So, JBL has been making some noise in the gaming world with its Quantum brand of headphones and microphones. The latest addition to their lineup is the JBL Quantum 910 Wireless gaming headset. Priced at $499.95, this bad boy promises to have all the features a gamer could want and then some. I’m talking dual mode wireless, active noise cancellation, 360 spatial audio and of course, RGB lighting.
After a few weeks using the JBL Quantum 910 for gaming, video calls, music listening, I am left wondering, is it really worth the hefty price tag?
Design and Comfort:
When I first unboxed the Quantum 910, I couldn’t help but notice its size and weight. This thing is huge! It definitely has that gamer aesthetic going on. It weighs in at a hefty 420g, which is quite a bit more than the Steelseries Arctis Nova Pro at 340g. But hey, at least it’s comfortable. The cushioned headband does a great job of distributing the weight and the ear cups have plush memory foam cushions that can swallow even the biggest ears. Oh, and did I mention the RGB lighting? It’s pretty cool, although most people won’t even see it unless you’re streaming.
Controls-wise, the ear cups are pretty straightforward. The right cup has the power switch that doubles as a Bluetooth pairing button, while the left cup has the volume dial, chat mix dial, noise cancelling button, mic mute button, and even a 3.5mm and USB-C port for charging. Speaking of the mic, it’s not detachable, which makes the already bulky headset look even bulkier. It’s a bit of a downside, but hey, at least it’s easy to use—just flip it down to talk and flip it up to mute.
Overall, the JBL Quantum 910 has a distinctive design that’s perfect for streamers or anyone who wants to show off. But if you’re looking for something more subtle, you might want to check out other options like the Arctis Nova Pro or Master & Dynamic MG20.
Connectivity and Battery:
The Quantum 910 has got you covered when it comes to connectivity. You can go wireless with the 2.4GHz USB Type-C dongle, which is pretty handy. It even comes with a USB-A adapter, so you can use it with devices that don’t have USB-C ports. The headset is compatible with Windows PCs, PlayStation 4/5, Nintendo Switch, and Mac. But wait, if you’re an Xbox user, you’ll need to get the Xbox-branded version of the Quantum 910. It’s a bit annoying that manufacturers do this, but hey, they gotta do what they gotta do.
If you’re feeling fancy, you can also connect via Bluetooth 5.2 to your compatible devices. And get this, you can actually use both the 2.4GHz and Bluetooth connections at the same time. Pretty cool, right? Just remember that if you’re connected to your smartphone, incoming calls will take priority. The Quantum 910 also supports wired connections with a USB cable or a 3.5mm cable for devices that don’t support wireless. Oh, and here’s a neat trick: connecting to a Windows PC via USB cable gives you Hi-res audio. Audiophiles, rejoice!
Now, let’s talk battery life. The Quantum 910 claims to offer up to 39 hours of music listening over Bluetooth with the lights and ANC turned off. I didn’t really test it like that, but I can tell you that with everything on, you can expect around 24-28 hours of battery life, which is pretty darn good for a gaming headset. And the best part? You can play and charge at the same time. Talk about convenience. Just keep in mind that if you want to use the active noise cancellation, the headset needs to be turned on even when connected via USB cable.
Sound and Performance:
When it comes to gaming headsets, good audio is crucial. So how does the Quantum 910 stack up? Well, it’s not bad, but it’s nothing to write home about either. The headset boasts powerful, punchy bass, a wide soundstage, and excellent channel separation, thanks to the improved 50mm neodymium drivers tuned by JBL’s audio experts. But here’s the thing—I’ve tested some other headsets, like the $750 Arctis Nova Pro and the $350 Beyerdyamic DT 900 Pro X, and I have to say, the Quantum 910 falls a bit short in comparison.
Don’t get me wrong, the audio quality is good overall. But sometimes the bass gets a bit too overpowering and harsh, especially in games and music. Luckily, you can tweak the EQ settings to make it more manageable. Now, let’s talk about the fancy-sounding QuantumSphere 360 audio feature. To be honest, it’s not that impressive.
It does make the sound feel more airy and distant, but upon closer listening, it’s just some trickery with the audio frequencies. In fact, sometimes it even makes certain tracks and background voices disappear completely, which can be a bit disorienting. So, if you’re a fan of virtual surround sound, you’re better off using the DTS Headphone X, which sounds way better than the QuantumSphere. Trust me on this one.
Now, here’s a funny thing—the Quantum 910 has this head tracking feature that’s supposed to adjust the audio based on your head movements. It’s a cool idea, but the execution falls a bit flat. It’s not the best implementation I’ve seen, to be honest.
On the PlayStation 5, the Quantum 910 supports Sony’s native 360 spatial audio, which actually sounds pretty good. But let’s be real, Sony’s implementation works well on almost any headset. You can use the JBL QuantumENGINE software to customize the number and distance of virtual speakers, and while the headset does a decent job with positioning and directionality, I found that games on PC generally sounded worse when using the QuantumSphere 360 feature.
Active Noise Cancellation and Microphone:
Okay, so the Quantum 910 has active noise cancellation (ANC), but don’t expect it to be as good as the likes of Sony’s WH-1000XM4. It’s more like a mild version of ANC that can dull the whine of your PC fans, AC units, or laundry machine. It’s not gonna save you on a noisy flight, that’s for sure. But hey, if you just want some peace and quiet, it’ll do the trick.
Just keep in mind that using ANC will drain your battery faster, so it’s a trade-off. Oh, and the ear cups themselves provide some passive noise cancellation, which is always a plus. There’s a handy toggle on the left ear cup to quickly turn ANC on or off without any fuss.
Now, let’s talk about the microphone. It’s got some limited echo and noise suppression, so your chats will be clear and free from distracting ambient sounds. The audio quality is pretty clear, although it does sound a bit compressed and digital. I wouldn’t recommend using it for streaming, but it works perfectly fine for Discord or in-game chat. You can even adjust the balance between game and chat audio with a dedicated dial on the left ear cup.
One thing to note is that if you want to use the Quantum 910 with your smartphone, you’ll have to stick with the boom mic. Yeah, it’s not detachable, so you might look a bit silly walking around with it. But hey, at least the audio quality remains the same. So, if you’re on the go and want to use the headset with your phone, be prepared to embrace your inner dork.
Verdict:
So, there you have it—the JBL Quantum 910 Wireless gaming headset. It’s a solid headset with great comfort, good battery life, and decent audio. The RGB lighting is a nice touch for streamers who want to look cool. But here’s the thing—it doesn’t really bring anything new to the table. There are so many fantastic gaming headsets out there, and the Quantum 910 doesn’t offer any groundbreaking features, innovative design elements, or exceptional sound quality.
It doesn’t have the DAC or fancy battery swap system like the SteelSeries, the sleek style of the Astro A30, or the superior sound of the EPOS H3 Pro. The QuantumSOUND features are just okay, and some of them feel like gimmicks. I mean, who’s really gonna use the head tracking feature?
Let’s face it—the Quantum 910 is a good headset, but it’s not worth the steep price tag. With so many excellent alternatives available, it’s hard to justify spending that much money on it.
JBL Quantum 910 Wireless was provided by JBL Australia for the purpose of this review
