may be.
4. Looks. Not into the new flashy look like the carbon fibre cans or the fancy look like the wooded grados. I don't want childish - I want mature audiophile! And yes, those huge cans
do look dorky.....but overall, the most important thing is the sound.
5. Closed would be nicer as I can listen without worry for people and places.

My budget is up to or around 400 bucks. Cheaper is fine too. Any help will be appreciated. 

I'm assuming when you say earphone you mean the kind that sit in or near the ear canal (not supra-aural, on-ear headphones, which happens to include most Grados, incidentally). I'm going to go in a different direction and suggest the Sennheiser HD25-1, based on number three (and the other points as well). They've been a staple of ENG for a long time, they're known for their durability, they have sober (not flashy, not horribly ugly) looks, and they are reputed to have a punchy, aggressive sound (a lot like the Grados you were considering, actually).*
 
Also, you might find this article interesting. Headfonia went through and compared a bunch of closed audiophile (and, in one case, not-so-audiophile) headphones.
 
*This is assuming you liked the descriptions of the Grado signature you may have read. I listened to your linked track and couldn't really say what sort of tonal balance would work well with it. If you're looking for laid back and smooth, you'd do better with something else from the Headfonia link or perhaps another poster's suggestion.

 

[Graphicism]

Sony SA5000 ~ Semi open although they don't leak much IMO, excellent cans for ambient and the like. AKG K701/2 would be another option with there huge soundstage.