Help with ear cup sizing for closed back headphones - it seems I may have largish ears

[subwoofer]

Please help? I'm trying to get some replacement earphones and keep hitting sizing issues. Not the headband, but the fit over my ears.

My old Sennheiser HD380 Pro have a good size space for my ears, I also have no problem with the Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro.

The latest arrival that is not suitable are the Audio-Technica M30x which looked a good set, but then immediately on trying to put them on, they are catching my ears under the pads until I jiggle them around. I just want pads that easily fit around my ears, and don't need to be fiddled with.

The M30x are around the price point I'm happy with for this purpose, and I need closed back with good bass, but room for my ears.

Can anyone recommend something with similar ear space to the HD380 pro?

 

[dunring]

The DT770 has 100mm diameter pads, and inside diameter of 65mm. If those fit well it's the size to look for. Tascam uses that size, and used Beyerdynamic can be gotten in that price range if it's a pair with good pads. The budget Hifiman closed back models are really large too.

 

[subwoofer]

The HD380s have an internal size of 70mmx40mm as an oval. I think this is more of what I'm aiming for. I was wondering if the HD280 pro or HD300 pro were a similar size but many of the reviews have put me off these as there seemed to be a general opinion they both lacked bass.

 

[Adamant11746]

The DT770 has 100mm diameter pads, and inside diameter of 65mm.

The pad diameter is correct here, but I think the inside diameter is more like 55mm (at least according to most measurements I've seen of their pads, from places like DIY-Audio-Heaven). Aftermarket pads can sometimes get bigger (Dekoni is 60mm and ZMF is 65mm), but that adds to the price and massively changes the sound.

The HD380s have an internal size of 70mmx40mm as an oval. I think this is more of what I'm aiming for. I was wondering if the HD280 pro or HD300 pro were a similar size but many of the reviews have put me off these as there seemed to be a general opinion they both lacked bass.

That's tough if you want a full 70mm of height at the price you're looking for. I have been searching for something similar for a while but even bigger (and my budget is higher, because I have NO cheap options). If the Beyerdynamics fit, then you might be able to get away with something that has 60mm x 40mm pads. I don't know what depth you need, but you may want to try the Shure SRH440A if you are okay with fairly shallow pads (Solderdude at DIY-Audio-Heaven measured 18mm thick). It's a bit above your budget, but not by as much as most other headphones I'd recommend. The AKG K361 is another option, with slightly less bass than the Shure but still a good amount, but unlike Shure there's pretty much no longevity in terms of parts availability. Once the pads wear out you'd have to try aftermarket options, where with the Shure you can buy new stock pads for $25. As far as I know neither headphone has replaceable headband padding, so once that starts to flake on either one you'd probably have to buy a cover.

I'd also recommend going to a place like Guitar Center and trying some of their display headphones. It won't give you the best idea of their sound signature because the store tends to be extremely noisy, but it will let you figure out comfort issues (at least the obvious ones). Also, because it tends to be noisy you get a good idea of how much isolation the various headphones provide. I've done that a bunch of times, but eventually realized I need a MINIMUM of 70mm height x 45-50mm width x 28-30mm depth (which only the open back Sennheiser HD 400 Pro even came close to).

 

[subwoofer]

The pad diameter is correct here, but I think the inside diameter is more like 55mm (at least according to most measurements I've seen of their pads, from places like DIY-Audio-Heaven). Aftermarket pads can sometimes get bigger (Dekoni is 60mm and ZMF is 65mm), but that adds to the price and massively changes the sound.

That's tough if you want a full 70mm of height at the price you're looking for. I have been searching for something similar for a while but even bigger (and my budget is higher, because I have NO cheap options). If the Beyerdynamics fit, then you might be able to get away with something that has 60mm x 40mm pads. I don't know what depth you need, but you may want to try the Shure SRH440A if you are okay with fairly shallow pads (Solderdude at DIY-Audio-Heaven measured 18mm thick). It's a bit above your budget, but not by as much as most other headphones I'd recommend. The AKG K361 is another option, with slightly less bass than the Shure but still a good amount, but unlike Shure there's pretty much no longevity in terms of parts availability. Once the pads wear out you'd have to try aftermarket options, where with the Shure you can buy new stock pads for $25. As far as I know neither headphone has replaceable headband padding, so once that starts to flake on either one you'd probably have to buy a cover.

I'd also recommend going to a place like Guitar Center and trying some of their display headphones. It won't give you the best idea of their sound signature because the store tends to be extremely noisy, but it will let you figure out comfort issues (at least the obvious ones). Also, because it tends to be noisy you get a good idea of how much isolation the various headphones provide. I've done that a bunch of times, but eventually realized I need a MINIMUM of 70mm height x 45-50mm width x 28-30mm depth (which only the open back Sennheiser HD 400 Pro even came close to).

Thank you for a very considered reply full of useful insights. I did spot the Shure SRH440A and might give these a go some time.
Today I got some Sony MDR-7506, and though not really spacious enough, they are just OK, and I really enjoyed their sound, so will keep these. Another benefit of the Sony ones is they are very light, and fold, so overall a keeper.
I will definitely look to check those Shure SRH440A.