I was very interested in your disassembly. I love the Anandas, which I bought a couple of weeks ago.
But I was noticing such uncomfort that didn't make any sense. I have a Sundara, which share the same headband, and I never had a problem with them.
Then I realized the leathery headband that rests on your head was shorter than the one on the Sundara, which put more force on the top of the head.
I measured both leather bands and the one in the Sundara (2018 model) was over 1 cm longer, despite it being a smaller headphone.
I may be wrong, but I tried the Anandas at a store and they didn't feel like mine at all. I just think it is a case of poor manufacturing control.
They're going back, whatever the reason for the problem. I just can't stand them. Maybe if I had a smaller head I wouldn't notice the difference.
Too bad, because I loved the sound.