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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
For superior sound quality and soundstage, the Audio Technica ATH M40X excels, making them better for an immersive music experience and TV and video content. JBL Quantum 100 is also more suitable for podcasts and has a higher comfort score, suggesting better long-term wear for some users. If price is a significant factor, JBL Quantum 100 is less expensive and offers good overall functionality, while the ATH M40X is geared towards audiophiles seeking high fidelity audio, albeit at a higher cost. 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 Audio Technica ATH M40X
- Very good for music
- Very good for TV and video
- Good for air travel
Advantages of the JBL Quantum 100
- Very good for gaming
Key differences
Music
8.1
7.0
The Audio Technica ATH M40X is very good for music, while the JBL Quantum 100 is good.
Gaming
7.0
8.5
The JBL Quantum 100 is very good for gaming, while the Audio Technica ATH M40X is good.
Phone Calls
3.3
5.5
The JBL Quantum 100 and Audio Technica ATH M40X are both poor for phone calls, though the JBL Quantum 100 is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.1
4.5
The Audio Technica ATH M40X and JBL Quantum 100 are both poor for podcasts and audiobooks, though the Audio Technica ATH M40X is somewhat better.
TV and Video
8.7
7.1
The Audio Technica ATH M40X is very good for TV and video, while the JBL Quantum 100 is good.
Cost
$99
$40
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Audio Technica ATH M40X has a price of $99 and the JBL Quantum 100 costs $40.
Build Quality
8.2
6.5
The Audio Technica ATH M40X has very good build quality, while the JBL Quantum 100 has only fair build quality.
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Key similarities
Noise Reduction
5.3
5.3
The Audio Technica ATH M40X and JBL Quantum 100 are both poor for noise reduction.
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How the Audio Technica ATH M40X and the JBL Quantum 100 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica ATH M40X | JBL Quantum 100 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$99 | $40 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | JBL | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2014 | May 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.1/10 | 7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 3.3/10 | 5.5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7.1/10 | 8.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.8/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 4/10 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 5.3/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | No | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 10/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.2/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 6/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 245 Grams | 220 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Boom | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Audio Technica ATH M40X
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Dig into reviews and images
Soundguys
Lily Katz | August 2023
"If you were to pick one headset to fill all of your needs, the ATH-M40x is a great buy with its sub-$100 price tag, pleasant sound quality, and accessories. Whether you need to use it for live monitoring, a midnight editing session, or to underscore a campus walk, the Audio-Technica ATH-M40x is a great companion."
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 Audio Technica ATH M40X or the JBL Quantum 100
About Audio Technica
Audio Technica is a 60-year-old, Japan-based, professional audio equipment manufacturer. They started off making phonograph cartridges and have expanded their scope of products ever since to include extremely popular models of microphones and headphones. They have been the official audio equipment supplier of several editions of the Summer and Winter Olympics and every edition of the Grammy Awards since 1998.
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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Why trust us
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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