Quantum is a funny word, isn’t it? The main meaning is to be the smallest amount of anything involved in a situation. You’d think that’d make it feel small, but it also conjures up dazzling vistas of nebulae and space, the future, hope, and technology.

Also it’s the name of a headset series from JBL, but that’s probably just because it sounds cool as hell.

The JBL Quantum 400 headset is at the lower end of medium in JBL’s affordable headset offerings. What this means is that it doesn’t have all the bells and whistles as some more pricey headsets, like the Quantum 600 or 800 with their wireless functionality or active noise cancelling, but you get more than on a basic 200 model.

Weight and comfort

The JBL Quantum 400 weighs in at a very specific 274g. No need to worry about being over-encumbered, but you definitely know it’s there. 

The thick padded earcups not only provide a snug and comfortable fit, but also passively block some ambient noise. They’re not gonna mask any fire alarms, but if you run a dehumidifier constantly (and let’s be fair, us Wellingtonians do) it certainly doesn’t hurt to have some cushion blocking out that drone while you game.

Gets a bit damp regardless, unfortunately, as they’re not very breathable. Sweaty ear crew, beware.

Aesthetics and Sound

To quote the poets, the road to my heart is paved with woven cables. Regardless of whether or not that quote is real, I do love a good cotton-wrapped wire, and the JBL Quantum 400 doesn’t disappoint. There’s still that bizarre and disconcerting kink at the jack, where it veers into a 45 degree angle and gives you a little fright until you get used to it, but hey, that’s nitpicking. The headphones themselves are pretty robust. While there’s more plastic used in the construction than is my taste, they don’t feel like they’ll randomly disintegrate like a lot of purely plastic sets. That’s always handy.

The sound quality is, for lack of a better word, alright. No dizzying highs or crippling lows, but you wouldn’t expect the former and why would you even want the latter? This is not a set for the audiophile. However, unless you’re dying to hear every individual raindrop separately (weirdo) you won’t be disappointed. The surround works great, and I really can’t complain.

The RGB effects, basically making the JBL logo all mystical, are a nice and wholly unnecessary addition. I long for the days when sleek black and graphite were the go to colours for tech, but if you want everything you own to gleam like a bunch of fireflies heading to Pride, these will fit right in.

Mic and connection

The Quantum 400 is a purely wired set of headphones, so bear in mind you won’t be twirling in circles without some consequences. However, as stated, the included audio cable is pretty damn nice, and the relatively low price point is kept low by virtue of not shoving Bluetooth and a battery in there. These are the trade offs, friends, and there’s no way around it short of a socialist revolution. Would you like a socialist revolution? Because that would be great!

Ok so my headphone review is probably unlikely to inspire a bloodless coup, but what about chatting to your friends about a coup in FarCry 6? Well that at least we have covered, with the Quantum 400 built in microphone providing solid connection and quality. Yes it looks like it’s been stapled on as an afterthought, and it doesn’t sit great when not in use, but it gets the job done.

A set for your head

Overall, the JBL Quantum 400 headset is a decent pair of headphones. It almost epitomizes the concept of decent; these are more than just a quantum of a headset, but they’re not the full leap either. 

If you’re a hobbyist gamer looking for something a bit fancier without breaking the bank, these are for you. For even less you could go with the Quantum 200, and for more dollarydoos your options extend ad infinitum. But, after all, that’s what they’re for; a giddy little thrill at a reasonable price. I appreciate what JBL has done with this range; to each according to their needs and means. Get what feels right to you, friends

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The Razer Blackshark, and its sibling the entry level Razer BlackShark V2 X are coming.

No NZ outlets appear to be selling them yet but the Razer BlackShark V2 is rocking a $174.95 AUD price tag.

Touting clear sounds, clear communication, and minimal external noise make the BlackShark V2 the ultimate triple threat in esports. The new headset features:

• TriForce Titanium 50mm Drivers
• Advanced positional THX Spatial Audio
• HyperClear Microphone for tuned voice pick-up
• Memory foam ear cushions
• Multi-platform compatibility

ABOUT THE RAZER BLACKSHARK V2

Headphones

●       Frequency response: 12 Hz – 28 kHz

●       Impedance: 32 Ω @ 1 kHz

●       Sensitivity (@1 kHz): 100dBSPL/mW,1KHz

●       Drivers: Customized Dynamic 50mm Driver

●       Inner ear cup diameter: 65 x 40 mm / 2.56in x 1.57 in

●       Connection type: 3.5mm with USB sound card

●       Cable length: 1.8 m / 5.91 ft.

●       Approx. weight: 262g / 0.6lbs

●       Oval ear cushions: Breathable memory foam cushions

Microphone

●       Frequency response: 100Hz-10KHz

●       Signal-to-noise ratio: 60dB

●       Sensitivity (@1kHz): -42dB V/Pa,1KHz

●       Pick-up pattern: Unidirectional

On-earcup Controls

●       Volume up and down

●       Mic mute on/off toggle

Audio Usage

●       Audio Usage: Devices with 3.5 mm audio jack

●       Audio Usage + USB Sound Card: Devices with USB port

The post The Razer BlackShark V2 headset is coming appeared first on 8-Bit Island.

Logitech G launches LIGHTSPEED Wireless version of its award-winning PRO X Gaming Headset designed with and for the world’s top esports pros

Logitech G’s Pro X headset was a real winner for us. The main issue, being tethered to a cable like Prometheus to a mountain, has been solved with the announcement of a new, improved, wireless edition.

This new headset promises pro-grade LIGHTSPEED wireless technology. This means no lag, with the same responsiveness and quality you’d get from the original recipe Pro X.

The PRO X LIGHTSPEED Wireless Gaming Headset is now equipped with 2.4 GHz LIGHTSPEED wireless, which delivers over 20 hours of battery life and 42 feet of range. That’s… Wow, that’s pretty excessive actually. But still neat.

Pricing and Availability

The Logitech G PRO X Wireless LIGHTSPEED Gaming Headset is expected to be available in August of 2020, for just under $400. For more information, check out Logitech G’s website, or find them @LogitechG.

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Want a free headset?

I’m sure you do, well our friends at SADES have hooked us up with 2 SNUKs to giveaway to 2 of our lucky readers.

Click HERE to enter now!

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You’d be forgiven for thinking that JBL is a new contender in the headset market, even though they’ve been there for quite some time. They’ve been keeping a low profile up till now and, honestly, I don’t see why.

Thankfully, JBL has come out with their extensive Quantum range, aimed at all corners of the markets, from metaphorical cradle to hopefully-not-literal grave.

We got to try out the Quantum 200 set, an entry-level headphone sitting at a more accessible price point.

Quantum Leap Optional

Let’s open this honestly; the Quantum 200s I’m reviewing are not top shelf wonders. The Quantum series ranges from 100 all the way up to 800… and then also ONE which, I dunno, is probably like 1000 if we’re going that way. So as the second-lowest set, you’re not expecting miracles from the 200s.

The 200s and 100s are basically the same to be honest, at least from what I can tell. However, the 200s also come with a PC splitter, for an enhanced audio experience at about $20 more. That’s the beauty of the Quantum range; you can inch up or down depending on needs or budget, and get exactly the set you need. You don’t need to buy bells and whistles if you don’t actually want them.

The sound quality is very good, with music, SFX, and voice all coming through clear and solid on Switch, PS4, and my ancient laptop. Yes, I use Age of Mythology as a test program. No, there is no better RTS in existence. Quit asking.

The mic quality is harder to ascertain, so off to Zoom I go to test audio fidelity. And despite how intensely boring that sentence is, it worked; microphone is a goer. In fact, the microphone was surprisingly good. Aside from sounding a bit canned, like a radio interview dialing someone’s cellphone, the fidelity was great.

The microphone has a very audible click when toggled on or off, controlled by the standard flipping motion. This was a bit jarring, but also useful to know when I could yell at some dude blasting Hawaiian trip-hop over voice comms, and when I was safe to tell my kitten how good and small he is and ask him to share his secrets on these facts.

Both of these are equally important to the ideal gaming setup.

Quantum Mechanics

I had a mild heart attack when I unboxed the JBL Quantum 200 headset. Why? Because the audio jack is angled to be less obtrusive. Of course, since I wasn’t expecting that, I panicked and thought I’d broken them already. I am not a clever man, and this is actually a good idea, especially with the Nintendo Switch, where you REALLY don’t want giant prongs all over.

The only aspect of the Quantum 200s that feels budget is the build materials. You’re not expecting premium leather and platinum gilding here (although, ya know, free ideas for ya JBL), but the creaking of the joints on the earcups after a couple of hours was a bit disappointing. 

The 200s are also full plastic builds, with some pleather added in for your pleasure. This is fine, and leads to an exceptionally light set for those with, I don’t know, weak necks or something. It also means that you get a mild case of sweaty ears if you play for long periods of time, so I’d recommend these for more the casual player rather than a hardcore gamer.

There are some very specific use cases for a set of headphones like this. Mostly, kids. If you’re a parent of a Fortnite kid… well, first off, I’m sorry, I understand that children can be disappointing. But more importantly, they need a fairly sturdy headset, with a microphone, and it can be daunting to go ahead and give a ten-year-old a $300 set of headphones.

Enter the budget headset. And while usually you don’t associate the words ‘budget’ and ‘quality’ in a positive light, if this job has taught me anything it’s that the days of your only cheap option being absolute crap are long gone. The JBL Quantum 200 headset is less than $100, but damned if it doesn’t get the job done.

The Quantum Zone

The JBL Quantum 200 headset feels like a starter headphone, and that’s because it is. But that doesn’t mean it’s lacking. Quite the opposite, the Quantum 200s feel perfectly suited to the casual, hour-at-a-time gamer, or anyone who wants a simple but effective set of headphones.

JBL’s Quantum series has a whole heap of different price points to enter in, for your next gaming headset or your first gaming headset. Beginner doesn’t have to mean poor and, despite the relatively low price point of the JBL Quantum 200 headphones, you definitely get more than your money’s worth.

The most indestructible affordable headset I’ve seen is the ASTRO A10, and these give them a run for their money. If you’re looking for quality on a budget, or something you can give a kid as a beginner set without worrying too much if they get yeeted across the room in a fit of adolescent rage, the JBL 200s are a good way to go.

The post JBL Quantum 200 headset review appeared first on 8-Bit Island.

JBL Australia/New Zealand, a wholly-owned subsidiary of HARMAN International & Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. has announced the launch of the JBL Quantum range of gaming headsets and PC speakers in New Zealand.

As a legacy audio brand JBL knows great sound and they are intent on making their mark in the gaming industry. Fuelled by years of research, the combination of precisely engineered headsets with custom, cutting-edge software puts gamers in the center of the action. From the thrill of tracking enemies in FPS games to engaging in epic MOBA battles, the JBL Quantum Headset Range amplifies victories with the ultimate sound experience. Meanwhile the JBL Quantum DUO gaming speakers bring every game to life, filling the room with sound and lighting effects

The JBL Quantum headset range includes options for both casual and competitive gamers, from wired to wireless, and entry to professional level. All headsets are fully compatible with any gaming system, including PC, Mac, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, mobile and VR.

“We are very excited to be announcing the launch of the JBL Quantum Gaming products. This is the culmination of several years of research and development on behalf of our design team,” said Michael Sherman, Brand Activation Manager at HARMAN. “Esports and Gaming has surged to the forefront in recent years which has accelerated over the COVID19 lockdown period. The decision by Sport New Zealand earlier this year to recognise Esports as an official sport will only further advance its status and legitimacy which one day may rival traditional sports. We at Harman are looking to further enhance the gaming experience and establish a new benchmark in this evolving space.”

Find out more about the JBL Quantum range on the JBL Quantum website.

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There are a lot of gamers out there with nice fancy headsets that will tell you it makes the experience better.  I was one of those monsters that used cheap earbuds plugged into my controller for years, so could a wireless headset convert me?  The Sennheiser GSP 370 decided to show me what I have been missing out on for years with its wireless amazingness.

So easy you don’t need a Licence to Kill.

To see what the user experience was like I pulled the headset and the dongle out of the box and plugged it in to my PS4 to see how easy it was to start up.  Surprisingly this stuff has become so streamlined that as soon as I turned on the headset with the flick of a button the sound kicked in.  Easy right?

It took a little more time to install on my PC, and by that I mean it did its install for a few seconds with no prompting by me and it was time to boogie with my wireless headset.  By boogie I of course mean shoot the swarm in Gears Tactics… but that went without saying.

It will live to Die Another Day.

So what sets this headset apart from the masses is the insane battery life.  It boasts an 100 hour running time which is insane.  Now I can’t say exactly how much time I got out of a charge because I can’t count past 16, but I can say after a full charge I got three weeks out of the headset before I had to recharge.

That included a lot of time playing Assassin’s Creed Odyssey into the dead of the night, so naturally I was nervous that a wireless headset would run out of battery. I couldn’t have been more impressed by my nights going unimpeded by the headset battery, though some pesky sleep got in the way.

You Only Live Twice, and it only works on two platforms.

Since the GSP 370 is a wireless headset using a dongle, in the back of my mind I would expect it to work with any device rocking a USB port.  Unfortunately it only works with PS4 and PC, but not the XB1 which is frustrating.  This is a Xbox flaw that stops it, but a 3.5mm cable for a backup would have been useful to work around this because I want to use it for my main headset.

Still, for gamers using a PS4 or PC solely this won’t be an issue, but it still would have been nice to work around the limitations of other consoles.

With comfort like this I’ll Never Say Never Again.

Whenever I hear “massive battery life” I alway get nervous about weight, and yet the GSP 370 is as comfortable as any other light headset.  The headset is made out of a lot of plastic helping keep it light, so hopefully this won’t be an issue long term, but added to the memory foam padding the whole thing is super comfortable to wear.  With that soft foam pressing into your head, the headset doesn’t have any noise cancellation for the sound but it doesnt need it, there is some on the mic though because you don’t want the noisy house blasting into your friends ears.

There is a nice big volume dial on the side to make it super easy to turn down those unexpectedly loud youtube videos, or to turn up your quiet friend who doesn’t keep the microphone close enough to their mouth with ease.  I actually found myself changing the sound more than I expected to keep it at peak comfort levels.  

The World is not Enough, but this headset is.

At the end of the day this is an easy recommendation.  The bulky clunky look doesn’t matter when you can’t see it. You don’t need to see it with it’s battery life keeping them firmly and comfortably on your ears.  That selling point alone makes it well worth the $350 price tag.

The post Sennheiser GSP 370 Wireless Headset Review appeared first on 8-Bit Island.

“Jack of all trades, master of none” is usually seen as a negative. Always kind of baffled me, to be honest, since the next line is “often much better than master of one.”

Well, meet the headset of all trades, the Logitech G Pro X headset.

Let’s start with the obvious; gaming. For a gaming headset you really want three main things. First, long-term comfort for those far too often “oh Christ it’s been 8 hours” sessions. Second, functionality and features; can it do what it needs to do. And finally, how many dollarydoos do I need to give someone to make this mine?

Also if it’s pretty, but I mean, look at these things. It’s a given that they’re sleek as hell.

Like a comforting hug for your ears

I know that’s a bizarre headline, but bear with me.

The Logitech G Pro X comes with two sets of earcups, interchangeable by way of a rubber seal. These do not change easily and, while I may just be incompetent, I was not a fan of the ordeal. This isn’t something you’ll do on a whim, but I’m still a fan of the options.

The leather earcups were certainly warmer than the foam, and provided far more noise reduction from the environment than their squishier compatriots. For your online shooters, or in a noisy environment, these will be your go-to pick. The foam, on the other hand, was lighter, softer, and more permeable to both heat and sound. This was handy for those times I was playing Fallout 76 while also slyly paying attention to the Canadian frontier drama my partner was watching in the other room. Alternatively, if you’re a normal person and just want some ambient sound if you’re likely to be spoken to IRL, also good.

For long-term wear, the foam comes out fractionally on top, but I was able to wear either for around six hours apiece (on and off), so whichever you prefer will be all good.

The headband is also quite cushiony and pleasant, which is rarer than you’d think even in high-end headsets. There was none of that ‘digging into your scalp like an angry sea-monster’ that you get with some other brands. I mean if you’re into that then more power to ya, but I like my scalp unscabbed, thanks.

Like a nest of useful snakes

I’ve had a lot of headsets, but none came with the veritable cornucopia of additions that the Logitech Pro X did. Two full-length cables, one with a 5mm jack for PC or controller input and some sweet microphone controls, and the other with just one button intended for phone usage. Add to this a Y-shaped splitter for those with seperate mic and ear jacks, as well as a USB converter, and you’ve got enough gizmos and gadgets to rival a Swiss Army Headset which, regardless of whether or not that exists, is still pretty damn impressive.

Honestly, I used the main cable with volume slider, mic control, and clip almost exclusively. But, again, it’s nice to keep your options open, like having two passports, or a secret family in Hamilton.

It is, however, slightly awkward that I can’t change mic volume for other players from the cable though, especially when a small child in Australia is being yelled at by his mum for not tidying his room. Luckily, that’s become rarer post-Fortnite and Apex, because all the kids are off playing those instead of Overwatch. Still, it’s the only feature I really missed from other headsets with balance options, and really wish was here.

Sound quality is, well, pretty excellent. Whether it’s Overwatch, Animal Crossing, Zoom, or Spotify, I haven’t thrown anything at the Pro X that it hasn’t handled comfortably. It’s the kind of quality you expect from the peeps at Logitech, and they’ve yet again delivered.

Like a productive member of society

Speaking of Zoom and Spotify, yeah, this is what I meant by saying it does every job. The near-universal connectivity means that I can pull the cable from my PS4 controller or laptop and stick it into my Mac to join a video meeting with absolutely no hassle. Not to mention that you’ll be the coolest member of the meeting with these things because, as mentioned, they’re slick.

As much as I’ve been gaming with the Pro X, I’ve also been doing business things; as they day, all play and no work makes Brian… well, it’d make me unemployed. This headset has been a godsend when on Zoom calls out of a city centre apartment and, as such, I am pleased to announce that the Logitech G Pro X definitely wins the Lockdown Headset of Choice Award 2020, which I absolutely did not just make up.

The removable mic not only helps you not accidentally broadcast your dinner plans to the whole party, but also means you can listen to music publicly without looking like a complete idiot. Yes, people using mic’d headphones on the street, we see you. And we judge you. Harshly. This way you get all the fun of announcing you play video games to pedestrians, with far less cringe factor. Hey, that’s a win.

Now, obviously there are caveats. You won’t get utterly glorious quality on par with music-focused headphones, but it’s perfectly listenable, even for a snobby audiophile like me. Hell, I’m listening to Iron Maiden right now, and they sound great. In the same way we trade off perfect microphone control on the gaming side, this is the price of versatility. Frankly, it’s your call.

The other big thing is that the Logitech G Pro X is not wireless. To be honest, that’s fine. Frankly it’s a relief not having to deal with charging a headset every few hours, or picking it up to discover it’s out of charge. Plus, and here’s the kicker, it makes the headset a helluva lot more affordable than it would otherwise be.

Just don’t trip and drag your controller halfway across your apartment… Like I did… Repeatedly…

Like trading cash money for usefulness

Ah, capitalism, the reason we can’t have nice things. Well, here you… I mean, you don’t fall (yet), but you certainly don’t completely ruin things.

Thanks to those legends at PriceSpy, I can see that the Logitech G Pro X headset retails for between $260 – $300 NZD on average, which is comfortably mid-tier pricing. Compare this to some of the more mediocre sets that cost the same and you’ll see why this is sweet.

For the same features in a wireless set, you’d be looking at another $100 – $150, at least. Even to get them in a wired set I’d expect to pay a little more. The build quality, versatility, and overall niceness (scientific term) really makes the Logitech G Pro X some of the most bang you can get for your buck.

Like the best wired headset you can get

The similes may have gotten away from me a bit, but the Logitech G Pro X has been a true journey of interactive audio discovery. Or maybe I’ve got some form of headset Stockholm Syndrome because I’ve used this thing almost every day during the whole COVID-19 thing.

Probably the first one.

Ultimately, this headset fits in multiple niches, and does several things really well. Admittedly, I’ve yet to find a Logitech G product I couldn’t wholeheartedly recommend, but even so these are really everything you could want from tech like this. While not a perfect gaming set, nor an outstanding music apparatus, or even the best video conference mic you could have, the fact that it can function well in all of these scenarios makes it an excellent all-rounder for those of us who don’t want to juggle three different headsets.

The aesthetic is fantastic, with quality to match, and versatility is second to none. Jack of all trades really is better than master of one and, if you need proof, look no further than the Logitech G Pro X.

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