JBL Quantum Stream Studio review: Great sound with little effort

There is likely to be reality to the axiom that “there aren’t any shortcuts to excellent sound,” nevertheless it doesn’t need to be prohibitive or sophisticated to sound good in video conferences utilizing a USB microphone. The necessities develop into increased for those who additionally document podcasts, music, or stream on YouTube or Twitch. o cowl every little thing from the newbie to extra skilled customers, JBL has launched a sequence of microphones, and right here we put probably the most luxurious amongst them to the take a look at.

JBL Quantum Stream Studio is the identify of the microphone, and for the additional cash you pay for it, in comparison with its Quantum Stream Discuss or Quantum Stream siblings, you get higher specs and some extra setting choices that I’ll get to shortly.

Additional studying: The very best USB microphones for streaming

Simple to get began

The microphone comes with a USB-C connector on the again and the wire that comes with it plugs right into a USB-A port on the gadget you wish to use. It wouldn’t harm if it was a USB-C to USB-C as an alternative, however for those who don’t need an adapter to your Mac, you merely need to get a brand new wire your self.

The Quantum Stream Studio is sweet to have a look at, feels properly made and of top quality, and is nothing you should be embarrassed about displaying off on video.

On the highest, there’s a button you’ll be able to contact to mute the microphone, which lights up with a purple ring to make it clear that no sound is being picked up. On the entrance is a wheel you should use to regulate each the achieve and quantity of the headphones (a 3.5mm jack is on the again). You can too choose one in every of 4 polar patterns on the contact of a button (the button is on the underside). You can too regulate how a lot you would possibly wish to hear your self within the headphones utilizing the wheel. It’s all very clear with completely different colours of the RGB ring and two small lights with mic and headphone icons relying on what you’re adjusting.

Proper out of the field, the microphone sounds nice, however let’s check out some specs as properly. You possibly can select a pattern charge between 44.1kHz and 192kHz and both 16 or 24 bits. The frequency vary is 50Hz to16kHz. JBL writes that the utmost SPL (sound strain restrict) is 110dB — it may well’t produce increased than that and the microphone might be broken.

Simply plug within the cable and select the fitting sound sources to start out utilizing this. There may be software program for the microphone, however just for PCs. Extra on that beneath.

Desk stand or increase arm or…

JBL has been intelligent with its mounting choices. You get a desk stand, and whereas that works okay if you consider the way you place it (near your mouth is essential), it’s also possible to screw the mic to a increase arm or different stand with a intelligent threaded screw mounting adapter that may be reversed relying on the scale and whether or not it’s male or feminine.

With the desk stand, it’s simple to by chance decide up keystrokes from the keyboard or vibrations from the desk prime, nevertheless it’s not almost as problematic for those who dangle it on a increase arm, primarily as a result of you may get nearer to your mouth with the arm. Additionally understand that it’s a must to speak into the facet of the microphone. On the highest there’s a contact button and for those who speak into the plastic there, it doesn’t sound nice.

JBL Quantum Engine (PC software program)

PC customers obtain Quantum Engine, software program the place you’ll be able to change the settings of the microphone. Crucial issues might be adjusted with the sliders straight on the gadget, so Mac customers, for instance, may also profit from this mic, however some issues can solely be accomplished with the software program, similar to adjusting the colours of the RGB lighting and EQ settings.

There are a couple of ready-made profiles you’ll be able to select for EQ, however I nonetheless desire the default. These will not be significantly superior settings (see screenshot beneath) — for example, the software program for the Logitech G Yeti GX, there are lots of extra variables to regulate.

The software program may also verify for updates to the microphone.

Do you have to purchase the JBL Quantum Stream Studio?

The JBL Quantum Stream Studio sounds actually good proper out of the field and is admirably simple to make use of, with the primary controls simple to achieve and handle proper on the gadget. It’s not the most affordable microphone you’ll find, and definitely not the most costly both, however you get rather a lot to your cash. For many who document audio for extra than simply video conferences, it is a good selection. If you happen to simply wish to sound higher in video conferences, there are less complicated and cheaper alternate options.

This evaluation was translated from Swedish to English and initially appeared on m3.se.