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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-26 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
If you want a wired, USB-powered virtual 7.1 surround setup with a playful detachable cat-ear design, choose SOMIC G951black; if you need a wireless headset with up to 22 hours of battery and Xbox's Windows Sonic surround, choose JBL Quantum 360X.
• SOMIC G951black — biggest strength: A USB audio chip plus 40mm dynamic drivers deliver 7.1 virtual surround, and the detachable cat ears and breathing LED make it a stand-out pick for younger players and streamers.
• JBL Quantum 360X — biggest strength: Gaming-grade 2.4GHz wireless plus Bluetooth 5.2, up to 22 hours of battery life, and Windows Sonic surround on Xbox.
• JBL Quantum 360X — biggest trade-off: Its listed noise control is "None," so it relies on the earcup seal and memory foam fit rather than active noise cancellation.
• Who each pick is for: SOMIC G951black → the wired PC/console player who wants virtual 7.1 and a fun aesthetic; JBL Quantum 360X → the Xbox or cross-platform player who wants wireless freedom and long battery life.
The SOMIC G951black is built around one clear idea: plug in over USB and get 7.1 virtual surround from a built-in USB audio chip paired with 40mm high-resolution dynamic drivers. The frequency range spans 20Hz–22kHz at 32 ohm impedance and 100dB sensitivity, which is a sensible spec set for hearing the small stuff in a game — footsteps, reloads, directional cues — without needing an amp or a sound card. Because the surround processing lives in the headset's own USB chip rather than in software you install, the setup stays simple: it works with PC, laptop, PS4, PS5 and MAC over that USB connection.
Comfort is clearly a design priority. The earcups are over-ear with leather enclosure material, the headband is self-adjusting, and the mic rotates a full 360 degrees. The microphone is omnidirectional with noise-canceling tech, so it aims to keep your voice clear and cut down background noise when you are talking to a squad. There is also an on-earbud control platform for volume and mic mute, which is genuinely handy when you need to go silent mid-match without alt-tabbing.
Then there is the personality. The detachable cat ears are made of soft silicone and come off when you want a plainer look, and the breathing LED on the earcup adds a gaming glow. The theme is explicitly video game, the color is black, and the package includes the headset, one pair of detachable cat ears and a user manual.
JBL Quantum 360X: Who It's For
The JBL Quantum 360X takes the opposite approach: cut the cable. It uses gaming-grade lossless 2.4GHz wireless for low-latency audio with no drops, and it also supports Bluetooth 5.2 for phones and tablets. That dual-wireless design is the headline feature — you can move around the room, grab a drink, or switch between console and mobile without unplugging anything. It is positioned as a console over-ear gaming headset for Xbox, and it supports Windows Sonic surround sound on that platform. It also works with PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, PC and MAC.
Audio comes from 40mm dynamic drivers with a 20Hz–20kHz frequency range, 32 ohm impedance and 115dB sensitivity. JBL frames the tuning as its QuantumSOUND Signature — cinematic, with the goal of making quiet footsteps and loud explosions both read clearly. On the mic side, you get a detachable directional voice-focus boom mic with a mute feature, and the package even includes a windshield foam for it. The cups are over-ear with a memory foam comfort fit, the enclosure is plastic and fabric, and the whole headset weighs 252 grams, so it stays light for long sessions.
Battery life is where it separates itself: up to 22 hours of average life, with a 2-hour charge time and play-and-charge support. The controls are push-button with volume control, and the box includes the headset, a Type-C to Type-A charging cable, a USB audio adapter, the windshield foam, plus the usual documentation and a one-year manufacturer warranty.
Who should buy it: Xbox players who want surround through Windows Sonic, and anyone who values wireless freedom, Bluetooth for phone calls and music, and long battery life across multiple platforms. Who should skip it: people who specifically want active noise cancellation, since the noise control field is listed as "None," and players who prefer a purely wired, plug-and-play USB surround headset.
• Best for virtual 7.1 surround on PC → SOMIC G951black. Its USB audio chip and 40mm drivers are purpose-built for a wired virtual surround experience.
• Best for Xbox surround → JBL Quantum 360X. It is designed as an Xbox console headset and supports Windows Sonic surround sound.
• Best for battery life and wireless freedom → JBL Quantum 360X. Up to 22 hours of battery and 2.4GHz plus Bluetooth 5.2 beat a cable every time.
• Best for plug-and-play simplicity → SOMIC G951black. No charging, no pairing — one USB connection and you are in.
• Best for voice clarity with a boom mic → JBL Quantum 360X. A detachable directional voice-focus boom mic with mute is a more purpose-built comms setup.
• Best for a quieter, self-contained mic → SOMIC G951black. The omnidirectional mic uses noise-canceling tech to reduce background noise.
• Best for lightweight long sessions → JBL Quantum 360X. At 252 grams with memory foam cups, it is built to disappear on your head.
• Best for style and streaming presence → SOMIC G951black. Detachable silicone cat ears and breathing LED lighting are a look, not an afterthought.
• Best for mixed console and mobile use → JBL Quantum 360X. Bluetooth 5.2 covers phones and tablets that a USB-only headset cannot.
In my opinion, the JBL Quantum 360X is the one I would buy for most people. Wireless freedom, up to 22 hours of battery, Bluetooth 5.2 for phone use, a 252-gram memory foam fit and Windows Sonic surround on Xbox make it the more flexible headset for everyday play across more than one platform. I would only steer you to the SOMIC G951black if your setup is wired PC, laptop or PlayStation, and what you actually want is USB-powered 7.1 virtual surround with a rotating noise-canceling mic, a detachable cat-ear look and LED glow. Both are legitimate picks — they just solve different problems. Check the current price on Amazon before you commit, since that is the one number that decides these calls as often as the spec sheet does.
how to get surround sound headphones
"Surround" on headsets is almost always virtual, not physical multi-driver audio. On the SOMIC G951black, the 7.1 virtual surround comes from the built-in USB audio chip, so you just connect over USB. On the JBL Quantum 360X, surround is handled through the platform's Windows Sonic setting on Xbox.
how to make surround sound headphones
Make sure the headset is connected the way it was designed to be. The SOMIC G951black needs its USB connection for the 7.1 processing to work — a plain analog jack would not carry it. The JBL Quantum 360X relies on Windows Sonic, so you enable that in your Xbox/Windows audio settings and it applies the virtual surround.
how to test surround sound headphones
Play content with clear directional audio and listen for whether sounds move left, right, front and rear rather than just getting louder. Both headsets use 40mm dynamic drivers, so the difference you are judging is the surround processing and the fit — the JBL's memory foam cups and the SOMIC's leather over-ear seal both affect how convincing that effect feels.
how to fix surround sound headphones
If surround stops working, check the connection first: the SOMIC G951black needs its USB link intact, and the JBL Quantum 360X needs the 2.4GHz adapter or Windows Sonic enabled. Also confirm the headset is charged on the JBL side — it runs up to 22 hours, and wireless audio simply stops once the battery is out.
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See also: JBL Quantum 100 vs FIFINE H9, EPOS Gaming H3Pro vs syndesmos 2.4GHz: Surround Sound, ENHANCE PC Gaming Headset vs Redragon H260: Surround Sound