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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Apple Airpods Max offers better noise isolation, is suitable for air travel, and has a higher build quality along with built-in controls optimized for Apple devices, but they come at a premium price. They also feature active noise cancelling and wireless connectivity, which the JBL Quantum 100 lacks, but the Airpods Max are heavier. In contrast, the JBL Quantum 100, being much less expensive, offers great microphone quality and is noted for its performance during gaming. It lacks wireless connectivity and noise cancelling capabilities, and it is not optimized for use with Apple products. If budget is a major concern, the JBL Quantum 100 is a strong contender, especially for gaming purposes, whereas the Airpods Max are more versatile, higher quality headphones suitable for a wide range of activities if you're willing to invest more. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Apple Airpods Max
- Excellent for air travel
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the JBL Quantum 100
- Very good for gaming
- Good for TV and video
Key differences
Gaming
5.5
8.5
The JBL Quantum 100 is very good for gaming, while the Apple Airpods Max is poor.
Phone Calls
6.6
5.5
The Apple Airpods Max is only fair for phone calls, while the JBL Quantum 100 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.0
4.5
The Apple Airpods Max is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JBL Quantum 100 is poor.
TV and Video
5.7
7.1
The JBL Quantum 100 is good for TV and video, while the Apple Airpods Max is poor.
Noise Reduction
10.0
5.3
The Apple Airpods Max is best in class for noise reduction, while the JBL Quantum 100 is poor.
Battery
21.0 Hours
N/A
The Apple Airpods Max has 21 hours of battery life. The JBL Quantum 100 does not have a battery.
Cost
$549
$20
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
The Apple Airpods Max has a price of $549 and the JBL Quantum 100 costs $20.
Build Quality
9.0
6.5
The Apple Airpods Max has excellent build quality, while the JBL Quantum 100 has only fair build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
7.3
7.0
The Apple Airpods Max and JBL Quantum 100 are both good for music.
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How the Apple Airpods Max and the JBL Quantum 100 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple Airpods Max | JBL Quantum 100 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$549 | $20 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | JBL | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2020 | May 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.4/10 | 7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 6.6/10 | 5.5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.5/10 | 8.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.8/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.2/10 | 4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 21 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 10/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | No | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | 10/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 6/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 385.5 Grams | 220 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Boom | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Apple Airpods Max
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Adam Molina | July 2023
"Objectively, the AirPods Max is a spectacular pair of headphones. I appreciate the smart features like auto-pause and the transparency mode are super practical. It also sounds great, is well-built, and has solid battery life."
JBL Quantum 100
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Dig into reviews and images
CNN Underscored
Wes Davis | July 2023
"I appreciate a functional piece of tech as much as I do gear on the bleeding edge, and the JBL Quantum 100 certainly falls in the former category. The sound is reasonably good, the built-in microphone is surprisingly reliable and it has a thoughtful design for the price. It lacks the convenience of Bluetooth, sure, but sometimes it’s nice not to have to worry about the finicky nature of wireless communication and go with good old hard-wired tech."
Get a great deal on the Apple Airpods Max or the JBL Quantum 100
About Apple
Apple Inc. is an American technology company, founded in 1976, known for its wide range of premium products, including smartphones, computers, and audio solutions. Apple offers the very popular personal audio line AirPods, highly regarded for their wireless, smart capabilities and their seamless integration with the iPhone, iPad and Mac devices. They provide a high-quality sound, comfort and lifestyle features perfect for all users invested in their ecosystem.
About JBL
JBL is an American audio equipment manufacturer. Owned by Harman International which is, itself, owned by Samsung Electronics. JBL markets a wide array of monitoring speakers, professional headphones and consumer market headphones and earbuds. It was founded in 1946 by James Bullough Lansing (whose initials give the company its name) and has become one of the most prolific audio companies ever. Their products were responsible for audio during the 1969 Woodstock Festival.
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This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec earbuds & headphones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest earbuds or headphones information and makes it digestible for you.
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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Earbuds and Headphones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Luis Torres
Earbuds and Headphones Expert
Luis is a Mexico-based headphones expert. He’s been making headphone recommendations for five years and has close to 100 pairs in his personal collection.
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