In a sea of gaming headsets that target a variety of tastes, preferences, and platforms, the JBL Quantum One seeks to deliver quality audio for almost any gamer. The headset is pricier than most but at its heart, the JBL Quantum One sings when paired with a PC but it is fully capable of meeting the needs of console gamers as well.
The JBL Quantum One boasts a stylish design that pairs well with theRGB lighting of any top tier gaming setup. Using the QuantumEngine, gamers can customize the color scheme of their headset to be as bold or minimalist as they like. It doesn’t have any bearing on the audio or the feature set, but for those gamers looking for headset with a little more flash the Quantum One can deliver in spades.
Comfort-wise, the JBL Quantum One fits snug over the ears and head and doesn’t introduce any extra strain or tension. They are as comfortable putting on as they are hours into a gameplay session and there was no noticeable wear or tear in our time testing them. The ear cups should accommodate any gamer and the adjustable headbad has a comfortable cushion that doesn’t press down on the top of your head.
At this point, though, most high-end gaming headsets are comfortable, but how that comfort mixes with the audio is important. The JBL Quantum One’s ear cups help create a nice seal that, combined with the headset’s active noise canceling technology, can fully immerse players in any game. It’s impressive how much of a difference popping on the headset and dialing in the audio settings can make.
7.1 Audio sounds crisp and clean on the JBL Quantum One, which isn’t surprising given JBL’s experience with audio products. It’s a headset that makes games sound incredible regardless of if on PC or PS4 or Xbox One, and it’s really easy to switch between the three. The included microphone is just as solid without any crackle or unnecessary hiss. It might be a mute point to say that a $299 gaming headset delivers flawless sound and output, but it’s important to highlight that quality in the Quantum One all the same.
That being said, the JBL Quantum One shines brightest when paired with a PC. With an included USB mixer, the JBL Quantum One can pack a significant punch that most of the lower end gaming headsets cannot. On top of that, gamers can use the QuantumEngine to dial in the settings that they want, from rich bass to sharp sound effects. For audiophiles this is the type of diverse options that players will want, but the casual consumer won’t need to worry that they are missing out either. The JBL Quantum One headset delivers impressive sound quality right out of the box.
In addition to hitting the important audio tests, the JBL Quantum One also takes things a step further in two key ways. First, the QuantumSphere 360 technology combines head-tracking in the headset to allow games to deliver accurate spatial audio. It’s still a technology that needs some fine-tuning but when it works, being able to hear exactly where a noise is coming from deepens that immersion. Horror fans, in particular, are going to have a lot of fun with this tech.
And for those who might not be interested in the gimmicks, the JBL Quantum One still has some high-quality spatial audio that elevates games with top tier sound design. Again, the only drawback is that it isn’t always as accurate, but that might not be a fault of the headset so much as the game. Also, the spatial tech stands out a lot more on PC than it does on console.
JBL’s Quantum One gaming headset features a few bells and whistles that some might consider superfluous. But its ability to immerse the player through its audio reproduction makes it an easy recommendation. PC players will see the benefits of the headset more than console players, but it’s no slouch in any category. If the budget will allow, the JBL Quantum One is a gaming headset worth taking into the next-gen.
