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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
JBL Quantum 100 is a solid choice for gaming and comes with a built-in microphone, which makes it great for calls and online multiplayer games. However, its closed-back design and lesser sound quality could limit the immersive experience when listening to music. Koss Porta Pro is known for its high-quality sound and open-back design which offers a more spacious and immersive audio experience, but this comes with less noise isolation and no microphone for calls. If you prioritize gaming and calls, Quantum 100 would suit you better, while for superior music listening, you might prefer Porta Pro despite it being slightly more expensive. 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 Quantum 100
- Very good for gaming
Advantages of the Koss Porta Pro
- Very good for music
Key differences
Music
7.0
8.2
The Koss Porta Pro is very good for music, while the JBL Quantum 100 is good.
Gaming
8.5
6.4
The JBL Quantum 100 is very good for gaming, while the Koss Porta Pro is only fair.
Phone Calls
5.5
4.3
The JBL Quantum 100 and Koss Porta Pro are both poor for phone calls, though the JBL Quantum 100 is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
4.5
6.8
The Koss Porta Pro is only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JBL Quantum 100 is poor.
TV and Video
7.1
7.6
The Koss Porta Pro and JBL Quantum 100 are both good for TV and video, though the Koss Porta Pro is somewhat better.
Noise Reduction
5.3
2.5
The JBL Quantum 100 and Koss Porta Pro are both poor for noise reduction, though the JBL Quantum 100 is somewhat better.
Cost
$20
$49
$0
$10
$20
$30
$40
$50
The JBL Quantum 100 has a price of $20 and the Koss Porta Pro costs $49.
Build Quality
6.5
6.0
The JBL Quantum 100 and Koss Porta Pro both have only fair build quality, though the JBL Quantum 100 has somewhat better build quality.
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How the JBL Quantum 100 and the Koss Porta Pro compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| JBL Quantum 100 | Koss Porta Pro |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$20 | $49 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | JBL | Koss | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2020 | January 1, 1984 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7/10 | 8.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.5/10 | 4.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.6/10 | 6.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.2/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4/10 | 4.2/10 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 5.3/10 | 2.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 10/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 6.5/10 | 6/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 6/10 | 7/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 220 Grams | 63.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Boom | N/A | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
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."
Koss Porta Pro
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Dig into reviews and images
Headphones.com
Sebastian Taboada | February 2022
"It’s clear to see why these have been such a popular choice amongst listeners for nearly four decades. It’s a charming pair of headphones that delivers a truly enjoyable listening experience and one that I think punches well above its weight."
Get a great deal on the JBL Quantum 100 or the Koss Porta Pro
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.
About Koss
Koss is an American headphone manufacturer established in 1953. In 1958, they created the first set of stereophones, that is headphones with stereo sound, and in 1984 they released the world-famous Porta Pro, a set of on-ear headphones that has remained essentially unchanged for more than 30 years and that is still made, sold and loved by many audio enthusiasts around the world today.
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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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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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