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JBL Quantum 360P review – a capable but not complete mid-ranger
10:06 pm | September 20, 2023

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Gaming Gaming Accessories | Comments: Off

If you’re shopping around the mid-range level of the best PS5 headsets, you may well find the JBL Quantum 360P wireless model. Looking to offer a value-busting wireless option for PS5, PS4, PC, and Nintendo Switch, the 360P is a capable though relatively unspectacular headset.

While it sports JBL’s reliable audio quality, making the sound of all media shine, the set is let down by tacky, cheap build quality, and sports a mic that is relatively unexceptional. It also has tough competition in the space in which it’s pitched and struggles to shine through - though there is no denying, particularly in isolation, the value it can offer if you’re after a solid and handy wireless PS5 headset that offers a pretty rich soundscape.

Price and availability

Coming in at $129.95 / £79.99 the JBL Quantum 360P sits squarely in the mid-range price bracket. Despite coming from a well-known and widely active brand, the JBL Quantum 360P isn’t currently available in Australia. The price is about right for its mid-range proposition, but would certainly be even more attractive should it receive price cuts price-cut treatment at retailers or during sales events. We often see headsets in this bracket try to push the value envelope - specifically with those offering wireless connectivity - so the Quantum 360P has to do exactly that right from the off.

As mentioned, the JBL Quantum 360P is stacking up against the likes of the official PS5 Pulse 3D wireless headset, the Logitech G535, and the Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 2 headset. This makes for tough company for the 360P with those competing headsets offering wonderful bang-for-buck value, top build quality, connectivity and flexibility, and excellent overall audio prowess. As a result, the Quantum 360P risks fading into the background of the conversation before it can even enter it. 

Design and features

Profile and detail shots of the JBL Quantum 360P wireless gaming headset

(Image credit: Future/Rob Dwiar)

The 360P’s design is immediately clear as something that’s geared toward being in keeping with the PS5’s own design aesthetic. White, black, and blue abound across the headband and the cups, and it looks right at home next to Sony’s console.

The headband offers some padding at the center which is a bit lean for my liking, and a little scant considering the north-of-$100 price tag. The leatherette cushioning on said cups is relatively comfortable and soft, but not the plushest or nicest I’ve experienced such as the ultra-comfy SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless. Still, overall comfort is adequate and feels fine for sessions lasting a few hours - though I did notice the headband being slightly uncomfortable over longer periods.

The earcups house all of the headset’s onboard features, as well as some light JBL branding which is unintrusive. On the right cup, there’s the power switch and the power/connection LED. The left houses the mic port, USB-C charging and connection port, charging LED, mic mute button, volume wheel, and game/chat balance wheel.

Where the cups fall short is in the build quality. They feel loose in the build and readily freewheel from the hinges about all of their axes. At best, this never screams top-end build quality, and at worst, it’s frankly annoying and makes the headset unwieldy in the hands. What makes this latter point worse is the tacky-feeling plastic that the headset is finished in all over. It’ll do a job of protecting the set from most bumps and drops, but it is far more representative of something cheaper than its price tag would suggest.

Profile and detail shots of the JBL Quantum 360P wireless gaming headset

(Image credit: Future/Rob Dwiar)

The headset offers a streamlined wireless focus, epitomized by the fact that there are no wired audio options on the 360P; no audio jack, and no audio through the USB-C port. What you get instead in this cord-free set is a 2.4GHz wireless connection via the dongle as well as a Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity option. Neat and focused, as I say, but it’s always a plus to have a physical, wired connection as a backup. Nonetheless, the 360P offers versatility by being compatible with PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switch, PC, mobile, and Mac.

While primarily geared toward PS5 and PS4 use, you can deploy the 360P on PC too, which will allow you to make the most of JBL’s Quantum software, where you can tinker and customize your EQs, mic levels, and spatial sound settings. However, it’s worth noting that settings are not stored on board, so can’t then be ‘taken back’ to another platform.

Lastly, JBL claims the Quantum 360P has a battery life of 22 hours when using the 2.4GHz connection, and 26 hours when using Bluetooth. In my testing, I have found this to be around right - I recently only had to put the headset on charge after 20-something hours of use (both 2.4GHz and Bluetooth).

Performance

Profile and detail shots of the JBL Quantum 360P wireless gaming headset

(Image credit: Future/Rob Dwiar)

No matter what you spend on a gaming headset, the proof is in the audio pudding. And in the Quantum 360P, the proof is very in keeping with JBL’s audio chops and known quality - no matter the media, the audio provided by the 360P is rich, rounded, and enjoyable.

To put the 360P through its paces, I tried several games and predominantly used it while getting the hours in for my Lies of P review, but also tested the set with Back 4 Blood with my friends, and when jumping back into Assassin’s Creed Valhalla (in preparation for Assassin’s Creed Mirage). Across all those games, the audio delivered to me was rich and certainly channeled JBL’s pedigree. The bass was particularly fulsome and rounded, and no details or audio cues, no matter how subtle were ever missing. 

Guns were punchy in Back 4 Blood, and the awful noises all the Ridden make throughout levels were nice and clear; every mechanical clang of Lies of P’s puppet enemies was well-presented, and the cacophony of busy boss fights was well-balanced too; and the sounds of Valhalla’s world from trees rustling to the swish of arrows was lovely. JBL’s audio quality is certainly in the 360P’s DNA and experiencing this through the set’s 40mm drivers (about par for this range of headset) is one of the 360P’s best features.

In practice, the game/chat dial is nice to have but a little inconsistent and the differences were subtle at best, and the dual connectivity is certainly nice to have - though is rapidly becoming the standard in 2023.

JBL’s audio quality extended to other media in my testing too. All music, pretty much across the board, was rich and detailed - from background video game soundtracks to country and heavy metal, the 360P did a top job of acting as a daily driver set of headphones for music, work, and everything else away from gaming too.

Profile and detail shots of the JBL Quantum 360P wireless gaming headset

(Image credit: Future/Rob Dwiar)

Audio downsides were not totally absent, however. I found the top end of the soundscape cut across other audio quite jarringly at times; even down to Slack notifications being a little tinny and echoey as they barged through music. It’s also worth noting that on consoles you won’t get any onboard or JBL-own surround sound features - you’ll get the PS5’s own benefits on that console, but anything else surround sound wise is reserved for PC only.

The microphone being detachable is a welcome move so as to offer a neat solution for when it’s not needed, however, it too is lacking in build quality and doesn’t scream of a more-than-$100-price standard. It wobbles a lot, doesn’t hold a strong bend, and is finished with a cheap-feeling rubber. Team this with a solid but unspecial quality of presenting and carrying my voice, and it’s another middling feature on the whole. It’s relentlessly fine and perfectly serviceable.

The JBL Quantum 360P really is the definition of an unspectacular, gets-the-job-done mid-range headset, but for something that’s on the expensive side of $100, folks should expect more - especially from the robustness, build quality, and design.

In the face of its peers, and while the audio quality and dual connectivity do save the 360P somewhat, on the whole, it doesn’t do an awful lot to stand out above the competition - which is fierce at this level. Personally, for something PS5-specific at this price point, I’d choose the Pulse 3D, and for something beefier and multi-platform, the Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 2. As a result, it’s hard to wholeheartedly recommend at its retail price - though it could be an attractive proposition during sales like the Black Friday gaming headset deals.

Should I buy the JBL Quantum 360P wireless headset?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

How we reviewed the JBL Quantum 360P headset

I used the JBL Quantum 360P headset as my daily audio-giver for PS5 and PC, for work and play, over the period of several weeks. As a result, I was able to test it with a variety of media, from different genres of games, meetings, and calls, to all kinds of music. I wore the headset for varying session lengths, from a couple of hours up to all day on my PC. The battery life I experienced was around that that JBL claim.

I was also able to directly compare the headset to my usual go-to PC set, the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro (2023), and my regular PS5 set, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless to see how the 360P fares against premium gaming headsets in both single player gaming, audio quality, and microphone qualities.

If you’re looking for a headset compatible with the other consoles, check out our guides to the best Nintendo Switch headsets, and best Xbox Series X headsets.

HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless
6:25 am | August 2, 2022

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Gaming Gaming Accessories | Tags: | Comments: Off

Editor's Note

• Original review date: August 2022
• No new version out
Launch price: $199 (about £179 / AU$280)
Official price now: $160 / £189.98 / AU$319

Updated: January 2024. The HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless sounds fantastic, delivering great-quality audio for that immersive gaming experience. However, what sets it apart from most wireless gaming headsets on the market is its battery life. Giving you a whopping 300-hour longevity, this is the best PC gaming headset you want if you hate having to charge every other day. It's also now slightly more affordable in the US at just $160. The rest of this review remains as previously published.

HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless: Two-minute review

The HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless headset has staked its claim as the wireless headset to beat, performing incredibly well in every test we threw at it. With 2.4 GHz wireless capability, incredible audio fidelity and impressive battery life, the Cloud Alpha Wireless is simply one of the best headsets you can buy right now.

The Cloud Alpha features strong aluminum frame construction, comfortable leatherette padding for your head, and a detachable microphone. Wireless capability is achieved via the USB-A wireless adapter that is included with the headset, and the USB-A wireless adapter works very well with USB-C dongles that are commonly used with some of the best gaming laptops on the market.

In terms of performance, the audio quality produced by the 50mm neodymium dual-chambered drivers is absolutely stunning. When you combine the already fantastic audio quality with the EQ presets featured in HyperX’s Ngenuity software, the Cloud Alpha produces some of the clearest audio of any headset in recent memory. 

The Ngenuity downloadable software from HyperX supports the DTS:X Spatial Audio surround sound format, and this software also gives you the ability to adjust EQ presets, create your own EQ presets, and adjust automatic power shut-off settings for the Cloud Alpha. Just be warned, HyperX’s Ngenuity software is available for PC only.

The microphone works incredibly well, from intense cooperative gaming to stuffy corporate video conferences. The bi-directional microphone has a frequency response of 50 Hz to 7.2 kHz, and this is tailored specifically to pick up the human voice, and also to reject background noise. You can rest assured that you’ll hear your friends and colleagues as if they were right next to you and they’ll hear you just fine.

HyperX makes the claim that the Cloud Alpha Wireless headset has 300 hours of battery life on a single charge, and they are not kidding. We have used this headset on a full charge for hours, with the headset still registering a 100% charge. The Cloud Alpha’s battery life is absolutely outstanding.

A big criticism of the Cloud Alpha is that the wireless USB adapter and detachable microphone can be misplaced, and this is an even bigger issue because there is NO Bluetooth or wired backup capability. If by some stroke of bad luck, you either break or lose the Cloud Alpha’s USB-A adapter, you’ve got yourself an expensive paperweight.

Barring that, however, the HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless isn't just among the best wireless gaming headsets, it's shoving aside its wired competition as well, and absolutely belongs on the list of best PC gaming headsets ever.

HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless: Price and availability

A HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless gaming headset on a glass desk

The HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless headband is incredibly comfortable. (Image credit: Future)
  • How much is it? $199 (about £179 / AU$280)
  • When is it available? Available now
  • Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK, and Australia

The HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless headset seems to be priced higher than average against comparable headsets; however, we'd argue that the Cloud Alpha has plenty of fantastic features to easily justify its price tag. Just make sure to check its compatibility. The Cloud Alpha does not play well with certain devices, like the XBox. 

HyperX’s Ngenuity software for Windows is available for free from the Microsoft store and the Ngenuity software expands the Cloud Alpha’s capabilities to include DTS:X Spatial Audio Surround Sound functionality, EQ presets, and microphone monitoring. 

Mac users can use the Cloud Alpha Wireless, but they won’t be able to download the Ngenuity software, which enables the DTS:X surround sound function, so they will lose out on some of its best features. The Cloud Alpha does work seamlessly with the PS4 and PS5, however.

For this price, it would be nice to have a backup wired or Bluetooth connectivity. There are competing headphones, such as the SteelSeries Arctis 9 Wireless, which offer both Wireless and Bluetooth connectivity for the same price as the Cloud Alpha. This is the biggest issue with the Cloud Alpha because if you lose the USB wireless adapter with no Bluetooth capability as another option, the Cloud Alpha won’t work.

  • Value: 4 / 5

HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless: Design

A HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless gaming headset on a glass desk

The HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless is incredibly well made. (Image credit: Future)
  • Solid construction
  • Incredibly comfortable

The HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless headset utilizes a sturdy aluminum frame, memory foam padding, and breathable leatherette coverings to provide plenty of comfort for hours of playing the best PC games

The entire headset (with microphone connected) weighs about 335 grams, so a little less than a pound. The ear pads fit very snug around the user’s ears, helping to reject outside or ambient noise, and the 50mm neodymium magnetic drivers feature two audio chambers: one for mid and high frequencies and one for low frequencies. This results in incredible audio fidelity so you can hear every audio nuance of your favorite games and movies.

The adjustable mic is placed very well on the Cloud Alpha. The microphone is adjustable and stays in place when adjusted, and the microphone is also detachable. All of the onboard controls are easily accessible, even while gaming. On the left ear cup, you’ll find the detachable microphone, power button, microphone mute/monitoring button, status LED, and USB-C charging port. The microphone has a modest LED indicator that lights up red when the microphone is muted. On the right ear cup, you’ll find the volume wheel.

The USB-A adapter is rather large for USB receivers. It’s very possible to accidentally break it if you forget that it’s there. The tradeoff is that this receiver boasts a range of 20 meters. However, in our tests, we’ve gotten an even better performance, with an actual wireless range of 30 meters or 100 feet (more on this below). 

  • Design: 5 / 5

HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless: Performance

A HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless gaming headset on a glass desk

As far as wireless performance and sound fidelity, few are going to beat this headset. (Image credit: Future)
  • Incredible range
  • Fantastic audio fidelity

The HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless headset produces some of the clearest audio we’ve heard out of any headset. Games, movies and music all sound amazing through the Cloud Alpha, and it sounds so good and feels so comfortable that you might not ever want to take it off. 

The Cloud Alpha boasts a frequency response of 15 Hz to 21 kHz (which is dog whistle territory), and having tested the frequency response, we can confidently say that all sound frequencies in the human hearing spectrum are projected very clearly. The upper limit of the Cloud Alpha’s volume level is not the loudest we’ve heard from a wireless headset, however, it is still loud enough for any application and it does help to protect your hearing.

The Cloud Alpha’s microphone is also great. During our testing, the Cloud Alpha seemed to have no trouble transmitting a perfectly audible signal to participants in a video conference or to teammates during sessions of Counter Strike. We even tried recording into Audacity using the Cloud Alpha’s microphone and the microphone seemed to pick up the user’s voice very clearly with no noticeable attenuation. 

The bi-directional microphone receives the user’s voice very well, though we’re a little puzzled about the use of a bi-directional microphone on a headset where a cardioid polar pattern would have made more sense. Nevertheless, the Cloud Alpha utilizes effective noise-canceling technology to transmit the user’s voice very clearly thanks to its frequency response of 50Hz to 7.2kHz, so voice capture is very clear despite a lot of background noise.

The range of the wireless adapter is also a standout feature. HyperX boasts a range of 20 meters (approx. 65 feet) before you lose wireless connection, but in our testing, we were able to walk outside and still get a clear reception (even through walls) for about 30 meters (approx. 100 feet) until we experienced a dropout. 

  • Performance: 5 / 5

HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless: Battery life

A HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless gaming headset on a glass desk

The microphone for the Cloud Alpha Wireless is detachable, and connectivity is only possible with the wireless dongle, so definitely don't lose either of these. (Image credit: Future)
  • Empty list

The HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless headset has an absolute best-in-class battery life among its competitors. HyperX claims that the Cloud Alpha Wireless is capable of around 300 hours of battery life on a single charge, with a full recharge from 0% taking a little under five hours. In our experience, this claim definitely holds up. 

Constant audio abuse from the music of Lorna Shore to gaming with Elden Ring should have diminished the charge from 100% to 90% within a single hour-long gaming session, but we were shocked that after playing almost four hours, we still had a 100% charge on the headset. We’ve been testing this headset for weeks on a single charge and have yet to get down to 50%. It’s going to be hard to top this battery life with any headset. 

  • Battery Life: 5 / 5

Should I buy a HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless?

A HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless gaming headset on a glass desk

The HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless is a best-in-class device with only a couple of points holding it back from perfection, but those points are definitely important. Don't lose or break that dongle! (Image credit: Future)

Buy it if...

Don't buy if...

Also consider

HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless: Report Card

  • First reviewed August 2022

How We Test

We pride ourselves on our independence and our rigorous review-testing process, offering up long-term attention to the products we review and making sure our reviews are updated and maintained - regardless of when a device was released, if you can still buy it, it's on our radar.

Read more about how we test

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