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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The EPOS PC38X stands out with better sound quality, comfort, and microphone quality, offering an excellent experience for gaming, music, and calls. They have an open enclosure for a more natural soundstage but provide less noise isolation. The JBL Quantum 100, while more budget-friendly, has lower overall sound quality and comfort but has a closed design that provides better noise isolation, making it more suitable for environments where background noise is an issue. Both headsets feature a boom mic and are wired, with no wireless option. The high cost of the PC38X reflects its superior audio and build quality, but the Quantum 100 is a more economical choice if the budget is tight and noise isolation is important. 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 EPOS PC38X
- Best in class for music
- Best in class for phone calls
- Best in class for gaming
- Excellent for TV and video
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the JBL Quantum 100
- The JBL Quantum 100 has no clear advantages over the EPOS PC38X.
Key differences
Music
9.5
7.0
The EPOS PC38X is best in class for music, while the JBL Quantum 100 is good.
Gaming
10.0
8.5
The EPOS PC38X is best in class for gaming, while the JBL Quantum 100 is very good.
Phone Calls
10.0
5.5
The EPOS PC38X is best in class for phone calls, while the JBL Quantum 100 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.9
4.5
The EPOS PC38X is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JBL Quantum 100 is poor.
TV and Video
9.0
7.1
The EPOS PC38X is excellent for TV and video, while the JBL Quantum 100 is good.
Noise Reduction
2.5
5.3
The JBL Quantum 100 and EPOS PC38X are both poor for noise reduction, though the JBL Quantum 100 is somewhat better.
Cost
$139
$20
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The EPOS PC38X has a price of $139 and the JBL Quantum 100 costs $20.
Build Quality
8.5
6.5
The EPOS PC38X has very good build quality, while the JBL Quantum 100 has only fair build quality.
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How the EPOS PC38X and the JBL Quantum 100 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| EPOS PC38X | JBL Quantum 100 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$139 | $20 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | EPOS | JBL | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2020 | May 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 9.6/10 | 7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 10/10 | 5.5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 10/10 | 8.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 9.1/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.5/10 | 4/10 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | N/A | No | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 10/10 | 10/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 6/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 249.4 Grams | 220 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Boom | Boom | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
EPOS PC38X
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Dig into reviews and images
Everyday Listening
Ryan Soo | November 2021
"Lightweight and comfortable design, Mic arm with mute, Excellent tuning, Highly natural midrange voicing, Clean and separated bass, Solid soundstage dimensions. Combining all day comfort and integrated coms with a balanced and spacious sound from essentially any source, it is hard to deny the versatility and value provided by the PC38X."
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 EPOS PC38X or the JBL Quantum 100
About EPOS
EPOS is a relatively new company with a very long heritage. Previously known as Sennheiser Communications, EPOS is the result of the joint venture between the German headphone manufacturer Sennheiser and the Danish Demant that sought to develop premium audio communication solutions. They specialize in two main product groups, enterprise communications and gaming communication headsets and processing devices.
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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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.
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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.
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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.
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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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