It's hard to pinpoint when big over-ear headphones went mainstream. It was probably when Dr. Dre/Ludacris/Michael Phelps started endorsing mediocre cans for big bucks. Regardless, big-ass headphones aren't just for big city cool kids anymore, they're for everyone: elementary schoolers, teenagers, even your mom or dad. The problem is that when those people ask for headphones for the holidays, they're asking for (and receiving!) Beats headphones, which, to be frank, are way overpriced. Do them one better this season by giving them the Audio Technica ATH-M50, which is only $105 from Amazon today.
These headphones are excellent and boast an impressive pedigree. The guys on Head-Fi forums and r/headphones love these cans and the Wirecutter said they the best headphone value for the money. Lifehacker's Whitson Gordon recommended them too (at $160!) If you look through those forums and comments, you'll see people freaking out when they find them at $120. They're an even better value at today's price—I wanted a pair back in the summer and I couldn't find any under $150.
Give someone a pair of these cans for Christmas, and you'll spend an entire year being the coolest uncle/cousin/BFF ever. [Amazon]
Update 4:41—They're sold out but you can still order them at $105.75 and Amazon will ship them when they get more stock. Choose Amazon on the right side under More Buying Choices. The straight cable version is still available for $132.
Update 8:31 — Back in stock.
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