JBL Quantum Stream Wireless Review: Simple and Portable

JBL Quantum Stream Wireless: minute review

If you’re a content creator who needs a portable microphone for a conference or even just to create videos on the go, you really can’t go wrong with the JBL Quantum Stream Wireless. This pocket-sized lavalier microphone comes with a convenient charging case, much like a pair of wireless headphones, and works seamlessly with your phone right out of the box. You simply plug in the included Lightning or USB-C adapter and you’re good to go.

During testing, I was impressed with the performance and found that the JBL Quantum Stream Wireless delivered clear sound even in fairly noisy environments, especially when combined with the noise-canceling features of the compatible JBL Headphones mobile app. The manufacturer claims 24-hour battery life, of which six hours from the microphone and another 18 from the charging case, and this figure is generally accurate – giving you more than enough charge to last you all day.

Factor in a few more handy features, like a mute button for the built-in microphone, and you’ve got a very solid overall package. My only complaint is that the included windshield, useful for outdoor recording, is a little uncomfortable to the touch and quite difficult to install securely.

Potential buyers should also consider whether they really need a lavalier microphone. Performance is good for a small, portable device, but you’ll still get excellent audio quality from many devices. best microphones for streaming – which would be the best choice if you want to record at home.

JBL Quantum Stream Wireless microphone and charging case.

(Image credit: Future)

JBL Quantum Stream Wireless: price and availability

$99.95 / £89.99
USB-C and Lightning options
Launched March 2024

The JBL Quantum Stream Wireless is available for $99.95/£89.99 directly from JBL and retailers like Amazon. This may seem like a fair amount to spend on any microphone, but it means this model sits well between super-budget offerings and more premium portable microphones from the likes of Rode and DJI. For example, the DJI Mic has two transmitters and the same storage space, but costs about twice as much as the JBL Quantum Stream Wireless.

JBL Quantum Stream Wireless: characteristics

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Price	$99.95 / £89.99
Polar diagram	Omnidirectional
Sampling frequency	48 kHz (ENC 16 kHz enabled)
Bitrate	16 bit
Frequency range	20 Hz – 20 kHz
Impedance	N/A

JBL Quantum Stream Wireless: design and features

Portable size
LED power indicators
Good application

The design of the JBL Quantum Stream Wireless has much in common with the design of conventional wireless gaming headphones. Its black carrying case is compact, with a subtle embossed JBL logo and a small row of four white LED lights that indicate the current charge level. On the back of the case, you’ll find a Type C charging port compatible with the included charging cable.

The top of the case opens like a hinged lid, revealing slots for an attachable microphone and dongle. Both are secured with magnets, although only the microphone has two metal contacts that allow it to charge while it’s in the case. By removing the microphone, you can get a better look at its design, which is mostly made of plastic. The front has a sleek ribbed design with a small JBL logo, while the back has a large clip for attaching to clothing.

There is a small button on the side of the microphone that allows you to quickly turn it off. There is also a bright LED indicator that glows red when the microphone is muted. Otherwise, it will flash white and then turn solid when paired with your phone.

Not much can be said about the key itself; it is rectangular, quite light and thin. It connects to your phone via a Type-C or Lightning connector depending on the model you choose, but also has its own USB port for pass-through charging. This is a great little feature that means you won’t have to worry about not being able to charge your phone while the microphone is in use.

Most of the microphone’s basic functions are accessed through the JBL Headphones mobile app or the JBL Quantum Engine PC software, both of which are compatible with this product. Given the clear focus on portability, I relied heavily on the app, which offers the ability to check battery levels, change microphone gain, enable AI noise reduction, switch between several preset effects, and adjust power settings such as LED brightness and auto shutdown. .

There’s nothing revolutionary about the software, but it has a decent range of options and, importantly, is very responsive and well presented.

JBL Quantum Stream Wireless microphone on a flat white surface.

(Image credit: Future)

JBL Quantum Stream Wireless: Performance

Effective noise reduction
Works well at events
Excellent battery life

It’s hard to fault the performance of the JBL Quantum Stream Wireless. I mainly tested the product at events, including the busy halls of Gamescom, and found that it did an excellent job of canceling out background noise and provided perfectly understandable recording despite its small size.

You do notice a drop in quality when it gets quite loud: my voice often takes on a slightly robotic quality in particularly large crowds, but this was still preferable to the frankly incomprehensible recordings produced by my phone’s microphone in the same areas. This is also true for its outdoor operation, especially when there is strong wind or vehicle traffic. Expect a more natural sound on a calm day.

It’s a bit of a shame, though, that the included windshield is so fiddly. It attaches to the top of the microphone through two small holes, but is quite difficult to line up. I found it difficult to do this in poor lighting and was often unsure if it was actually attached. This isn’t a deal-breaker, but it’s worth keeping in mind if you’re going to be using your windshield a lot.

In terms of battery life, the JBL Quantum Stream Wireless is more than capable. I only have to charge the case every couple of days with infrequent use, and the mic never cuts out during a recording session. If you don’t want to keep it turned on for hours on end, you won’t have any problems here.

Case for JBL Quantum Stream Wireless microphone on a flat white surface.

(Image credit: Future)

Should I buy the JBL Quantum Stream Wireless?

Buy if…

Don’t buy it if…

Also consider…

If you’re not sold on the JBL Quantum Stream Wireless, you might want to consider these two best microphones for gaming and content creation instead.

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Row 0 – Cell 0	JBL Quantum Stream Wireless	DJI microphone 2	JBL Quantum Stream Studio
Price	$99.95 / £89.99	$349 / £309	US$149.99 / £129.99 / AU$199.95
Polar diagram	Omnidirectional	Omnidirectional	Cardioid, Bidirectional, Omnidirectional, Stereo
Sampling frequency	48 kHz (ENC 16 kHz enabled)	48 kHz	44.1 kHz/48 kHz/96 kHz/192 kHz
Bitrate	16 bit	24-bit	16/24 bit
Frequency range	20 Hz – 20 kHz	50 Hz – 20 kHz	50 Hz – 16 kHz
Impedance	N/A	N/A	16/32 Ohm

The JBL Quantum Stream Wireless microphone case is open and empty.

(Image credit: Future)

How I tested the JBL Quantum Stream Wireless

Tested several months
Used at various events
Tried it indoors and outdoors

I tested the JBL Quantum Stream Wireless for about five months on an iPhone 15 Plus. During this time, I took the microphone to various gaming events and tested it in a variety of conditions, both indoors and outdoors. I thoroughly evaluated its performance and tested all the available features of the mobile application.

I compared it to a number of desktop microphones such as the Asus ROG Carynx, SteelSeries Alias, SteelSeries Alias Pro and others.

Find out more about how we test

First reviewed October 2024

JBL Quantum Stream Wireless Review: Simple and Portable

JBL Quantum Stream Wireless: minute review

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