Back in January, we met with JBL at CES and talked about their new push into the gaming side of audio and what makes them different than the competition. Everything we experienced at that time was great but now we finally have one of the headsets in our hands. The JBL Quantum One is the flagship headset of JBL’s gaming audio line and it uses the JBL Quantum software to deliver a directional sound experience unlike none other.
Build Quality
With the Quantum One headset being the flagship model of the Quantum line, you can expect a high-quality build. The earcups and overall cushioning are wrapped in leather. The cushioning itself seems to be made of a really soft memory foam type material. All the cables are wrapped in a nylon material that ensures that cables are not frayed. The microphone for the headset can be removed and is made of a more flexible plastic material that allows the placement of the microphone to be changed. The rest of the build is made from high-quality hard plastic. Outside of the cables and microphones, no other components can be removed from the device. The earcups and head padding cannot be replaced but the quality is high enough that all the parts should last the life of the product.
Sound and Software
Of course, the sound is the most important part of a headset. JBL has a deep history when it comes to audio. There are years of experience when it comes to headphones and speaker technologies. When we talked to JBL during CES in January, they told us that the Quantum One headset was created with the idea of giving players a competitive edge. The company has worked closely with eSports arenas and teams to fine-tune the technology in the headset and software. The head tracking technology is something that hasn’t been seen yet when it comes to gaming headsets. Once you center yourself using the calibration button, when you turn your head, you can zero in on different sounds within the game that is being played. Within the Quantum software, every aspect of how you hear sounds can be edited. For many, high base levels may not be the best for a first-person shooter. That can be turned down to suit the player’s needs.
Along with the customization of audio, the JBL Quantum software also allows users to customize the lighting that is displayed on the headset itself. If you are running a set up that is full of RGB lighting, you can set your headset to match your layout. If you are running a setup that is more minimalistic, you have the ability to turn off the lights completely. On PC, the headset and software have the ability to provide updates and new functionality in the future.
For their first entry into the gaming market, JBL has done a fantastic job. The entire line of headsets and the speaker is worth taking a look at. There is some room for improvement but not as much as some newcomers to the market. As the official partner to the 100 Thieves eSports teams, you can plan to see the JBL name a lot.
The Quantum line of devices are available for purchase now on the JBL site. The headsets range from 59.95 up to 299.95 USD.
