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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Top Deals
• ATH-M50 with coiled cable ($105.75) | Amazon | Normally $150+
Accessories
• 10 Touch Screen Styli ($3) | Amazon via Reddit | Originally $10
• 64GB Patriot SD Card ($25.49) | Newegg via Tech Deal Digger | Originally $50 | Use coupon code BTEJJHB56 and MIR
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• Line 6 USB Recording Interface ($65) | Best Buy via Dealigg | Originally $100
• 2TB Phantom Greendrive with USB 3.0 ($100) | Buy.com via Dealcatcher | Originally $150
• Western Digital NASware 2TB HD ($110) | NCIX via Dealnews | Originally $130
• 3TB Western Digital MyBook USB 3.0 Desktop HD ($135) | Amazon via Reddit | Originally $160
Miscellaneous
• 4 Rolls Packing Tape ($10) | Amazon via Reddit | Originally $20
• Philips Norelco Powertouch Electric Razor ($24) | Amazon via Dealcatcher | Originally $50
• Wenger Swiss Army S16 Knife ($42.49) | Office Depot via Logicbuy | Originally $60 | Use coupon code
• Lego Star Wars R2D2 ($140) | Walmart via Dealnews | Originally $180
• Humanscale Freedom Backless Chair ($262.51) | Office Designs via Logicbuy | Originally $310
• Nostalgia Electrics Kegerator ($367) | Walmart via Dealcatcher | Originally $400
Apple
• 16GB iPad 3 ($425) | B&H | Originally $500
Gaming
• Tiny Troopers ($2.49) | Green Man Gaming via Green Man Gaming | Originally $10
• THQ Humble Bundle | pay what you want | Darksiders, Metro 2033, Red Faction Armageddon, Company of Heroes | Thanks, TacoGringo!
Physical Media
• 20% Off Scholastic Books ($) | Scholastic via | Originally $ | Use coupon code GIFT20
Clothing
• Alden Indy Boots ($336) | J. Crew via Reddit | Originally $480 | Use coupon code WINTER
Dumb TV → Smart TV
• WD Live TV ($70) | Best Buy via Dealcatcher | Originally $100
Laptops
• 14" Dell Inspiron with 32GB Hybrid SSD and Core i7 ($800) | Dell via Logicbuy | Originally $1100
Desktops
Nope.
Tablets
• 16GB iPad 3 ($425) | B&H | Originally $500
• 64GB iPad 3 ($599) | B&H | Originally $700
Screens
• 20" Acer 1600x900 Monitor ($100) | Amazon via Reddit | Originally $150
• 23" Dell 1080p Monitor ($110) | Best Buy via Dealnews | Originally $130
• 32" Sharp Edge-Lit 720p HDTV ($250) | Best Buy via HDTVaholic | Originally $350
• 55" Panasonic Viera IPS HDTV ($888) | Amazon via Reddit | Originally $1000
Portables
• HTC Windows Phone 8X with 2-Year Contract ($0) | Best Buy via Logicbuy | Originally $100
• JBL Tempo Earbuds ($10) | Buy.com via Dealnews | Originally $20
• Sennheiser HD201 Headphones ($15) | Amazon via Reddit | Originally $30
Camera
• Canon Powershot A1000 ($100) | Amazon via Reddit | Originally $150
• Canon WD-H72 72mm 0.8x Wide Angle Converter Lens ($150) | B&H Photo via Dealcatcher | Originally $350
• Canon Speedlite 320EX Flash ($169) | Adorama via Techbargains | Originally $330
• Pentax K-01 Mirrorless Camera Body ($317) | Adorama via Dealnews | Originally $400
• Canon Rebel T4i With Kit Lens ($879) | Adorama via Dealnews | Originally $1050
• Bower 14mm f/2.8 Ultra Wide Angle Manual Focus Lens ($300) | B&H Photo | Nikon - Canon - Others
• Bower 35mm f/1.4 Lens ($379) | B&H Photo | Nikon - Canon - Others
SSDs
• 256GB Samsung 840 SSD ($190) | Tiger Direct via Logicbuy | Originally $230
Apps
iOS
• FreeSkate Extreme ($0) | iTunes via Appshopper | Originally $1 | Also available for iPad
• Flick Golf! ($0) | iTunes via Appshopper | Originally $1 | Also available for iPad
• Django Bounty Hunter ($0) | iTunes via Appshopper | Originally $1
• God of Blades ($1) | iTunes via Appshopper | Originally $3
• Bad Hotel ($1) | iTunes via Appshopper | Originally $2
• Galactic Phantasy ($1) | iTunes via Appshopper | Originally $3
iPad Only
• Rebirth for iPad ($10) | iTunes via Appshopper | Originally $15
Android
• Polara ($0) | Amazon Appstore via Apps-aholic | Originally $3
• Pocket Farm ($1) | Google Play via Apps-aholic | Originally $3
• Accuweather Platinum ($1) | Amazon Appstore via Apps-aholic | Originally $3
• n7Player ($2) | Google Play via Apps-aholic | Originally $3
Mac
• MobileRSS ($0) | Mac App Store via Appshopper | Originally $5
Hobomodo
• Logitech 600 Desktop Microphone ($0) | Newegg via Dealnews | Originally $10 | MIR on page
• Free Neti Pot ($0) | Nasa Flo via Reddit | Originally $5 | Like 'em on Facebook
• Mac Narrator ($0) | Stack Social
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DISCUSSION
Once again I ask, what are good *noise-canceling* headphones for around 300 dollars if not Bose or Beats?