JBL Quantum 100N – Hardware Review
It hasn’t been that long since we took a closer look at one of JBL’s more premium products, the Tour Pro 3, which proved to be very much worth the investment. We loved the design, the additional features, and of course, the overall sound quality and comfort. Now, we are going back to our gaming roots by taking a look at one of JBL’s more dedicated gaming products, the Quantum 100N. This budget-friendly device directs itself toward Nintendo Switch gamers, which was clear from the get-go when looking at the quirky but interesting design.
Design
A lot of JBL’s hardware we have reviewed in the past often looked quite classy and sophisticated, and perfectly suited for day-to-day usage or professional means. The Quantum 100N still looks good, especially considering its price range, but it stands out just a bit more. The headset opts for the Switch’s iconic red and blue color scheme, and it actually looks quite spiffy. While this isn’t officially licensed Switch hardware, it does look like what Nintendo should have created years ago. The red and blue ear cups look great, and the sides of the headband also match the colors. The central part of the headband is black, and it has padding on the inside. The JBL logo is visible on the exterior of each of the ear cups, albeit in a fairly subtle way. The detachable microphone is also black and doesn’t stand out too much. Outside of a few different textures and indentations, the headset doesn’t have many additional bells and whistles.
Comfort
In terms of comfort, all the basics are present. You’ll have a padded headband and memory foam ear cushions. The device is an over-ear headset, meaning your ears won’t get squished during your intense online Splatoon battles or when creating the perfect island on Animal Crossing: New Horizons. The ear cushions don’t let that much outside noise seep through, allowing you to enjoy your games in your own private bubble. The faux leather-like material was also pleasant to the touch, providing us with an additional layer of comfort. The detachable microphone is a nice additional feature, as most budget-friendly devices don’t have this option. The microphone arm is flexible and the mic itself has a foam cap.
With a cable length of only 1.2m, it was a bit harder to move around freely. But when plugged into a Switch in handheld mode, or other mobile devices, you’ll have ample room to game comfortably. A detachable cable would have perhaps been nice, as it would have allowed you to upgrade the device with a longer cable if necessary.
Overview
JBL’s Quantum 100N is a plug-and-play device with very straightforward features. The device uses a traditional 3.5mm plug, making it compatible with a lot of current devices. Of course, it’s clear that the device directs itself more toward Switch gamers, but it’s also compatible with PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Android, VR headsets, and so on. With the short cable length, it’s probably more suitable for a handheld device, or if you can plug in the device in your controller, however.
In terms of functions, the Quantum 100N offers the basics, which is still more than many other devices in the same price range. Outside of the detachable microphone, you also have a (un)mute button and a volume dial on the left ear cup. These are placed in an easy-to-reach position, and thanks to their size and shape, they are also easy to distinguish from each other. The mute button provides great feedback, making it easy to recognize when the microphone is muted.
Budget-friendly headsets aren’t always the best when it comes to sound quality, but the Quantum 100N did manage to surprise us. All in all, the sound quality is crystal clear, we received great audio feedback during our gaming sessions, and even the microphone picked up our voice quite clearly. We did notice the bass tones aren’t that deep, but that’s also not too uncommon for more affordable headsets. Even so, the sound properly popped when playing more intense games, while we were also able to easily enjoy our favorite tunes when simply listening to music on our mobile devices.
Conclusion
JBL’s Quantum 100N offers all the basics without too many bells and whistles. For its budget-friendly price tag, you’ll get a good-looking device that offers quite a bit of comfort and decent sound quality. We enjoyed using the headset for our mobile gaming sessions, and even listening to our favorite tunes proved to be quite entertaining. In this price range, you won’t find many headsets that offer the same quality experience. Our only minor remark is that we wished the cable was just a bit longer.
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