JBL Quantum 100 – Wired Over-Ear Gaming Headphones – Black, Large

I’m not a fan of gaming headsets that come with their own software, have annoying bright lights, 70 mile long cables that get tangled up, and especially those little midway connectors that can control volume and come unplugged if you tug on the cable by accident. I’m happy to say this is a minimalist gaming headset that fits exactly what my needs are.

The headset is comfortable (it is slightly tight like the other reviews said, but I personally prefer that type of fit), the microphone sounds surprisingly good and clear for the price (I have a deeper voice and people noted how much deeper my voice sounded compared to my old headset) and can bend and stay in place where you need it. You just need to buy a $6 TRRS to dual TRS headphone/mic splitter if your computer has separate headphone/mic ports. (I just bought the one that was listed as frequently bought together and it worked fine.)

I can see what people are saying about the plastic build quality being susceptible to cracking, as I’ve done this by accident with an old headset, but if you don’t rip your headphones off your head with one hand like an animal you shouldn’t have a problem.

The audio quality of the headphones is totally acceptable for the price range. Yes it is a little boomy in the low mids, but if you just EQ your audio output that can be reduced and molded to your preference anyway, and the result is a very nice and punchy bass sound. I see reviews that say the sound is better on xyz headphones, but those other brands being compared to are in the $100 range at least. Either way, if you have the expectation of audiophile-tier sound quality, then why would you get a gaming headset? The only reason to get a gaming headset is to avoid the hassle/cost of setting up a separate mic and headphones so it can be all in one, knowing that you are sacrificing audio quality for the convenience. A mic small enough to attach to a headset will never come close to a LDC mic.

For my money, a lower tier headset is totally fine for everyday gaming and casual music listening. For $30, I don’t really know what more I could want from this product, other than maybe it coming with the TRRS to dual TRS headphone/mic splitter for my laptop’s inputs. I might even buy an extra pair in case these ever go out of stock because most headsets are migrating towards bulkier and RGB laden designs I don’t enjoy, and it’s getting harder to find headsets that are lightweight and minimalist in their design like these are.

Initially I had troubles getting Discord to recognize the mic until I realized my Realtek Audio Manager needed to manually set this as a default mic (Go to Microphone -> Set Default Device in Realtek), and I had to uncheck the awful noise suppression setting (Not the Discord one, the Realtek one) to get the full mic quality. This is also specific issues to my computer’s software though and in no way reflects the product’s quality, I just figured anyone else with this same problem might want the info.

Pretty good headphones, over ear is comfy. The flexible mic boom might become a point of breakage, as I move it a lot (don’t like it in my eye-line when not in use, already have glasses there!). Sound is good, as far as I can tell. I just work, listen to streaming music and movies, and play quiet games; I’m no connoisseur.

My only complaint is the sturdy cord rubs on me and transmits that sound through the plastic. I have to pin it somewhere to get it to really stop. I don’t want to use wireless, so it would be great if they found a solution to that.

I got these to replace a wireless set my boss bought for us at work. The wireless headset’s battery life was just abysmal. These feel really well made, cover my ears well, are comfortable, block almost all outside noise and have great audio. For some reason my computer didn’t want to recognize them such that the microphone wouldn’t work, but after rebooting the computer I got it to work. The computer still doesn’t recognize them as JBL speakers (insists they’re RealTek headphones), but whatever – the reboot got the mic working. Also, I wish the cord was longer.

I have now had my headphones (White) for a full year and a half – I bought them in April 2021, and they still work great. I have a smaller head, and the lowest size setting actually fits, so I suppose that means they run a little bit small but that’s exactly what I need. As no other headphones fit me on their smallest setting, I have been extremely impressed of the quality of my (on-sale) $30 mic’d headphones.

– Sound quality is superior for the price, very balanced and of good quality. I have been impressed, and after a year nothing has deteriorated in sound quality. I don’t know the right word, but I’m able to get the surround-sound that is needed for first-person shooter games. I know where my enemies are coming from! It’s not something I expected from this headset, but I was very pleasantly surprised!

– The one minus here is that the mike is a little bit on the quiet side, and I have to manually turn myself up in Discord/Zoom/Steam. But after that, it’s a very clear sound without muffling and usually only picks up my voice. It is a detachable mike, but I’ve detached and reattached it several times, bent and unbent the mike angle, and it still seems durable with zero break-down. I keep it unattached for the most part and have yet to lose it.

– The headset itself is very, very comfortable. I can wear it for hours on end without issues or headaches. It is made of a cheaper light-weight plastic, but it’s also durable enough to have lasted well over a year – and going! The swivel of the ears also helps with comfort and for “sealing” in the sound. So unless the *look* of quality is what you’re going for, the light-weight plastic is actually a plus for comfort at a $30 price tag.

– The cord is shorter, but if your PC is next to your desk, it won’t be an issue.

For a fitting pair of headphones with gaming-level quality, accurate sound positioning for games like Halo and Apex (among others), quality sound and comfort, detachable microphone, and a $30 price tag, these are far superior to anything I have ever gotten in the past. If a quieter mike and short cord aren’t issues for you, and you’re a gamer/student like me looking for quality on a really small budget, these may be the best headphones out there.

JBL Quantum 100 Gaming Headset: A Solid Budget-Friendly Choice

One drawback, aside from the lack of noise canceling, is that the headset might not be the best choice for music listening. In noisy environments, it may not provide the optimal experience. Additionally, its sound profile is tailored more towards directional audio and in-game effects, rather than offering a balanced or immersive music playback.

The JBL Quantum 100 gaming headset proves to be an excellent option for those seeking a budget-friendly solution for gaming. It’s particularly well-suited for casual gamers who enjoy relaxing gameplay, chatting with friends, or even diving into games like Valorant—though I wouldn’t recommend it for high-stakes competitive play.

The sound quality of this headset is quite impressive for its price. While it doesn’t feature active noise canceling, it still delivers immersive audio that lets you catch nearly every detail in your game. The audio experience is engaging and satisfying, enhancing your overall gaming enjoyment.

Another highlight is the detachable boom mic. I’ve had several people inquire about the mic I’m using, and they were surprised by its clarity. Although I use the Voicemeter app to further enhance my voice quality, the Quantum 100 performs admirably both with and without additional voice enhancement tools.

In terms of build quality, I’d rate the Quantum 100 an 8/10. While it doesn’t match the comfort of more expensive models, it’s still a solid performer in the budget category. The adjustable headband and plush ear cushions offer a comfortable fit, and the headset is lightweight, making it easy to wear for extended sessions.

Overall, the JBL Quantum 100 delivers great value for its price. It combines good sound quality, a clear mic, and a comfortable design, making it a reliable choice for gamers on a budget.