The head size vs fit thread for over-ear headphones

We all know some headphones fit us better than others. Perhaps some of you have tried on headphones that simply don’t fit at all. I’m short and have a very small head but have no way to try before I buy. Many are in the same position.

For example, some people report that certain Focals and Mr Speakers Aeons are too loose no matter how they adjust the headband. Do the enormous Arya and Ananda even fit smaller heads?

So I ask you to report on the over-ear headphones you have, not only how they fit yourself but how they fit family members and friends from child to full male adult. (Selfishly, I’m especially hoping for reports on small head fit as well as normal and large, since I never see this on-line.)

Obviously, I’d love to get hundreds of reports, all with heaps of detail. But will take what I can get. If useful, I’ll aggregate them from time to time.

Example post follows.

Test cases: I have small adult male head with medium-size ears that are fairly flat to my head. Head circumference tight around ears: 21 in, 54 cm. Head around top from ear canal to ear canal: 14 in, 36 cm. Ears: 2.4 x 14 x 0.4 in, 60 x 35 x 10 mm, nearly flat to skull. Have only tried my headphones on three other people, all adult males, all with larger heads than mine.

Senn HD 579: Headband: min. 16.5 in, 42 cm, max 20 in, 51 cm from yoke pivot to yoke pivot. Ear cup inner: 2 7/8 x 1 3/4 x 7/8 in, 7.3 x 4.4 x 2.3 cm. Have not tried with children. Best fit at 1 notch extension for my head except seal not tight at top of ear cup. Presumably similar for many teenagers and perhaps adult females. Fine for other adult male subjects. Plenty of room for my and their ears. All report them very comfortable.

A-T M50x: Headband: min. 17.5 in, 44.5 cm, max 20 in, 51 cm from yoke pivot to yoke pivot. Ear cup inner: 2 x 1.5 x 5/8 in, 5 x 4 x 1.6 cm. A bit tight out of box for me but easily stretched. Best fit with no headband extension. Fit actually changes from loose in winter to tight in summer. So even tighter for most adult males. Unacceptable for my adult son but fine for his even taller friend who uses his pair exclusively and is on his second pair. Ear cup cavity tight but just acceptable for my ears. (Ditto for previous M-50 and M50s models.)

bey DT 1990: Headband: min. 16 in, 40.5 cm, max 18 7/8 in, 48 cm from yoke pivot to yoke pivot. Ear cup inner: 2 x 2 x 7/8 in, 5 x 5 x 2.3 cm. Snug with headband hot-spot out of the box. Headband is malleable so easily corrected. Best fit with 1 notch headband extension. Ear cup cavities are medium-small and average in depth. Not an issue for anyone I’ve had try them, but I’ve read reports of people who find them too small. All who’ve tried my pair find them very comfortable.

I find there are certain models sold as over ear that are neither over ear or on ear with the result that they are very uncomfortable. Examples include the One More Triple Driver and Marshall Monitor.

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