Question Any good Headsets w/mic for big head and ears?

[Raktus]

I use my headset about 10 hours a day for audio editing and recording purposes. So I need something that is comfortable and sounds alright. I've been using a Sennheiser GSP 600 for years now and was loving it. Recently, the ear pads have begun to rapidly fall apart and I thought I could just replace them. I got about three different sets of replacements, all fit tight around the ear and caused things to sound weird, especially my own voice when I tried to talk when wearing them... not a problem I had with the old pads. I figure what might be happening is that the new ones are smaller and tighter and it's causing some sort of effect that the looser old ones didn't have... so maybe I should try a larger headset with larger ear space. Comfort and sound quality would be the chief concern, with micrphone quality second... but still important.
I'd like to avoid running the gambit of buying headsets, trying them out and returning them if I could just find some people with experience and suggestions. 🙂

 

[Jane Markoz]

Yeah, this actually makes sense, it’s not just worn pads vs new ones. The replacement pads are tighter/smaller, which changes the seal and how sound behaves. That’s why everything feels off and your own voice sounds weird. Since you’re using them ~10 hours a day, I’d honestly stop chasing replacement pads and switch to something more comfortable with bigger ear cups.

Best pick: Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro (80Ω)
Super comfy, big velour pads, great for long sessions and accurate enough for editing. Only downside is no mic.

If your voice sounding “in your head” bugs you a lot:
Sennheiser HD 560S (open-back) is way more natural, but leaks sound.

If you want a headset (with mic):
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro is decent all rounder, just not as good for pure audio work.

 

[Raktus]

Yeah, this actually makes sense, it’s not just worn pads vs new ones. The replacement pads are tighter/smaller, which changes the seal and how sound behaves. That’s why everything feels off and your own voice sounds weird. Since you’re using them ~10 hours a day, I’d honestly stop chasing replacement pads and switch to something more comfortable with bigger ear cups.

Best pick: Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro (80Ω)
Super comfy, big velour pads, great for long sessions and accurate enough for editing. Only downside is no mic.

If your voice sounding “in your head” bugs you a lot:
Sennheiser HD 560S (open-back) is way more natural, but leaks sound.

If you want a headset (with mic):
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro is decent all rounder, just not as good for pure audio work.

I tried the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro and didn't like them at all... and I have a pair of Sennheiser HD 560S. The audio sounds a bit off to me, compared to what I'm used to... I also got an inline mic for it, not loving that either. I'm still using my broken headset at the moment. Duct tape holding the headband together and I took a sewing kit to the earpads, so they aren't minutes from falling apart anymore... will say, the 560S are more comfortable.

Oh, in regards to those earpads... I think my original pads were made of a different material than the replacements you get these days. They bleed sound, just enough to make a closed back set sound open backed. To the point that they sound more open backed than actual open backed that I've bought. If I could figure out what they were, I'd just buy more of those... unfortunately no one can figure that out.

 

[Jane Markoz]

It sounds like you've become used to a really certain sound, and nothing else will feel right. The 560S is rather neutral, so if you enjoyed more punch or warmth earlier, it can seem a little "off." And yes, the Nova Pro's sound, which is optimized for gaming, isn't for everyone. About the earpads: the older ones were thicker and didn't let as much air through, thus they sealed better. The newer replacements let more sound through, which is why your closed-backs might seem unexpectedly open.

If you want that classic sound back, search for PU/protein leather pads with thicker foam. Brainwavz and Wicked Cushions are two nice choices. If your duct-taped headset is more comfortable, it merely means you've found the sound you enjoy. It's all about reproducing that mood.

 

[Raktus]

It sounds like you've become used to a really certain sound, and nothing else will feel right. The 560S is rather neutral, so if you enjoyed more punch or warmth earlier, it can seem a little "off." And yes, the Nova Pro's sound, which is optimized for gaming, isn't for everyone. About the earpads: the older ones were thicker and didn't let as much air through, thus they sealed better. The newer replacements let more sound through, which is why your closed-backs might seem unexpectedly open.

If you want that classic sound back, search for PU/protein leather pads with thicker foam. Brainwavz and Wicked Cushions are two nice choices. If your duct-taped headset is more comfortable, it merely means you've found the sound you enjoy. It's all about reproducing that mood.

Unfortunately, I've bought Wicked Cushions before (WC FreeZe) and they don't have the same sound with them. I agree with you that a specific kind of pad is likely what I'm looking for, as it seems like these were made from a material that's different from what you get with a generic replacement set. I even sent messages to Sennheiser and EPOS about what kind of ear pads they used to have and if it was possible to get replacements of them. No go on either side.

Something I ended up doing, that worked for a while, was taking a sewing kit to the old ones. Just sewed them shut again, which has worked in one respect... they aren't falling apart anymore. Unfortunately, the part that isn't working is that the foam is shifting in the right ear pad, making it sit uncomfortably against the ear and uncomfortable to wear for long periods of time. The only fix I can imagine for that would be to rip them open and try and re-sew them... which would be a massive risk to not being able to fix them again.

 

[LordVile]

I use my headset about 10 hours a day for audio editing and recording purposes. So I need something that is comfortable and sounds alright. I've been using a Sennheiser GSP 600 for years now and was loving it. Recently, the ear pads have begun to rapidly fall apart and I thought I could just replace them. I got about three different sets of replacements, all fit tight around the ear and caused things to sound weird, especially my own voice when I tried to talk when wearing them... not a problem I had with the old pads. I figure what might be happening is that the new ones are smaller and tighter and it's causing some sort of effect that the looser old ones didn't have... so maybe I should try a larger headset with larger ear space. Comfort and sound quality would be the chief concern, with micrphone quality second... but still important.
I'd like to avoid running the gamut of buying headsets, trying them out and returning them if I could just find some people with experience and suggestions. 🙂

Budget? You could get some open backs and a desk/mod mic?

 

[Raktus]

Budget? You could get some open backs and a desk/mod mic?

Not sure what my budget would be tbh. Something reasonable? I still technically have the Sennheiser HD 560S's that I bought but didn't think to return in the time frame. They were comfortable, but the audio wasn't quite right for me. And, likely the stupidest quibble I'm sure you'll hear... I hate that they don't have a knob on them to adjust the volume. I hate having to open a program on the computer to do it, when I'm already used to the convenience of just reaching up to the side of my head.

ANYWAYS... When I got it, I also got a Sennheiser HD 500 BAM, which I tested out... and it's audio quality was muffled and bad. Worse than the headset mic I already have. I will admit, my current mic picks up a background hiss in my room no matter what, but I already edit audio so its not a big deal removing it.

So yeah, my problem has been that I've tried:
Audio-Technica BPHS1 - Maybe I got unlucky and had a problem in shipping, but what I got felt like two melted pieces of plastic against the side of my head. Couldn't wear them for more than 10 minutes without having pain.
Logitech G335 - Sounded horrible, small, bad mic
DROP PC38X - Sound was worse than I already have, the mic quality was worse. Had an audio dial that only went down to half volume.
Sennheiser HD 500 BAM - As I said, the best sounding so far, comfortable as well. No volume adjustment on the headset, no mic.
Sennheiser GSP 500 - Thought I could try an older model just in case. Worse sound than what I have.
Sennheiser GSP 600 - Also tried getting a replacement version exactly the same as what I already have. Guess they don't make them the same anymore. Uncomfortable, sound different.

So, not adverse to trying. Just can't seem to find the right thing for me.

 

[LordVile]

Not sure what my budget would be tbh. Something reasonable? I still technically have the Sennheiser HD 560S's that I bought but didn't think to return in the time frame. They were comfortable, but the audio wasn't quite right for me. And, likely the stupidest quibble I'm sure you'll hear... I hate that they don't have a knob on them to adjust the volume. I hate having to open a program on the computer to do it, when I'm already used to the convenience of just reaching up to the side of my head.

ANYWAYS... When I got it, I also got a Sennheiser HD 500 BAM, which I tested out... and it's audio quality was muffled and bad. Worse than the headset mic I already have. I will admit, my current mic picks up a background hiss in my room no matter what, but I already edit audio so its not a big deal removing it.

So yeah, my problem has been that I've tried:
Audio-Technica BPHS1 - Maybe I got unlucky and had a problem in shipping, but what I got felt like two melted pieces of plastic against the side of my head. Couldn't wear them for more than 10 minutes without having pain.
Logitech G335 - Sounded horrible, small, bad mic
DROP PC38X - Sound was worse than I already have, the mic quality was worse. Had an audio dial that only went down to half volume.
Sennheiser HD 500 BAM - As I said, the best sounding so far, comfortable as well. No volume adjustment on the headset, no mic.
Sennheiser GSP 500 - Thought I could try an older model just in case. Worse sound than what I have.
Sennheiser GSP 600 - Also tried getting a replacement version exactly the same as what I already have. Guess they don't make them the same anymore. Uncomfortable, sound different.

So, not adverse to trying. Just can't seem to find the right thing for me.

Have you thought of getting a keyboard with a dial or a pass through volume and mic switch adopter for the headphone?

Personally I’m not the biggest fan of the 560, I prefer the 599 as it’s slightly warmer and less harsh on the top end.