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When it comes to headphones by JBL, Quantum 100 has a unique reputation. It is super affordable and performs perfectly for gamers. The list of the pros and cons of JBL Quantum 100 is quite interesting and you can enjoy moving towards the selection process.
JBL Quantum 100 Entry-Level Gaming Headset Review
JBL Quantum 100 Specifications
Type: Over-ear Gaming Headset | Drivers: Dynamic | Drivers-Size: 40 mm | Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz | Impedance: 32 Ohms | Sensitivity: 96 dB | Weight: 220g | Surround Sound: Virtual – DTS Headphone: X v2.0 and JBL QuantumSURROUND (On PC and Xbox One)
Pros
- Surround sound from QuantumSPHERE 360 head-tracking
- Removable microphone
- Very lightweight
- Multiplatform compatibility (PC, PS4, Xbox One, mobile devices)
Cons
- Poor sound quality – requires EQing
- Very flimsy
Quick Review
JBL Quantum 100 is HARMAN’s first product line designed for gamers who want to fully immerse themselves in the gameplay. According to the manufacturer, JBL QUANTUM combines years of experience in professional audio with new technologies for virtualizing surround and spatial effects, which should have a positive effect in games. The model is made of plastic in its entirety, and the lack of metal parts makes them extremely light and comfortable. The JBL Quantum 100 distinguished itself by its affordable price and surround sound features. The sound is halfway decent out of the box. In terms of technical highlights, the JBL Quantum 100 features 40mm diaphragms and true surround sound, which is pretty impressive for the price.
Package
For just $50, you get a bright looking gaming headset in a cardboard box that is also fairly easy on the eyes.
The front of the box is descriptive as it mentions all the supported platforms including VR headsets, Macs, smartphones, Nintendo Switch, Xbox, Sony PlayStation and PC gaming consoles. In addition, all the supported features of the headset and the nomenclature of the gadget are also mentioned on the front.
Inside the JBL Quantum 100 box, there are some pretty standard items, including an adapter, wires, a data sheet for safety, a microphone (removable) with a protective foam for the windscreen, and a user manual.
Design & Ergonomy
The JBL Quantum gaming headset is very light, comfortable, and made of plastic which makes it super sturdy and lightweight. There are no metal parts in the JBL Quantum 100 that allow it to be resistant to heating up.
As for the shape of the headphones, they are super simple with a very comfy headrest. With top quality materials used for the soft cushioning, your ears are completely covered by the gadget and you can experience superb sound quality in a comfortable manner for hours as test results were very promising.
Although the ear cups can rotate 90 degrees, the headsets cannot fold. You can adjust the height sliders. Additionally, if you are aiming to use the headphones for a long duration, stretching to hours, you won’t have any kind of a headache – thanks to the cushioning made of leatherette with memory foam under the headband.
JBL Quantum 100 headphones have a cable that is Kevlar coated and stretches for a meter. The color of the wire is specially selected to go with the rest of the gadget which gives it a very classy look.
The cable has a traditional 3.5mm jack with connectivity with many audio devices. One thing worth noting is that the jack has a slight bend in its design which improves its sturdiness. The adapter resolves any compatibility issue faced due to the difference in the audio jack.
JBL Quantum 100 Sound Quality
Considering the price tag of the JBL Quantum 100, you will be surprised that after testing the headphones, there were no complaints about the microphone. It performs perfectly fine with the minimum amount of background noise.
Technically speaking, the JBL Quantum 100 are headphones with natural surround sound characteristics due to a 40 mm diaphragm. If you have an interest in gaming and watching movies or listening to music, the JBL Quantum 100 headphones can be your best companion hands down.
Music
Talking strictly about the sound quality of JBL Quantum 100 as gaming headphones, the results are pretty promising. If you observe closely, most of the gaming headphones have their bass emphasized which results in the sounds of footsteps being overridden or dulled down.
This is not a case in JBL Quantum 100 because the sound quality is natural and very neutral. So if you are in a fierce fight on a game, you can still enjoy the sounds of a vehicle passing by or the fire cracking and experience an amazing sound quality in the game.
Gaming
These headphones do work pretty nice for movies and music as well. However, you need to keep one fact in mind that they were originally intended for gaming. So you might experience a high frequency going flat in your music or during a movie.
But if you assess the headphones overall, the JBL Quantum 100 are not bad for movies and music lovers. However, if you are a music composer, you might want to consider other options as well.
Conclusion
From an overall perspective, the JBL Quantum 100 are the best headphones you can buy for just 50 bucks. They look good, they are super strong and come with a minimalistic design that makes them very easy to use.
Their comfort level is also up to the mark, making them a very fine choice for gamers and movie lovers. Out of all the headphones that have been tested, this pair has set the bar very high for any future headphones undergoing a performance test.
Pros
- Surround sound from QuantumSPHERE 360 head-tracking
- Removable microphone
- Very lightweight
- Multiplatform compatibility (PC, PS4, Xbox One, mobile devices)
Cons
- Poor sound quality – requires EQing
- Very flimsy