Quantum 300:Headphone Gameing

The JBL Quantum 300 offers immersive surround sound simulation for games and movies on a Windows® PC.

Power and detail for today's sophisticated game soundscapes

Video game creators and developers put a crazy amount of detail into their games. And rich, atmospheric sound can be as important to their world-building as the graphics, characters, and narrative. The JBL Quantum 300 gaming headset features high-performance drivers and is the least expensive model in the company's Quantum Series line to offer their simulated 7.1 surround sound processing. That means you get deep bass, along with all those distinct, contextual sounds that can draw you deeper into the gameplay. 

Battle-tested sound 

These headphones feature the same large 50mm drivers found in all of the other Quantum headsets. JBL's special headphone sound signature has been honed by years and years of research and exhaustive user testing. It's helped them develop a sound profile that's been proven to satisfy most listeners.

For gamers, of course, that means hard-hitting sound effects, but it also means dialogue clarity and directional cues that can help when competition gets fierce.     

Hands-on with JBL's special software

The Windows PC app gave me control JBL's surround sound.

These JBLs offers clear, powerful sound out of the box. But for an extra level of immersion in your games and videos — and a suite full of cool customization features — you'll want to download the QuantumENGINE software to your Windows PC. I gave the software a spin with both the JBL Quantum 400 and Quantum 600 headsets, and I really enjoyed the extra level of control.

JBL's advanced surround sound processing 

The surround processing was effective with the right material.

The new season of the Netflix docuseries Formula 1: Drive to Survive was a good fit for these headphones. All of the visceral racing action and tire changes came through with punch-to-the-gut impact. But then in lower-key moments, like an office meeting between a driver and race sponsor.

Wired connection to your PC or console game controller

This headset also connects to the headphone jack on the bottom of most Playstation or Xbox controllers.

In order take advantage of the QuantumENGINE software — including the surround sound processing — you'll need to connect to your PC via the provided USB-A adapter cable. This cable is over four feet long, so it gives you some extra slack. And it feels nice and durable thanks to the woven-fabric covering. 

That adapter attaches to another cable terminated by a 3.5mm miniplug. So you can also connect to the headphone jack at the bottom of your Xbox One or PS4 controller (and some third-party Nintendo Switch controllers) for two-channel sound. You should be able to make the same type of connection on the forthcoming Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 controllers, based on the specs released by those companies. 

Secure, well-cushioned fit 

Gamers often end up wearing headphones for even longer stretches than we serious music listeners. So JBL added a thick layer of soft memory-foam padding to the Quantum 300's earcups and headband. These headphones do fit snug, but that helps ensure that they stay properly in place while you move around.

One tip for all-day PC gamers: in the QuantumENGINE software suite, choose the EQ setting called "long session." It will smooth out some of the higher frequencies, and help tame harsh sounds that can be grating over time.   

Convenient communication and control 

Obviously, in the middle of an intense game you don't want stop and fiddle with your headset. To that point, there's a raised volume dial on the left earcup that's easy to find with your finger. Plus there's an attached directional microphone for clear-sounding chat with online teammates. You can flip the boom arm up to quickly mute the mic.