JVC "Gaming" Headphones (Wired or Wireless)

  • We got these cheap because ‘gaming’ headphones are too niche
  • But here’s the trick: these are just headphones…for gaming or anything else on your computer
  • Wireless works via included USB-A transmitter (or you can use them wired, too)
  • The mic easily comes off (and can go back on)
  • Put another way, get a deal because of their bad marketing and you’re the one’s gaming them!
  • Sorry not sorry.
  • Can they make a margarita: No, but can you can use the microphone to stir a marg? Also no.
see more product specs

Gaming Not Required

What we have today are wired or wireless gaming headphones for $15 and $25. But, like, they don’t have to be gaming headphones. More on that in a minute.

First, picture this:

The situation? Bottom of the ninth, the home team down two-zero. The opposing starter was dominant, as was the set-up man. Now, the closer is in, and after retiring the first two batters, he’s let up a single and walked a guy. Finally some momentum! And coming to the plate, the young all-star slugger. A walk loads 'em up. Another single could score a run. A double could clear the bases and tie the game, give the hitter after him a shot to play hero. Instead, what does he do? He swings hard, three times, each one strong, aiming for the stands, each one missing the ball. So, instead of taking the lead, he strikes out and squanders the team’s only bit of hope.

Why create this elaborate hypothetical? Because we’re watching too much baseball? Yes, probably. But also, because it’s the perfect metaphor for a certain approach to marketing, one that often lands products here on our site: the home run swing, an attempt to differentiate a product from all the other products in a given category by selling directly to a very specific group of people, thus inviting the extra scrutiny of those within that group while turning off all outside of it.

That’s what we have here.

JVC decided to market these as ‘gaming headphones’ and originally sold them for, get this, $130 (though they spent most of their time on Amazon at around 70ish bucks). Already, mistakes have been made. You can accuse the gaming community of many things, but you would never say they lack diligence or fastidiousness. In other words, they’re not just going to see the word ‘gaming’ on the packaging and be like, “Finally, a product for ME!” No, they’re going to assess the shit out of those things and if they don’t meet their standards, they’re going to let everyone who will listen know.

And the gamers who gave these things so-so reviews were probably right too. As in: they are not $130 premium gaming headphones. But for $15, are they good enough headphones to hop on a quick call or listen to some music while you get work done? Absolutely. And by the way, you can take the microphone off. So they really are just headphones.

TL;DR: JVC tried to make gaming headphones but failed, and now you get to game them by buying these at a stupidly steep discount.

So go ahead: buy the headphones, please.

So far today...

  • 102900 of you visited.
  • 34% on a phone, 1% on a tablet.
  • 3010 clicked meh
  • on this deal.

And you bought...

  • 753 of these.
  • Sold out at 4:14pm ET (see more)
  • That’s $18571 total.
  • (including shipping)

Who's buying this crap?

Which items are you buying?