JBL Quantum TWS - Lag-Free Listening In a Bud

Have I ever mentioned how many earbuds I've reviewed over the years?

Oh, I have? Only about a million times? That's because there are about a MILLION EARBUDS out there.

I used to be able to single out my favourites because of their superior fit and noise cancelling abilities but something has changed in 2022; I'm finding more and more earbuds now fit properly and active noise cancellation has got really good, really fast.

So come on, tech world. What've you got next? Why should I choose your earbuds over someone else's? And don't say because they come in red... although that'd definitely get my attention.

As we've seen before, JBL doesn't make the earbuds decision easier due to its own, overwhelming range, which is now one pair bigger, with the addition of the Quantum TWS.

From the outside of the charging case, there's no reason to think these are all that different to any other JBL buds but open the lid and you'll notice three items inside, not just a pair.

The Quantum TWS earbuds themselves are a reasonably conventional combination of sealed-ear fit (with a selection of tips included in the box) and an external stem, primarily for directional mic positioning. there's a premium feel to the build quality and the silver and black JBL logo is not too flashy.

I've found the fit to be extremely comfortable and secure. The IPX4 splash resistance rating means these are a good choice for exercise as well as extended gaming sessions... which brings us to that third item in the case; a compact USB-C 2.4Ghz wireless dongle.

Yes, a genuine point of difference.

While the Quantum TWS earbuds boast the latest, low-latency bluetooth 5.2 connectivity, low-latency still doesn't mean no-latency. So, just like other reliable cord-free gaming accessories, JBL has introduced 2.4Ghz wireless into the equation to ensure what you see is exactly what you hear - exactly when you should.

This isn't just a crucial element in growing your successful semi-pro gaming career. It also eliminates the frustration of out-of-sync dialogue when bingeing your favourite psycho-drama.

The fortunate side-effect of this unique dual-source approach is the instant you unplug the dongle, you're back on bluetooth, effectively swapping devices in a mere moment.

Either way, the sound quality from these little beauties is rather impressive - certainly in terms of sheer power, anyway. The drivers measure a whopping 10mm - almost twice the diameter of most other true wireless earbuds I've used. This means they can be wound up very loud with an incredible amount of bass for a form-factor this small.

"Only Human" by Jason Mraz has just the most seductive bassline - the live version even more so. Thanks to JBL's typical over-emphasis on bass reproduction, this track is like treacle in my ears. That's a good thing, by the way.

However, on a track like the studio demo of Crowded House's "Oblivion," the kick drum is actually too prominent, pretty much drowning out everything else. Of course, to a large degree this can be remedied by fiddling around with the EQ in the JBL Headphones app - but who wants to do that for every track?

So musically, the Quantums perform well - especially when things get bassy - without taking out any personal prizes.

But remember, these are not designed primarily for music. These are "gaming earbuds." And sure enough, when it comes to the surround-sound effects of a first-person shooter or a well-mixed blockbuster movie, the Quantum TWS buds really come into their own.

Quite apart from the fact we've all but eliminated any lag with the addition of the 2,4Ghz wireless dongle, if you've plugged it into a Windows PC or laptop, you can download the JBL Quantum Engine desktop app to fine-tune your audio experience. Not only can you update firmware, monitor battery life and adjust volume, most importantly you can access the JBL QuantumSURROUND setting - a 7:1 spatial listening experience that somehow works almost as well in these tiny buds as it does in JBL's high-end Quantum over-ear headsets. The sense of space, direction and distance is actually kind of freaky. This is all in order to prevent you from being snuck up on by enemy combatants or overtaken in a surprise final-lap manoeuvre while playing Moto GP 3.

There are a whole bunch of beamforming mics built in too, so whether you're taking a call or calling in air-support, you should be clearly heard either way.

By reducing the full Quantum gaming experience down into two earbuds and a dongle, JBL has made it more portable than ever. The charging case has a slot for the dongle too and is no bigger than most other cases like it. Unfortunately, I will have to take marks off for the lack of wireless charging. I've become quite accustomed to plonking my earbuds down on a convenient Qi charging pad whenever I'm not using them - having to hunt around for a spare USB-C charger is certainly a first-world problem I can do without.

At around two hours from empty, charge time is also a little slow and five hours listening time with ANC on is good but not great. I suppose if you're gaming for longer than five hours in a row you've probably got issues more pressing than having to recharge your earbuds.

I know at the top I said everybody seems to be doing a good job of ANC these days but it's still worth mentioning I've been suitably impressed with the noise cancellation on the Quantum TWS as well. This not only means a more pleasurable commute, blocking out traffic, train or bus sounds but a more focussed gaming experience too - it's much easier to ignore your flatmates when you can't actually hear them.

While onboard controls are limited to short, long or multiple presses on the outside of either bud, at least these are quite customisable via the JBL Headphones app. I've got volume programmed on the left bud, play/pause on the right. But ANC and voice assistants are available too.

All in all, I'm thoroughly smitten with JBL's latest effort. Although they may not be my absolute first choice for music appreciation sessions, when it comes to video and gaming, the dongle definitely makes all the difference.

    

Click here for more information and pricing on the JBL Quantum TWS true wireless noise cancelling gaming earbuds.