JBL has finally joined the gaming headphones party and they’re not releasing just one model. In fact, the are releasing 7 models. That right, SEVEN different types of gaming headphones designed exclusively for gamers, giving options for both casual and competitive gamers. There is even a gaming speaker called the JBL Quantum Duo, released alongside.
In this post, I’ll be focusing on the JBL Quantum 400 Gaming Headphones, which is somewhat in the mid-tier of seven models that JBL has released. The JBL Quantum 400 headphones retails for S$149, which is pretty affordable for gaming headphones that provides surround sound.
Unboxing
Unboxing the JBL Quantum 400, you’ll find the following:
- JBL Quantum 400 headphones
- 3.5mm audio cable (1.2 m)
- Type-C to Type-A Cable (3 m)
- User guide
I really appreciate the top quality braided cables that JBL provided in the JBL Quantum 400 package.
Build quality and design
The JBL Quantum 400 headphones are made mostly of plastic. The ear cups have a slight gloss finish, and everything else has a nice matte finish. The headband is pretty flexible and the underside is covered with soft rubberised textured material. The headphones are also pretty light, buttons are tactile, and the dials are smooth and responsive. Overall, the JBL Quantum 400 is a well built headphones.
The design as you can tell, is designed for gamers especially with the JBL logo being lighted up when you’re connected. There are subtle orange accents, which is JBL’s color, reflected on the “L” and “R” labels, and wires.
Buttons and dials
All the buttons and dials are located on the left ear cup. You one button for muting, and two dials to control volume, and game-chat balance. The controls are easy to reach and adjust.
Connectivity
You can connect the JBL Quantum 400 headphones via USB or the 3.5mm headphone jack.
Wireless option is not available on the JBL Quantum 400. If you seek a wireless option, the Quantum 600 is the next available option at S$70 more.
Comfort
The headphones are lightweight so they do not feel heavy on your head. The clamping pressure is also just right. And as for the ear cushions, JBL used PU leather memory foam to level up the comfort you get on these. The ear cushions are plush and soft, which are really comfortable when wearing for extended periods.
JBL QuantumSurround Sound
The main selling point of JBL’s new Quantum series is what JBL dubs the QuantumSurround. The QuantumSurround adds overhead channels to give you a sense of spatial awareness when you’re gaming.
You can immediately feel the difference when you tun on the QuantumSurround sound. The audio is no longer pushed from the left and right of you ears, and instead the audio is further away and feels like it is coming all around you – like you’re sitting in a room with surround speakers. And yes, this effect is very similar to Super X-FI on the Creative SXFI Theatre. The concept is similar, which is creating that spatial audio.
If this is your first time trying out this kind of technology, you might be taken aback and may prefer the regular 2-channel headphone sound. But like the Creative SXFI Theatre, you do have to take some time to adjust and appreciate the experience.
Do note that the JBL QuantumSurround sound can only be toggled on if you are connected via USB and only if you have the JBL Quantum Engine software installed. If you are using the headphones through 3.5mm jack to your PS4 controller for example, you won’t get to enjoy the Quantum Surround sound.
Gaming
As sound you are hearing through the QuantumSurround has greater audio space, it becomes really useful for gaming, especially first person shooter games. I played Call of Duty Warzone, with the Quantum Sound turned on and off – and the difference is appalling. The game audio is opened up by a lot, where there is a sense of space and depth in the sounds you hear.
Without the QuantumSurround, gunfires coming from the left just seems to flood my ear with sound. But with the QuantumSurround turned on, gunfire coming from the left feels more realistic, taking up a portion of the audio space in my head instead of the entire left channel. The loudness of the gunfires is more distinguishable, allowing me to discern how far are the shots.
The QuantumSurround really has a difference in FPS games where sounds play a key part of your play. You are better able to hear and locate sounds because of the wider audio space you have.
Movies
Even though the JBL QuantumSurround feature was designed for gamers, it is also very useful and effective when watching movies with 7.1 audio. Movies sound more like you’re in a cinema as the sounds comes all around you. Conversations and voices are more well distributed and the overall soundstage is wider and more immersive.
DTS X v2.0
The JBL Quantum 400 also comes equipped with DTS headphone:X v2.0, which itself does a pretty good job in creating an immersive audio stage. The key difference between DTS and QuantumSurround is the wider soundstage on the latter. Also, the QuantumSurround is highly customisable, instead of the one-size-fits-all output from DTS.
QuantumSurround vs Super X-FI
Since we’re already comparing them, might as well give you guys some thoughts on both 3D audio processing software. If you’re mainly going to be using your headphones for gaming, the JBL QuantumSurround does a better job in games as the soundstage and audio space is more expansive compared to Super X-FI, and has greater accuracy in pinpointing certain audio cues. I do suspect this is because Super X-FI was tuned for movies and so it is less effective in games. Also, I believe the JBL Quantum Sound Signature is also tuned in a way that it picks up audio cues such as explosions or footsteps meant for gaming.
But if you are using your headphones more for movies or even music, then the Super X-FI does a better job. Sounds seem to be able to come out from more angles, ie. the back of your head, compared to the QuantumSurround, which is still pretty impressive in its own regard.
JBL Quantum Engine Software
The magic of the QuantumSurround comes from the QuantumEngine software. Do note that the QuantumEngine software is only available for Windows (which makes sense since most games only work on Windows).
You will truly unlock the full potential of the JBL Quantum 400 with this software installed, so download it here.
In the JBL Quantum Engine Software, you’ll be able to customise user profiles, equaliser, lighting effects, spatial sound, microphone and update the system of your headphones.
Below are some videos of navigating the UI and showing you guys the features of the software.
‘Dystopia’ lighting effect ‘Sniper’ lighting effect
‘Sound is Survival’ lighting effect ‘Spectrum’ lighting effect
You can customise lighting effects to quite a large extent. From choosing, colors, animation, tempo – you can really customise it to your heart’s extent.
Finally, after making all these custom settings – you can consolidate them into a custom user profile.
Microphone quality
The microphone on the JBL Quantum 400 headphones has a really nifty easy mute feature. Once you flip the boom mic down, the microphone automatically mutes. If you don’t want that, you still use the mute button. There is also the mechanical chat wheel that allows you find a good balance between game audio and chat audio.
As for microphone quality, JBL uses directional microphones to zero in on your voice. The quality of the microphone is pretty decent. It is not the best I’ve used, but it gets the work done.
I wished the microphone was detachable, but I guess that feature is reserved for the premium tier models.
Conclusion
For S$149, the JBL Quantum 400 offers a great amount of value to level up your gaming experience. You can get to experience 3D sound or surround sound technology at a price point of a hundred dollars is a pretty good deal. Other than for gaming, you can use the JBL Quantum 400 for watching movies.
However, do remember that the awesome QuantumSurround feature can only be toggled on when you are using it on a Windows computer since it requires the Quantum Engine software. If you’re using it via the 3.5mm jack, the Quantum Sound Signature is tuned differently from other headphones so this allows you to hear more details from the game, be it voices or loud explosions.
Where to buy
The JBL Quantum 400 gaming headphones is now available to purchase exclusively on JBL Lazada Store for S$149. Get it now during JBL’s promotional launch, and you get to apply a S$6 voucher and receive a FREE gaming mousepad bundled with the JBL Quantum 400 headphones.