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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Grado GT220 earbuds offer a premium sound quality compared to the JBL Quantum 100 headphones and are more suited for wireless use with reasonable built-in controls, making them a good fit for music enthusiasts who prioritize audio performance and portability. However, they are not optimal for gaming or TV due to lesser soundstage and imaging. Meanwhile, the JBL Quantum 100 is designed with a better mic, making it ideal for gaming, and their over-ear design could provide better noise isolation and comfort for long sessions, but they lack wireless capability. The Grado GT220 are stemless and compact which is convenient for exercise and travel, while the JBL's over-ear build is less portable. Your choice should reflect whether superior sound quality for music and portability (Grado GT220) or budget-friendliness with a focus on gaming and calls (JBL Quantum 100) is more important for your needs. 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 Grado GT220
- Good for air travel
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the JBL Quantum 100
- Good for music
- Very good for gaming
- Good for TV and video
Key differences
Music
6.3
7.0
The JBL Quantum 100 is good for music, while the Grado GT220 is only fair.
Gaming
5.1
8.5
The JBL Quantum 100 is very good for gaming, while the Grado GT220 is poor.
Phone Calls
6.9
5.5
The Grado GT220 is only fair for phone calls, while the JBL Quantum 100 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.8
4.5
The Grado GT220 is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JBL Quantum 100 is poor.
TV and Video
5.5
7.1
The JBL Quantum 100 is good for TV and video, while the Grado GT220 is poor.
Battery
5.5 Hours
N/A
The Grado GT220 has 5.5 hours of battery life. The JBL Quantum 100 does not have a battery.
Cost
$259
$20
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
The Grado GT220 has a price of $259 and the JBL Quantum 100 costs $20.
Build Quality
8.8
6.5
The Grado GT220 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 Grado GT220 and JBL Quantum 100 are both poor for noise reduction.
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How the Grado GT220 and the JBL Quantum 100 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Grado GT220 | JBL Quantum 100 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$259 | $20 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Grado | JBL | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2020 | May 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.4/10 | 7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7/10 | 5.5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.2/10 | 8.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.5/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.2/10 | 4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5.5 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | N/A | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 36 | N/A | |
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 | |
Android App | |||
Android App | No | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | No | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 6/10 | 10/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.8/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 5 Grams | 220 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Boom | |
Shopping
Grado GT220
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Dig into reviews and images
Major HiFi
Alex Schiffer | October 2020
"With its superb and functional interface and its highly satisfying imaging, Grado has shown a new talent for delivering a solid true wireless system, and with future improvements, has the potential to really be one of the best."
JBL Quantum 100
See more
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 Grado GT220 or the JBL Quantum 100
About Grado
Grado Labs is a small, family-owned, business based in Brooklyn New York that specializes in high-end, boutique, dynamic headphones and turntable cartridges. They boast a particular house sound, that is to say their products have a particular sound signature unique to Grado, that some audiophiles seem to really like and are unable to find anywhere else. Their high-end headphones are all hand made, completely in house, from a variety of exotic woods and materials going so far as to making one of their most popular products out of hemp.
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.
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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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