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We've recently released our Test Bench 1.6 update for Headphones! Read the Latency R&D Article to learn more.

JBL Quantum ONE Headphones Review

Tested using Methodology v1.5
Reviewed Jul 27, 2020 at 09:05 am
Latest change: Writing modified Dec 09, 2021 at 08:40 am
JBL Quantum ONE Picture
7.7
Neutral Sound
5.4
Commute/Travel
5.4
Sports/Fitness
6.5
Office
5.7
Wireless Gaming
7.5
Wired Gaming
7.4
Phone Calls

The JBL Quantum ONE are a decent pair of wired gaming headphones. They’re the current flagship model of JBL’s range of Quantum-branded gaming headsets and have quite a bit in common with the JBL Quantum 800 Wireless and wired-only JBL Quantum 400, with the main difference being the inclusion of the QuantumSphere 360 virtual surround sound feature. They aren’t an especially versatile pair of headphones when it comes to casual use, but they do feature a range of gaming-oriented configuration options in the feature-packed JBL Quantum Engine app. They also have a very well-balanced sound profile as well as a detachable boom microphone that offers a good overall performance.

Our Verdict

7.7 Neutral Sound

The JBL Quantum ONE are decent for neutral sound. They offer well-reproduced bass, mids, and treble, so your entire listening experience will be well-balanced, with no part of the mix overwhelming another. This can be further adjusted with a graphic EQ or audio presets in the dedicated JBL Quantum Engine app. Unfortunately, they don’t provide a consistent listening experience, as almost all sounds across the audible spectrum will be heard differently based on the headphones’ fit and positioning.

Pros
  • Very well-balanced sound profile.
  • Companion app provides a large array of configuration options.
Cons
  • Lack of call/music controls.
  • Listening experience is inconsistent and heavily dependent on fit and positioning.
5.4 Commute/Travel

The JBL Quantum ONE are inadequate for travel and commuting. While their boom microphone is detachable, they’re quite large and lack a case, so carrying them around when not in use is a bit of a hassle. Their ANC system isn’t bad at blocking out ambient speech, but it struggles with low-frequency sounds like bus engines. They also lack dedicated call and music controls, making it difficult to answer your phone or change songs on the go.

Pros
  • Very well-balanced sound profile.
  • ANC does a decent job of blocking out background chatter.
Cons
  • Bulky gaming-oriented design.
  • Lack of call/music controls.
  • Unstable fit.
  • Total lack of wireless compatibility.
5.4 Sports/Fitness

The JBL Quantum ONE are a poor choice for sports and fitness. They’re quite bulky, don’t offer an especially stable fit, and lack dedicated call and music controls, which is annoying if you don’t want to disrupt your pace when you’re out on a run. Their wired-only connection also presents a potential snagging hazard.

Pros
  • Very well-balanced sound profile.
  • ANC does a decent job of blocking out background chatter.
Cons
  • Bulky gaming-oriented design.
  • Lack of call/music controls.
  • Unstable fit.
  • Total lack of wireless compatibility.
6.5 Office

The JBL Quantum ONE are mediocre for office use. Their gaming-oriented design is pretty comfortable and reasonably sturdy but doesn’t look very subtle. They don’t leak too much audio and should block out most background chatter, but them being wired-only severely limits their connectivity options.

Pros
  • Very well-balanced sound profile.
  • ANC does a decent job of blocking out background chatter.
Cons
  • Bulky gaming-oriented design.
  • Lack of call/music controls.
5.7 Wireless Gaming

These headphones are wired-only and can't be used wirelessly.

7.5 Wired Gaming

The JBL Quantum ONE are good for wired gaming. They’re decently comfortable and quite customizable thanks to support from the dedicated JBL Quantum Engine app. The QuantumSphere 360 head-tracking feature is a compelling addition if you’re looking for a little more immersion. They should also be compatible with most setups thanks to the inclusion of both 1/8" TRRS and USB-A to USB-C cables. Lastly, their microphone makes your voice sound full-bodied.

Pros
  • Very well-balanced sound profile.
  • Good overall microphone performance.
  • Companion app provides a large array of configuration options.
  • Wired compatibility with all gaming setups.
Cons
  • Lack of call/music controls.
  • Listening experience is inconsistent and heavily dependent on fit and positioning.
7.4 Phone Calls

The JBL Quantum ONE are a decent choice for phone calls. Their detachable boom microphone makes your voice sound full-bodied and clear while also doing an decent job of keeping it isolated from ambient noise. On the downside, they lack any sort of onboard call controls.

Pros
  • Very well-balanced sound profile.
  • Good overall microphone performance.
Cons
  • Bulky gaming-oriented design.
  • Lack of call/music controls.
  • 7.7 Neutral Sound
  • 5.4 Commute/Travel
  • 5.4 Sports/Fitness
  • 6.5 Office
  • 5.7 Wireless Gaming
  • 7.5 Wired Gaming
  • 7.4 Phone Calls
  1. Updated Nov 18, 2021: Converted to Test Bench 1.5.
  2. Updated Jun 11, 2021: Changed USB Audio and Connection results for clarity.
  3. Updated Jul 27, 2020: Review published.
  4. Updated Jul 22, 2020: Early access published.
  5. Updated Jun 15, 2020: Our testers have started testing this product.
  6. Updated Jun 12, 2020: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.
  7. Updated May 31, 2020: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.

Compared To Other Headphones

The JBL Quantum ONE are a decent pair of wired gaming headphones. They feature a range of gaming-oriented configuration options in the feature-packed JBL Quantum Engine app as well as a very well-balanced sound profile, not to mention a good detachable boom microphone. Their distinguishing feature over most other gaming headphones is the inclusion of JBL's QuantumSphere 360 virtual surround sound feature, which is similar to the head-tracking feature found on the Audeze Mobius, though slightly less comprehensive. If you're looking for other gaming headphones, take a look at our list of recommendations for the best gaming headsets, the best PS4 gaming headsets, and the best Xbox One headsets.

Astro A40 TR Headset + MixAmp Pro 2019

The Astro A40 TR Headset + MixAmp Pro 2019 are better wired gaming headphones than the JBL Quantum ONE. They’re very comfortable, well-built, and offer a high degree of on-the-fly adjustability when used in conjunction with the MixAmp remote, which offer physical controls for channel mixing, volume, EQ preset cycling, and surround sound activation. The Astro's open-back design also provides a far more immersive listening experience. However, that design philosophy means that the JBL are slightly more versatile, as they a much better job of blocking out ambient noise and don't leak nearly as much audio.

JBL Quantum 800 Wireless

The JBL Quantum 800 Wireless and JBL Quantum ONE are similarly performing gaming headphones, each with different advantages. The Quantum 800 are cheaper wireless gaming headphones with a slightly better ANC system as well as a wealth of connectivity options. The Quantum ONE only support a wired connection and are a lot less versatile, but have better build quality, a more well-balanced default sound profile, and the inclusion of JBL’s adjustable QuantumSphere 360 virtual surround system.

SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless

The SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless are better gaming headphones than the JBL Quantum ONE. The SteelSeries have a more comfortable design that shouldn’t look too out of place in an office setting, along with onboard controls for answering phone calls and a better retractable microphone. They use a low-latency wireless receiver for wireless gaming but also provide Bluetooth and wired compatibility, the latter thanks to an included 1/8” TRRS cable. However, the JBL are better suited for gaming in loud environments thanks to their ANC system, which does a good job of blocking out ambient chatter.

Logitech G935 Wireless

The Logitech G935 Wireless are better gaming headphones than the JBL Quantum ONE. Thanks to the remarkably feature-rich Logitech G HUB companion software, you can do everything from adjusting the Logitech’s sound profile to remapping their controls, not to mention setting up different room effects. You can also use the Logitech wirelessly via a USB dongle. However, the JBL have a better balanced out-the-box sound profile and block out more ambient noise thanks to their ANC system.

Test Results

perceptual testing image
Design
Design
Style
Type Over-ear
Enclosure Closed-Back
Wireless No
Transducer Dynamic

The JBL Quantum ONE look like gaming headphones. They’re a bit larger than the similarly-styled JBL Quantum 800, with bulkier ear cups and a wider, better-padded headband. Their ear cups are made of a less glossy plastic than the 800, which means that fingerprints will show a little less. They also feature an RGB lighting scheme focused around the ear cups and chrome-finish logo that can be customized in their dedicated companion software. All told, they'll stand out in any casual setting.

7.0
Design
Comfort
Weight 0.83 lbs
Clamping Force
1.4 lbs

The JBL Quantum ONE are decently comfortable gaming headphones. They clamp your head more tightly than the similar JBL Quantum 800 Wireless, but they shouldn’t pinch your ears thanks to a wider, more generously padded headband.

6.9
Design
Controls
OS Compatibility
Not OS specific
Ease Of Use Decent
Feedback Decent
Call/Music Control No
Volume Control Yes
Microphone Control Mute/Unmute
Channel Mixing
Yes
Noise Cancelling Control On/Off
Talk-Through
On/Off
Additional Controls Virtual Soundstage Settings

The JBL Quantum ONE’s control scheme is reasonably easy to use. Volume control relies on an infinite scroll wheel, which isn’t ideal in terms of physical feedback, although they provide an audible beep to indicate the minimum and maximum volume. That's adjacent to a dedicated button for re-centering the head-tracking feature. The boom microphone is flip-to-mute, which is also quite handy. You can easily swap audio channels when using the USB cable using an in-line dock. Unfortunately, other major functions are less intuitive. A secondary mute input and RGB lighting activation rely on the same button, just like ANC and talk-through. It should also be noted that our test unit has a reversed control scheme for enabling talk-though and ANC, with 1 click of the button turning on ANC and a 2-second press enabling talk-through. This is the opposite of what's outlined in their instruction manual.

5.2
Design
Portability
L 8.7" (22.1 cm)
W 7.0" (17.8 cm)
H 3.9" (9.9 cm)
Volume 237.50 in³ (3,891.91 cm³)
Transmitter Required No

The JBL Quantum 1 aren’t very portable, which isn’t surprising considering their billing as dedicated gaming headphones. While their ear cups do swivel flat, they’re bulky and lack a carrying case, so you’re risking a little bit of damage if you decide to just throw them into your bag. That said, their boom microphone is detachable, so it shouldn’t snag on anything if you do take them on the go.

0
Design
Case
Type No case
L N/A
W N/A
H N/A
Volume N/A

The JBL Quantum ONE don’t have a carrying case.

7.0
Design
Build Quality

The build quality of the JBL Quantum ONE is decent. Their plastic construction is pretty dense and feels like it’ll take a couple of drops and bumps without any serious damage. The ear cup hinges are much less squeaky than the JBL Quantum 800 Wireless and feel a good bit sturdier, while their faux leather padding is decently soft.

6.5
Design
Stability

The JBL Quantum ONE should do a fair job of staying on your head, especially if you don’t intend to exceed their brief as gaming headphones. Low-intensity head-bobbing shouldn’t cause them to slip around. All told, they offer a more secure fit than the JBL Quantum 800 Wireless thanks to their tighter fit.

Design
Headshots 1
Design
Headshots 2
Design
Top
Design
In The Box

  • JBL Quantum ONE headphones
  • Calibration microphone
  • 1/8” TRRS cable
  • USB-A to USB-C cable with channel mixing dock
  • Manuals

Sound
Sound
Sound Profile
Bass Amount
-2.14 dB
Treble Amount
-0.23 dB

These headphones deliver a well-balanced listening experience overall, with even, accurate bass and mids, so no part of what you’re listening to will be overwhelmed by one part of the mix. That said, if you prefer a little more punch in your listening experience, the JBL Quantum Engine companion software does have a graphic EQ and presets to customize their sound profile.

5.3
Sound
Frequency Response Consistency
Avg. Std. Deviation
1.59 dB

The JBL Quantum ONE have poor frequency response consistency. Aside from the middle of the mid-range, your listening experience will vary significantly across the audible spectrum, with headphone fit and positioning having a severe impact on how bass and treble are heard.

Sound
Raw Frequency Response
9.1
Sound
Bass Accuracy
Std. Err.
1.13 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
26.31 Hz
Low-Bass
-0.84 dB
Mid-Bass
0.08 dB
High-Bass
0.26 dB

The bass accuracy of these headphones is excellent. Bass sounds deep, punchy, and full-bodied without any boominess or muddiness. Video game sound effects should be heard with an appropriate but not overwhelming level of thump and kick. However, bass is heavily reliant on these headphones positioning and fit, so your own listening experience might vary significantly.

9.0
Sound
Mid Accuracy
Std. Err.
1.38 dB
Low-Mid
0.06 dB
Mid-Mid
-0.14 dB
High-Mid
-1.3 dB

The JBL Quantum ONE provide outstanding mid accuracy. Vocals, lead instruments, and dialogue sound clear, well-balanced, and present.

7.8
Sound
Treble Accuracy
Std. Err.
3.32 dB
Low-Treble
2.1 dB
Mid-Treble
2.2 dB
High-Treble
-6.83 dB

These headphones have good treble accuracy. They do a decent job of following our target curve, but a slight bump in the low treble range might cause higher-pitched vocals and instruments to sound a little piercing and overly bright. That said, treble accuracy can vary significantly between listening sessions due to their poor frequency response consistency.

7.3
Sound
Peaks/Dips
Peaks
1.95 dB
Dips
0.84 dB

The JBL Quantum ONE’s peaks and dips performance is decent. A dip in the high-mid range, followed immediately by a spike in the low-treble range, might cause some finer details to sound alternatively veiled and piercing.

6.9
Sound
Imaging
Weighted Group Delay
0.34
Weighted Phase Mismatch
10.66
Weighted Amplitude Mismatch
2.57
Weighted Frequency Mismatch
2.89

These headphones have alright stereo imaging. The weighted group delay has a slight bump in the low-bass and early mid-bass range, but nothing other than that exceeds the audibility threshold, which should ensure a tight bass and transparent treble. The L/R drivers are mostly well-matched in terms of frequency and amplitude response as well, with a low phase mismatch. This allows for a more immersive listening experience, as they do a decent job of localizing objects. That said, the results we obtained are only valid for our test unit, and your device may perform differently.

4.3
Sound
Passive Soundstage
PRTF Accuracy (Std. Dev.)
2.67 dB
PRTF Size (Avg.)
3.25 dB
PRTF Distance
7.54 dB
Openness
2.7
Acoustic Space Excitation
2.5

The JBL Quantum ONE’s passive soundstage is poor, which is pretty normal for closed-back gaming headphones. While sound may seem natural, it won’t be perceived as being especially spacious, so you’ll hear incoming audio as coming from the inside of your head rather than the space in front of you.

5.8
Sound
Virtual Soundstage
Head Modeling
Adjustable
Speaker Modeling
On/Off
Room Ambience
No
Head Tracking
On/Off
Virtual Surround
Yes

These headphones feature DTS X 2.0 as well as JBL’s proprietary QuantumSphere 360 virtual surround feature, which is calibrated using an included mic and inputting your some physical traits in the companion Quantum Engine app. It's a unique addition, but not quite as effective as the head-tracking feature on the Audeze Mobius. That said, we do not test these features, and our score is only based on whether or not the headphones have them.

7.6
Sound
Weighted Harmonic Distortion
WHD @ 90
0.365
WHD @ 100
0.129

These headphones have good weighted harmonic distribution performance. A slight bump in the low to mid-treble range is present, but shouldn't be noticeable by most listeners, and most audio should sound clean and pure.

Sound
Test Settings
Firmware
2.5.0.0
Power
USB
Connection
USB
Codec
PCM, 24-bit, 48kHz
EQ
Default
ANC
On
Tip/Pad
Default
Microphone
Boom

This is the configuration we used to test these headphones. Our results are valid only when using these settings.

Isolation
7.0
Isolation
Noise Isolation
Isolation Audio
Overall Attenuation
-19.5 dB
Noise Cancelling Yes
Bass
-10.51 dB
Mid
-15.96 dB
Treble
-32.38 dB

These headphones have decent noise isolation overall. Their ANC system does a poor job of blocking out sounds in the low-bass range, which mostly encompasses noises like bus and plane engines. If you’re looking for an isolating listening experience when you’re on the go, these might not be the best choice. They do a better job of blocking out background chatter and high-pitched noises, which is handy if you plan on using them in a noisy environment.

7.8
Isolation
Leakage
Leakage Audio
Overall Leakage @ 1ft
34.94 dB

The leakage performance of the JBL Quantum 1 is good, especially for gaming headphones. Any noise that leaks out should be lost below the noise floor of a normal office.

Microphone
Microphone
Microphone Style
Integrated
No
In-Line
No
Boom
Yes
Detachable Boom
Yes
Mic Yes

The JBL Quantum ONE have a removable boom microphone that we tested while using the USB-A to USB-C audio cable.

8.6
Microphone
Recording Quality
Recorded Speech
LFE
20 Hz
FR Std. Dev.
2.03 dB
HFE
7,346.09 Hz
Weighted THD
0.081
Gain
22.04 dB

The recording quality of the JBL Quantum ONE’s boom microphone is excellent. Voices sound full-bodied, detailed, and clear, so you should be easily understood by your teammates on the other end.

7.2
Microphone
Noise Handling
SpNR
34.13 dB
Noise Gate
Always On
Speech + Pink Noise Handling
7.0
Speech + Pink Noise Audio Sample
Speech + Subway Noise Handling
7.5
Speech + Subway Noise Audio Sample

Update 12/09/2021: These headphones have been updated to test bench 1.5. In this update, we changed the way we test noise handling. We now use a subjective evaluation of our audio clips. This new method has resulted in different results than what we had reported in our previous test bench. As a result, the scoring of this box has changed, and we have updated our results.

The noise handling performance of the JBL Quantum ONE’s boom microphone is decent. It can separate your voice from both background chatter and loud ambient noise, which is helpful if you intend to use these headphones in a crowded location. However, the noise around you is still loud and present as you speak.

Active Features
0
Active Features
Battery
Battery Type
No Battery
Continuous Battery Life
N/A
Additional Charges
N/A
Total Battery Life
N/A
Charge Time
N/A
Power-Saving Feature
No
Audio While Charging
No
Passive Playback
Passive Headphone
Charging Port None

The JBL Quantum ONE don't use a battery.

7.5
Active Features
App Support
App Name JBL Quantum Engine
iOS No
Android No
macOS Yes
Windows Yes
Equalizer
Graphic + Presets
ANC Control
No
Mic Control Adjustable Level
Room Effects
No
Playback Control
No
Button Mapping No
Surround Support
Yes

The JBL Quantum ONE are compatible with JBL’s Quantum Engine companion software, which offers a pretty comprehensive suite of options. It allows users to customize their listening experience with a graphic EQ as well as audio presets. Dedicated gamers will be pleased with the inclusion of options for channel mixing, RGB lighting, microphone volume adjustment, and sidetone microphone monitoring. The app also provides support for the headset’s QuantumSphere 360 virtual surround sound feature.

Connectivity
0
Connectivity
Bluetooth
Bluetooth Version
No Bluetooth
Multi-Device Pairing
No
NFC Pairing
No
Line Of Sight Range
N/A
PC Latency (SBC)
N/A
PC Latency (aptX)
N/A
PC Latency (aptX HD)
N/A
PC Latency (aptX-LL)
N/A
iOS Latency
N/A
Android Latency
N/A

The JBL Quantum ONE aren't Bluetooth-compatible.

0
Connectivity
Non-Bluetooth Wireless
Non-BT Line Of Sight Range
N/A
Non-BT Latency
N/A

The JBL Quantum ONE can't be used wirelessly. If you're looking for a similar option that can be used without an audio cable, consider the JBL Quantum 800 Wireless.

8.8
Connectivity
Wired
Analog Audio
Yes
USB Audio
USB Type A
Detachable Yes
Length 9.10 ft (2.77 m)
Connection
1/8" TRRS
Analog/USB Audio Latency
44 ms

Update 06/11/2021: We have changed USB Audio to 'USB Type A' to reflect the source port instead of the headphones' port. When using their USB cable, the USB-A connector can be connected to any device with a USB-A port. We have also changed the Connection to '1/8" TRRS' in order to prioritize the analog connection instead of USB. The scoring of this box hasn't changed.

The JBL Quantum ONE come with a 1/8" TRRS cable as well as a 9 ft USB-A to USB-C cable with an in-line channel mixing remote, which might be a hassle to get to if you sit a long way from your PC or PS4 console. Their USB audio latency is quite low, so even competitive gamers shouldn't notice a delay.

Connectivity
PC Compatibility
Analog
Audio + Microphone
Wired USB
Audio + Microphone
Non-BT Wireless
No
Connectivity
PlayStation Compatibility
PS4 Analog
Audio + Microphone
PS4 Wired USB
Audio + Microphone
PS4 Non-BT Wireless
No
PS5 Analog
Audio + Microphone
PS5 Wired USB
Audio + Microphone
PS5 Non-BT Wireless
No
Connectivity
Xbox Compatibility
Xbox One Analog
Audio + Microphone
Xbox One Wired USB
No
Xbox One Non-BT Wireless
No
Xbox Series X|S Analog
Audio + Microphone
Xbox Series X|S Wired USB
No
Xbox Series X|S Non-BT Wireless
No

The JBL Quantum ONE offers full audio and microphone compatibility with Xbox One consoles when you plug the 1/8" TRRS cable into the controller. Unfortunately, you won't be able to use their USB cable with the Xbox One.

3.4
Connectivity
Base/Dock
Type
Wired USB dock
USB Input
Yes
Line In
No
Line Out
No
Optical Input
No
RCA Input
No
Dock Charging
No
Power Supply
USB

The JBL Quantum ONE have a wired USB-A to USB-C dock with an in-line channel mixer.