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Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The JBL Live Free NC+ earbuds offer active noise cancelling which is ideal for air travel and noisy environments, making them suitable if you need to isolate from outside noise. They're also sweatproof and have a wireless design, which is convenient during exercise. However, these earbuds have lower scores in gaming and TV/video, where low latency is important, hence they may not be the best choice for those activities. The JBL Quantum 100 headphones, on the other hand, excel in gaming thanks to their higher gaming score and boast a far better mic quality, which is beneficial for calls and multiplayer gaming communication; although, they lack wireless connectivity and active noise cancelling, which compromises convenience and noise isolation. If your priority is active noise cancellation and wireless freedom, choose the JBL Live Free NC+. If you prioritize gaming, communication, and a lower price point, go for the JBL Quantum 100. 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 JBL Live Free NC+
- Good for phone calls
- Good for exercise
- Very 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
5.8
7.0
The JBL Quantum 100 is good for music, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Gaming
5.0
8.5
The JBL Quantum 100 is very good for gaming, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Phone Calls
7.6
5.5
The JBL Live Free NC+ is good for phone calls, while the JBL Quantum 100 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.4
4.5
The JBL Live Free NC+ is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JBL Quantum 100 is poor.
TV and Video
5.6
7.1
The JBL Quantum 100 is good for TV and video, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Noise Reduction
7.0
5.3
The JBL Live Free NC+ is good for noise reduction, while the JBL Quantum 100 is poor.
Battery
5.0 Hours
N/A
The JBL Live Free NC+ has 5 hours of battery life. The JBL Quantum 100 does not have a battery.
Cost
$60
$20
$0
$20
$40
$60
$80
$100
The JBL Live Free NC+ has a price of $60 and the JBL Quantum 100 costs $20.
Build Quality
8.5
6.5
The JBL Live Free NC+ has very good build quality, while the JBL Quantum 100 has only fair build quality.
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How the JBL Live Free NC+ and the JBL Quantum 100 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| JBL Live Free NC+ | JBL Quantum 100 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$60 | $20 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | JBL | JBL | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 1, 2021 | May 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 5.9/10 | 7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7.6/10 | 5.5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5/10 | 8.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 7.7/10 | 4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.3 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.1 | N/A | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 18 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 7/10 | 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 | 7/10 | 10/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 7 Grams | 220 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Boom | |
Shopping
JBL Live Free NC+
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Dig into reviews and images
HeadphoneCheck
Maike Paeßens | 2020
"JBL has added great-sounding, rock-solid all-rounders with a pleasant, warm sound character to their range. They are equipped with a high level of functionality that can be customised via the app. Some compromises have to be made with the active noise cancellation, which has a discreet effect, while the ambient mode and the Talkthru function proved to be powerful despite a perceptible background noise."
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 JBL Live Free NC+ or the JBL Quantum 100
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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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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