With Gamescom 2025 well underway, we've had the chance to test out the ROG Xbox Ally and upgraded Nvidia GeForce Now. But on the audio front, we may see a new contender in the best gaming headsets, as JBL has announced its new JBL Quantum gaming headsets.
Announced during Gamescom 2025, JBL revealed three new gaming headsets: the JBL Quantum 950, Quantum 650 and Quantum 250. Each caters to different price ranges, with the Quantum 950 being the flagship headset to keep an eye out for.
There's the upgraded JBL QuantumENGINE, adding spatial sound, 3D head tracking and active noise cancellation (ANC), along with its AI noise reduction tech to keep noise that isn't your voice to a minimum. Plus, there's even a hot-swappable dual-battery system providing 25 hours of battery each, and a wireless base station
I was able to check out the JBL Quantum headset and was immediately drawn in by its comfy fit and lightweight design (I also took a shine to its white colorway). As for how they actually sound? That will be saved for when I test these cans out.
However, JBL is known for its pinpoint audio (as with the JBL Charge 6), and that should translate quite nicely to clear, detailed gaming audio.
JBL Quantum Gaming Headset: Specs
| Row 0 - Cell 0 | JBL Quantum 950 | JBL Quantum 650 | JBL Quantum 250 |
Price | £299.99 / €349.99 | £129.99 / €149.99 | £49.99 / €59.99 |
Connectivity | Dual 2.4 GHz, Bluetooth 5.3 | Dual 2.4 GHz, Bluetooth 5.3 | Wired 3.5mm |
Wireless Base Station | Yes, with controls for RGB lighting, EQ presets, and game- chat balance | No | No |
ANC | Yes | No | No |
Mic | 6mm Boom Mic | 6mm Boom Mic | 6mm Boom Mic |
Battery life | 25 hours per battery, with 2 batteries | 45 hours | N/A |
Colors | Black, White | Black, White, Purple, Teal | Black, White, Purple, Teal |
Comfort is in focus
First things first: how do the JBL Quantum Headset lineup feel? About as comfortable as they look, I found. That's an essential for anyone looking to dive into a long gaming session.
The thick memory foam ear cushions completely covered my ears and rested comfortably without feeling too tight, and I barely noticed their weight. And just like the recent SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 Wireless I've been using, all the Quantum headsets come with a hammock headband and breathable mesh suspension that makes the headset feel lightweight and snug on the head.
They still feel premium, though, which is what I'd want from a pair of gaming headphones that cost up to £299.99 / €349.99 (likely around $349).
What I did find is that the upgraded 6mm boom mic on all the models isn't flexible, and it does seem a tad long and in the way. Still, this is detachable, so that easily solves that small annoyance of mine.
In terms of comfort, I'm impressed by what the JBL Quantum gaming headsets offer, and I'm a fan of their various colors (too bad the Quantum 950 only comes in black and white, though).
Premium specs for premium audio
Now, onto what's under the hood. JBL aims to level up the playing field in multi-platform gaming headsets with the new Quantum 950 headset, delivering the kind of audio precision that esports players and casuals after top-level audio expect — albeit at a premium price tag.
I expect these headphones will be able to track footsteps in multiplayer titles and subtle sounds in narrative-driven AAA games. Along with JBL's Quantum Spatial Sound and 3D head tracking, audio should be top-level.
What's more, that 6mm boom mic wants to make sure your callouts are crisp. However, the real game-changer is the integrated AI Noise Reduction feature. It intelligently filters out the click-clack of your mechanical keyboard and other background noise, so your team doesn't hear your setup.
It's all useless without a good battery life, so the Quantum 950 introduces a hot-swappable dual battery system. When one runs low, simply swap it for a fresh one from the wireless charging Base Station without ever dropping a match. With up to 25 hours per battery, there's a lot of gaming to be done, although the 45 hours on the wireless Quantum 650 is also impressive.
There's all the connectivity in there, too, with low-latency 2.4GHz wireless, Bluetooth 5.3 or a wired connection (with the Quantum 250 being purely wired). That means it should be able to connect to all gaming PCs and consoles, including PS5, Xbox, Nintendo Switch and other platforms.
How will these features compare to the best gaming headsets around? We'll keep you up to date once we subject these cans to the full Tom's Guide review treatment.
Gamescom 2025 has plenty more to show off, though, and you can find out how the upgraded Nvidia GeForce Now with RTX 5080 is a console killer.
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