JBL QUANTUM 100 & 200 Headset Review

A while back, I did a review for the JBL Quantum 600 wireless headset, a headset that changed my mind completely on wireless headsets, and a unit that has become my go-to headset for all my online PC listening needs. JBL liked the review so much that they issued me a challenge: To review their two baseline models, the JBL Quantum 100 and JBL Quantum 200 series headsets, and see if they are also up to the high level of quality that JBL is known for in the audio world.

Product Name: JBL Quantum 100 / JBL Quantum 200
Product Type: Headset
Manufacturer: JBL
Compatible With: PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, Mac, Mobile & VR
Available: Now
Price: AUD$59 / AUD$89

Before I get into the actual review, I’m going to give all those audio-loving technical people their fix of all the numbers and words that they love to hear about. I’ll explain what these mean to the rest of us in the next couple of sections.

Technical Specifics

Straight out the gate, I’m going to state the JBL does deliver some decent level audio across both the 100 and 200 series of headsets. JBL is known for quality audio products in the entertainment industry and their move into the home audio headset market comes with that same quality. The main thing here is the difference between the two. The JBL Quantum 100 headset gives nice clear audio in both chat and games, the JBL Quantum 200 headset is slightly clearer since it only gives a small boost to the audio quality.

Both JBL Quantum headsets, when only using one mode of either gaming or chatting, deliver nice crisp audio without anything dropping or getting faded. When in-game, you get the usual surround sound experience that most headsets give these days. You can hear the footsteps of an approaching enemy from behind in the manner where you know exactly where they are coming from.

When listening to music, this is where the JBL quality shines the most. As JBL is mostly used in the entertainment industry, you know that when that quality moves into the home entertainment space, that the music is going to sound amazing. If you’re not using JBL products to listen to your music at home, then you are missing out on some of the best sounds available.

I’ll admit that these products aren’t exactly perfect, especially coming from the FAR superior JBL Quantum 600 Wireless Headset. Going back to the 100 and 200 series of headsets is a major downgrade in quality, as the range isn’t as finely tuned as it is with the 600 series. I noticed that the sound was a lot more tinny and low compared to the 600 series, and the audio that came from the microphones wasn’t on the same level as the 600 series and the Blue Yeti that I use for podcasts.

However, when it comes to console gaming, the JBL Quantum 100 and 200 series are pretty decent headsets, delivering the standard JBL quality that the company is known for. Given that you are only using the basic level 3.5mm headphone audio jack that is commonplace in all audio products, it’s surprising that the decoding process needed to deliver surround sound via the headphone jack in the PlayStation 4 and Xbox Series X controllers that I tried these units with worked that well.

I will admit that the microphones here are probably the downside to the product, as they are just not up to the level that I’d use for even in-game chat. For some reason, the microphones work as either being too sensitive to things like breathing, but at the same time, you need to be so close to the microphone in order to be heard properly that it enables this problem.

The JBL Quantum 100 and 200 series of headsets are a prime example of “you get what you pay for” when it comes to audio quality. As these are the two cheapest models in the JBL Quantum range, you’re not going to get the highest level of clean sound as you would if you buy the JBL Quantum 600, 800 or ONE series of headsets. If you’re looking for something that gives you the basic experience for things like console gaming, then I’d recommend these models over other brands I have recently reviewed, as JBL does try to give you some value for the money you pay. However, if you want the best that JBL has to offer, then these two are not the units for you.

Review Disclosure Statement: JBL Quantum 100 & JBL Quantum 200 Headsets were provided to us by JBL for review purposes. For more information on how we conduct and handle reviews here, please visit our Review Guideline/Scoring Policy for more info. Thank you

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