These headphones have a somewhat bass-heavy sound profile that should be pleasing if you like an extra bit of thump and kick in your favorite action games.
JBL Quantum 400 Review
If a console is your preferred system, you play via audio cable, but in that case, the light-up logo will be turned off. Fortunately, JBL has found a good sound here in the factory, and it works very well for gaming! The Quantum 400 headset is particularly strong in the bass and low mids – a good choice for gaming. The Quantum 400 are very comfortable to wear thanks to their lightweight headband and tight-fitting but non-pressing memory foam ear pads.
What you do hear, however, when QuantumSURROUND is activated: instead of Stereo Left/Right, sound is suddenly played back from all directions and an acoustic space opens up. But apparently this room is made of tin, because rain (with activated QuantumSURROUND) sounds like high-frequency noise, speech sounds as if an effect had been put on it and background noise (especially in the high-frequency range) seems unnatural. So if it is important to be able to hear your opponent or teammates’ positions clearly, the dts mode is the best choice. JBL does without noise-cancelling or filters here, which is not a bad thing, because with this microphone the sound comes through the other end of the line well. This is done by means of a button on the left earpiece or using the software, and can also be done by folding the microphone down, but only in USB mode. The Discord-certified game/chat balance control adjusts the volume between game and chat directly on the headphones, which is very practical.
JBL Quantum 400 USB Gaming Headset Review
Now, JBL has dropped the Harman from their name but that doesn’t change the fact that the pedigree of this company revolves around great audio. Other than that, the price is indeed attractive and as you’ll see in this review, there’s a good reason to go for this headset especially if you game on multiple platforms. Driver size: 50 mm Dynamic drivers Frequency response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz Microphone frequency response: 100 Hz – 10 KHz Max input power: 30 mW Sensitivity: 98 dB SPL @1 kHz / 1 mW Microphone sensitivity: -40 dBV @1 kHz / Pa Impedance: 32 ohm Cable length: 3.5 mm audio cable (1.2 m) + Type-C to Type-A Cable (3 m) Microphone pickup pattern: Directional Microphone size: 4 mm x 1.5 mm Weight: 274 g
The JBL Quantum 400 features a DJ-style headband with free rotating earcups on both ends of the band. The headset’s ample clamp force doesn’t add much stress and makes this a very nice and comfortable wearing experience. In contrast to the earcups soft, cushy feel, the headband is lined on the inside-end with a slightly firm foam padding.
In our first impressions video we mentioned that the JBL Quatum 400 is a versatile headset and that’s because it supports both 3.5mm and USB for PC or console or phone use. Subtle attention to details like the reinforced end on the 3.5mm jack that meets the headset are nice touches.
The interface is intuitive and highly dynamic with subtle details on changes which makes it a joy to use.
The QuantumEngine is a universal software that works with the entire JBL Quantum range and proves equalizer options as well as control for surround and lighting. While the JBL Quantum 400 has a warm touch to its overall audio signature, it doesn’t push the lower end too much and makes it a much more pleasing headset in terms of sound character. JBL of course focus on its own QuantumSurround and its obvious who’s going to be the winner here but to be fair, the JBL Quantum 400 has decent DTS audio and conveys a much much smaller sound stage compared to QuantumSurround which creates a very roomy sound stage and creates nice difference in audio detail based on distance.
I’d have to note that I am concerned by the lack of metal but despite me forcing this pair into weird, unnatural bends yet still hasn’t snapped, proves to us the material JBL is using is quite good. Clamping force is good and feels natural and the memory foam pads on the earcups are heavenly and give a perfectly nice seal around the ear. For the serious gamer though, the sound quality is there and comfort points are also top marks for the JBL Quantum 400.
Some nitpicks though, we still miss surround options for console and JBL needs to address the material they used to at least add some confidence to users who are not used to an all-plastic build.
Geek Review: JBL Quantum 400 Gaming Headset
With seven headsets available, the new Quantum range includes options for both casual and competitive gamers, such as wired and wireless builds, that are suited for multi-platforms. This feature uses proprietary algorithms and integrated head tracking sensors, showing the team’s commitment to develop sound to the next level.
Here we have the JBL Quantum 400 (USD$99.95/S$149), one of their more affordable models that also spare no expense when it comes to quality, with well-balanced sound and a very good microphone.
The QuantumSound processing provides plenty of options for tweaking the audio balance, but only on PC; if you use it with a PS4 you’re limited to stereo and stock EQ.
The earcups are mounted on swivels that let them fold in and pivot slightly up and down, while functioning separately from the flex of the headband – offering a versatile and portable fit for different head sizes. In terms of music performance, the Quantum 400 can put out some decent mid- to high frequencies with the low-end a little lacklustre for bassheads. Again, kick drums hits sound good without distortion, but bass-induced players may not feel as satisfied even with the Bass Boost Equalizer on. Impacts, booms, slashes, and whips sound great with directional imaging details being pretty good even with the audio limited to stereo.
Picking out the source of the action sounds proved to be an accurate affair, and it was easy to get some sense of where the fighting was – even behind the direction the player is facing. It’s definitely not the best one out there on the market, but it does pick up voice naturally with clarity and warmth without any noticeable distortion or muffled speech, so your friends on Discord will be able to better understand what you’re saying. GEEK REVIEW SCORE Summary The JBL Quantum 400 is a budget-friendly gaming headset that offers well-balanced sound performance, an excellent microphone and great comfort that can last through long gameplay sessions.
Customer Reviews: JBL Quantum 400 RGB Wired DTS Headphone:X v2.0 Gaming Headset for PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and Mobile Devices Black JBLQUANTUM400BLKAM
Connection to a computer via USB grants you access to the JBL QuantumENGINE software and powers the RGB lighting. From here you can set the equalizer to one of 7 preset modes or you can manually adjust the levels at 10 different frequencies to fine tune the sound how you like.
The default equalizer settings make things sound pretty muddled and a bit bass heavy but not in a good way. Something important I discovered when connected via USB is that you need to make sure that “Speakers (JBL Quantum 400* Game)” is your selected playback device in Windows.
Also, the included cables are braided for long-term ruggedness and durability and I appreciate that they chose to pay attention to little details like this. Pair that with their phenomenal comfort, excellent mic, and great sound positioning and you end up with a really good set of headphones, especially at this price point.
Wired Over-Ear Gaming Headphones with USB and Game-Chat Balance Dial
I also wanted to see if 7.1 surround in a headset WAS really a thing or just a sales gimmick. I prefer mine either a dark solid color or off to limit ambient light on my monitor.
JBL Quantum 400 Review: A versatile mid-range offering in the JBL Quantum lineup
At this price point, the JBL Quantum 400 goes up against gaming headsets such as the HyperX Cloud Revolver, the Razer Kraken 7.1 V2 and SteelSeries Arctis 5. Both cables are braided and come with specs of orange mixed in the black fabric, making it look super pleasing to the eye and premium. The JBL Quantum 400 are circumaural (over-ear) headphones that come with large, memory foam padded ear cups with a soft leatherette material atop. The controls are easy to reach and use, however, the game chat dial is a tad rickety and has difficultly staying put in the middle setting.
The action of simply flipping up your mic mutes it completely and this will be indicated by the LED below the microphone capsule lighting up red. Gone are the days of scrambling around, looking desperately for your mic mute button on the headphone when your mom comes barging into your room, screaming at you for gaming way too long.
The flip-to-mute microphone mechanism, the premium braided cables, and the flexibility of the headband impressed us quite a bit on this gaming headset. Comfort is non-negotiable when it comes to gaming headsets due to the sheer number of hours most gamers spend wearing these contraptions around their head.
The JBL Quantum 400’s plush, memory foam ear cups and the soft padding on the headband ensures that wearing these cans over the course of long gaming sessions is a piece of cake.
Mesh or fabric would be more breathable, however, it tends to attract a lot of dirt, so we can’t really fault JBL for going with the soft leather material. The second tab gives you granular levels of control over the RGB-lit area of the headset – the JBL logos on the ear cups. It is a simulated 7.1 Surround Sound experience which JBL achieves by adding overhead channels to give users a sense of spatial awareness.
Overall, the software’s interface is quite intuitive and highly dynamic, which makes it quite a fun ride for gamers who love customisation. The JBL Quantum 400 created a virtual surround sound experience that offers solid directional imaging in games that feature tons of explosions and gunfire such as Valorant, CS:GO and PUBG.
Still, we prefer JBL’s QuantumSurround to the Super X-Fi on the Creative SXFI theatre, since it sounds more positionally accurate when gaming.
However, when watching action films, the QuantumSurround adds an extra dimension of immersion and does a pretty good job at emanating sounds from accurate angles.
Even with just stereo sound, the imaging is quite accurate and the natural soundstage is sufficiently wide, so you will be able to tell the general direction of footsteps and other audio cues. Bassheads especially will likely be disappointed with the lack of bass response, however, for those who prefer a neutral or A-shaped sound profile, these headphones will be quite ideal for music.
The flip-to-mute mechanism is extremely convenient and it is hard to go back to headphones with a plain ol’ mute button now. Additionally, the memory foam ear cups and the adjustable headband lends to a very comfortable wearing experience even during long gaming sessions.
JBL’s QuantumSurround brings life and extra tactility and immersion to games, especially FPS ones and the flip-to-mute microphone is both convenient and impressive. If you’re a basshead, you may find the bass response slightly underwhelming, however, for the purpose of gaming, these headphones are a pretty great purchase with an immersive soundstage and stellar directional imaging.
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