The JBL Quantum 100 are okay budget wired gaming headphones. They're the entry-level model in JBL's lineup of Quantum-branded gaming headset lineup, and lack many of the features found on the more expensive JBL Quantum 400, JBL Quantum 800 Wireless, and JBL Quantum ONE, including RGB lighting and a dedicated companion app. Aside from their high-quality boom microphone, they deliver fairly unremarkable performance across the board, but they're a solid choice if you're looking for a pair of no-frills gaming headphones that won't break the bank.
Our Verdict
The JBL Quantum 100 are mediocre when it comes to neutral sound. They have a boomy, bass-heavy sound profile that muddies and clutters a lot of tracks. They also don't provide an especially consistent fit, so your listening experience may vary significantly on different occasions.
- Low latency.
- Boomy, dark sound profile.
- Inconsistent listening experience.
The JBL Quantum 100 are a bad match for commuting and traveling. They block out very little background noise, especially in the bass range, so you'll hear quite a bit of rumbling from bus engines. They're also not very portable and start to pinch your ears during moderately-long listening sessions. Finally, they lack most essential onboard call and music controls, which makes it a hassle to switch tracks or answer calls when you're on the go.
- Low latency.
- Flimsy build quality.
- Rudimentary control scheme.
- Poor noise isolation performance.
- Wired only-connection.
The JBL Quantum 100 are inadequate for sports and fitness. They clamp the head fairly tightly, especially for gaming headphones, but will probably fall off at anything more intense than a light jog. They also lack basic call management and music controls, making it easy to disrupt your flow if you're out on a run. Their non-detachable wired connection also represents a snagging hazard.
- Low latency.
- Flimsy build quality.
- Rudimentary control scheme.
- Wired only-connection.
The JBL Quantum 100 are bad for dedicated office use. They do a very poor job of blocking out background speech, which isn't ideal in a crowded office. They also aren't especially comfortable to wear for extended periods, while their wired-only connection limits their versatility.
- Low latency.
- Poor noise isolation performance.
- Wired only-connection.
These headphones are wired-only and don't support wireless connections.
The JBL Quantum 100 are an okay choice for wired gaming. Their wired connection allows for lag-free audio while their high-quality boom microphone means that teammates will be able to understand you. Unfortunately, their fit is a little on the tight side and might begin to pinch your ears during longer gaming sessions.
- Excellent boom microphone.
- Low latency.
- Flimsy build quality.
- Poor noise isolation performance.
The JBL Quantum 100 are a decent choice for making phone calls. While they lack even basic call management controls, their excellent boom microphone makes your voice sound full-bodied, distortion-free, and mostly clear of background noise.
- Excellent boom microphone.
- Low latency.
- Poor noise isolation performance.
- Wired only-connection.
Changelog
- Updated Oct 05, 2021: Converted to Test Bench 1.5.
- Updated Jul 30, 2020: Review published.
- Updated Jul 24, 2020: Early access published.
- Updated Jul 22, 2020: Our testers have started testing this product.
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Popular Headphones Comparisons
The JBL Quantum 100 are simple, no-frills wired gaming headphones. Aside from a very high-quality detachable boom microphone, they do little to stand out in the realm of budget-priced gaming headphones. They feel very cheap and provide a muddy, cluttered, and frustratingly inconsistent listening experience that can’t be customized or adjusted. If you're looking for gaming headphones, check out our list of recommendations for the best gaming headsets under $100, the best gaming headsets, the best PS4 gaming headsets, and the best Xbox One headsets.
The HyperX Cloud Stinger are better wired gaming headphones than the JBL Quantum 100. The HyperX are more comfortable to wear during long gaming sessions, feel far more well-built, and provide a better-balanced listening experience, not to mention vastly superior noise isolation performance. On the other hand, the JBL have an easier-to-use control scheme that provides a little more feedback as well as a detachable boom microphone that makes them a little less bulky.
The JBL Quantum 400 are better wired gaming headphones than the JBL Quantum 100. The Quantum 400 offer a much sturdier build-quality as well as a broad array of configuration options in their companion JBL Quantum Engine software, not to mention USB audio compatibility. However, the Quantum 100 are much cheaper, have a boom microphone that makes your voice sound fuller, and deliver a broadly similar, only slightly less neutral listening experience.
The Astro A10 are better wired gaming headphones than the JBL Quantum 100. The Astro are much more premium feeling, have a better-balanced sound profile, and provide a more consistent, comfortable fit. However, the JBL are a little more portable thanks to their detachable microphone, while their simple onboard control scheme provides more feedback than the Astro’s in-line remote.
The Razer Kraken X are better wired gaming headphones than the JBL Quantum 100. The Razer are less fatiguing to wear, feel sturdier, and have a boom microphone that does a better job of isolating speech from background noise. Conversely, the JBL are a little easier to carry around and look a little more casual thanks to their detachable boom microphone.
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