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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-07 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
• JBL Quantum 910X biggest strength: Wireless 2.4 GHz low-latency audio, Active Noise Cancelling, 50mm Hi-Res drivers, 37 hours of battery, and dual-source Bluetooth 5.2 so game audio and chat can run at the same time.
• JBL Quantum 910X biggest trade-off: It's the heavier of the two at 420 g, and it leans on dongles and software (QuantumENGINE on PC) to unlock its full spatial audio.
• Nacon RIG R5 biggest strength: A light 336 g wired build with 40mm graphene drivers, Tempest 3D Audio on PS5, and a flip-to-mute mic — plug in and play, no charging.
• Nacon RIG R5 biggest trade-off: It's wired only, with a 1.5 m cable and no Bluetooth or ANC, so it's tethered to whatever you plug it into.
• Who each is for: JBL Quantum 910X suits multi-platform players who want wireless freedom, noise cancelling and long battery life. Nacon RIG R5 suits PlayStation-focused competitive players who want a light, fuss-free wired set.
The Quantum 910X is the "cover every base" option. It runs a 2.4 GHz wireless connection through a USB-A dongle (with a USB-A to USB-C converter included), and it also supports Bluetooth 5.2. That dual-source design is the standout feature for me: you can keep the dongle handling your game while Bluetooth handles a phone call or music, and the game audio-chat dial lets you rebalance the two on the fly without pausing. For anyone who games and talks at the same time, that's genuinely useful.
On the audio side, JBL uses 50mm dynamic neodymium drivers with Hi-Res certification and a gaming-tuned curve. Spatial audio comes in two flavors — QuantumSPATIAL 360 with integrated head tracking over the dongle on Xbox, PlayStation and Switch, and QuantumSPHERE 360 via QuantumENGINE on Windows 10/11. Active Noise Cancelling is tuned for gaming environments, so a noisy room gets pushed back. Battery is rated at up to 37 hours with the dongle (up to 42 hours over Bluetooth), and you can play and charge at the same time with the included USB cable. Charge time is about 3.5 hours.
Who should buy it: multi-platform players bouncing between console and PC, people who want wireless plus ANC, and anyone who values long battery life. It also deserves a mention for smaller-head comfort — the oval over-ear design and adjustable fit tend to sit more securely than bulky gamer cans, which is why it keeps coming up when people search for the best headphones for small ears.
Who should skip it: if you only ever play on PlayStation and hate charging things, the wireless overhead (and the 420 g weight) may feel like more than you need.
The RIG R5 Spear PRO HS is the opposite philosophy: wired, light, and pointed straight at competitive play. It's officially licensed for PlayStation 5 and PS4, and it connects with a universal 3.5mm TRRS plug on a 1.5 m cable with in-line volume control. No dongle, no pairing, no battery — plug it in and go. At 336 g it's noticeably lighter than the JBL, and Nacon leans into that with memory-foam-lined ear cushions, an adjustable headband and size sliders.
The drivers are 40mm graphene-coated units with under 0.5% harmonic distortion and a 20 Hz–40 kHz frequency range. Nacon tunes the signature with a boost in the upper mid-range, which is exactly where footsteps and reload sounds live — the company name-drops shooters like Call of Duty, Battlefield and DOOM as the target. Tempest 3D Audio on PS5 is supported, and graphene's stiffness is claimed to sharpen directionality and localization. The mic is a 6mm flip-to-mute boom with a 50 Hz–15 kHz range. There's also a SNAP+LOCK Mod-Plate system for swapping cosmetic plates across the R5 series (plates sold separately).
Who should buy it: PS5/PS4 players who want a light, wired, low-distortion headset for shooters, plus anyone on PC who prefers analog and wants zero charging hassle. The lighter frame and memory foam also make it a reasonable fit for smaller heads.
Who should skip it: if you want wireless freedom, Bluetooth, or active noise cancelling, this isn't the one — it's analog only, and its "sound isolation" is passive, not ANC.
• Best for wireless freedom → JBL Quantum 910X. 2.4 GHz dongle plus Bluetooth 5.2, no cable required.
• Best for long sessions without charging → JBL Quantum 910X. Up to 37 hours with the dongle, up to 42 over Bluetooth, and it charges while you play.
• Best for quiet environments on demand → JBL Quantum 910X. Active Noise Cancelling tuned for gaming, plus a game/chat balance dial.
• Best for PlayStation-first competitive play → Nacon RIG R5. Officially licensed for PS5/PS4 with Tempest 3D Audio and a shooter-tuned upper-mid boost.
• Best for low-distortion positional audio → Nacon RIG R5. Graphene drivers with under 0.5% harmonic distortion and a 20 Hz–40 kHz range.
• Best for plug-and-play simplicity → Nacon RIG R5. Universal 3.5mm, in-line volume, flip-to-mute mic, nothing to charge.
• Best for lighter weight → Nacon RIG R5. 336 g versus 420 g on the JBL.
• Best for small ears and smaller heads → JBL Quantum 910X. Oval over-ear cups with an adjustable, secure fit; I'd lean here for the "best headphones for small ears" crowd, though the R5's lighter frame is a close second.
If I had to pick one for most people, I'd buy the JBL Quantum 910X. It covers more ground: wireless, Bluetooth dual-source, ANC, 37 hours of battery, and 50mm Hi-Res spatial audio across Xbox, PlayStation, Switch and PC. For a buyer who wants one headset for everything — and especially for someone with smaller ears who needs a secure, comfortable over-ear fit — it's the more versatile pick. I'd choose the Nacon RIG R5 only if you're PlayStation-first, want the lightest wired option, and never want to think about charging. Either way, check the current price on Amazon before you commit, since that's the one thing specs can't tell you.
FAQ
how much gaming headphones
how to game with bluetooth headphones
You can, but latency is the catch. Bluetooth is fine for casual and single-player games, while a 2.4 GHz dongle is better for competitive play. The JBL Quantum 910X gives you both: the dongle for low-latency gaming and Bluetooth 5.2 for calls and music at the same time.
is gaming better with headphones
For most players, yes. A headset isolates game-critical detail — footsteps, reloads, directional cues — far better than TV speakers. That's the whole point of the R5's upper-mid boost and the JBL's head-tracked spatial audio; both exist to make those cues easier to place.
are gaming headphones good for calls
It depends on the mic and connection. The Nacon RIG R5 uses a 6mm flip-to-mute boom mic with a 50 Hz–15 kHz range, which is fine for game chat. The JBL Quantum 910X pairs its boom mic with Bluetooth 5.2 dual-source, so you can take a phone call while the dongle keeps your game audio running.
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