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JBL Quantum 610 Wireless Gaming Headset Review
I was surprised when JBL launched a massive range of gaming headsets during the pandemic lockdowns, and even more surprised when it was apparently successful enough for them to keep updating it over the last couple of years.
From the original launch, I checked out and mostly enjoyed the Quantum 300 and the Quantum ONE (click those links for my reviews), and later on I tried the Quantum 350 — which is still one of my favorite wireless gaming headsets.
Recently, JBL released some incremental updates for some of the older wireless Quantums, adding a 10 to the model number but keeping the same price points. Enter the Quantum 610 (official site here). This is a modern refresh of the original Quantum 600 from 2020, adding a bigger battery, the smaller wireless dongle from the 350, and — there’s no third thing, I just felt like there should be one so I started writing this sentence and I’m now leaving it for posterity.
I wasn’t asked by JBL to write this or compensated by them in any way.
The Quantum 610 normally goes for $149.99, putting it right in the middle of the current wireless gaming headset pack. It offers USB connectivity for PC, PS5/4, and Nintendo Switch, and a 3.5mm connection option for when your batteries are dead or when you’re suffering with Microsoft’s stupid Xbox audio licensing decisions.
Battery life is rated for 40 hours and you’ll have no trouble hitting that with the lights turned off, and the USB-C port offers an okay charge time of 3 hours from dead. You’ll need the Quantum Engine Software on PC to turn those lights off and control several other features, so bear that in mind if you’re looking to mostly use these on a console.
Sound performance here is excellent, as it is on most JBL products, and indeed most products from the “Harman family.” The entire JBL Quantum family of headsets targets the “Quantum Sound” sound signature, which is really just the famous research-backed Harman sound target but with some extra bass added to it.
