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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
Choosing between the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 and the JBL Quantum 100 depends on your priorities. If you're looking for portable earbuds with active noise cancelling and wireless features, such as for commuting or traveling, the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 would be suitable. These earbuds are also sweatproof, making them good for exercise. However, if you prioritize microphone quality for calls and meetings, and you are a gamer or enjoy watching TV and videos, the JBL Quantum 100 headphones, which feature a boom mic and virtual surround sound, may better suit your needs. Keep in mind the JBL is a budget-friendly option, whereas the Bowers and Wilkins come at a midrange price, but offer higher overall sound quality. 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 Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2
- Very good for air travel
Advantages of the JBL Quantum 100
- Good for music
- Very good for gaming
- Good for TV and video
Key differences
Gaming
5.3
8.5
The JBL Quantum 100 is very good for gaming, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.6
4.5
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 and JBL Quantum 100 are both poor for podcasts and audiobooks, though the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is somewhat better.
TV and Video
5.6
7.1
The JBL Quantum 100 is good for TV and video, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is poor.
Noise Reduction
8.3
5.3
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is very good for noise reduction, while the JBL Quantum 100 is poor.
Battery
5.0 Hours
N/A
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 has 5 hours of battery life. The JBL Quantum 100 does not have a battery.
Cost
$149
$20
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 has a price of $149 and the JBL Quantum 100 costs $20.
Build Quality
8.9
6.5
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 has very good build quality, while the JBL Quantum 100 has only fair build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
6.7
7.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers JBL Quantum 100 to be good for music, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is only fair.
Phone Calls
5.0
5.5
The JBL Quantum 100 and Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 are both poor for phone calls.
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How the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 and the JBL Quantum 100 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 | JBL Quantum 100 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$149 | $20 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Bowers and Wilkins | JBL | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2023 | May 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.8/10 | 7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.1/10 | 5.5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.3/10 | 8.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.3/10 | 4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 0.75 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | N/A | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 19 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 8.4/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 6.5/10 | 10/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.9/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 6 Grams | 220 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Boom | |
Shopping
Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2
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Dig into reviews and images
Major HiFi
Chris Golembeski | January 2023
"Bowers and Wilkins isn’t looking to make an obscure, premium wireless bud catered specifically towards audiophiles. Instead, it seems apparent that they’re going for the crown: a cool and popular look, an easy and comfortable fit, and an engaging stage with a great balance that is perfectly suited for mainstream listeners and audiophiles alike."
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 Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 or the JBL Quantum 100
About Bowers and Wilkins
Bowers and Wilkins is a British audio equipment manufacturer with a focus on innovation and product development. It was founded by a couple of real-life James Bonds, the co-founders John Bowers and Roy Wilkins, who met while working for MI6 during World War II. The company keeps being favored by enthusiasts due to their sound quality, craftsmanship and signature aesthetics.
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
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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