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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize sound isolation and in-ear comfort, consider the Etymotic ER4XR; these earbuds offer excellent noise isolation and detailed sound, but they may not be as comfortable during extended use for all users. On the other hand, the JBL Quantum 100, being over-ear headphones, will generally provide better comfort and a built-in microphone, making them more suited for gaming and calls. They won't isolate sound as effectively as the Etymotics and might not match their audio fidelity, but they are significantly more affordable. 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 Etymotic ER4XR
- Very good for music
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the JBL Quantum 100
- Very good for gaming
Key differences
Music
8.0
7.0
The Etymotic ER4XR is very good for music, while the JBL Quantum 100 is good.
Gaming
6.2
8.5
The JBL Quantum 100 is very good for gaming, while the Etymotic ER4XR is only fair.
Phone Calls
4.7
5.5
The JBL Quantum 100 and Etymotic ER4XR are both poor for phone calls, though the JBL Quantum 100 is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.3
4.5
The Etymotic ER4XR is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JBL Quantum 100 is poor.
Noise Reduction
9.1
5.3
The Etymotic ER4XR is excellent for noise reduction, while the JBL Quantum 100 is poor.
Cost
$234
$20
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
The Etymotic ER4XR has a price of $234 and the JBL Quantum 100 costs $20.
Build Quality
9.0
6.5
The Etymotic ER4XR has excellent build quality, while the JBL Quantum 100 has only fair build quality.
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Key similarities
TV and Video
7.4
7.1
The Etymotic ER4XR and JBL Quantum 100 are both good for TV and video.
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How the Etymotic ER4XR and the JBL Quantum 100 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Etymotic ER4XR | JBL Quantum 100 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$234 | $20 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Etymotic | JBL | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2016 | May 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8/10 | 7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.8/10 | 5.5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 8.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.4/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.1/10 | 4/10 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 9.1/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | N/A | No | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 10/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 6/10 | 6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4 Grams | 220 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Boom | |
Shopping
Etymotic ER4XR
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Dig into reviews and images
What HiFi?
What HiFi? | May 2015
"The Etymotic ER4XRs' top qualities are the detail and definition of the midrange, rewarding the closest listening. While the soundstage is large rather than gigantic, the excellent separation and spatial precision mean you can dive deep into music just as much as when wearing a pair of full-size open-backed headphones."
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 Etymotic ER4XR or the JBL Quantum 100
About Etymotic
Etymotic Research is an American based research, development and manufacturing company founded in 1983. They invented the first insert earphones that were used for the diagnosis and research of hearing loss and other auditory disorders. They went on to pioneer the market of high fidelity, isolating, in-ear earphones.
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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