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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize overall sound quality and comfort, the Koss Porta Pro with mic would be the better choice, as it scores higher in those aspects. They are suitable for a variety of audio content and are foldable for better portability but have an open-back design which offers less noise isolation and could leak sound, potentially disturbing those nearby. On the other hand, the JBL Quantum 100, being less expensive, offers excellent microphone quality and better score for gaming and watching TV, thanks to its closed-back design which provides better noise isolation. Keep in mind, neither has wireless capability, so you'll be dealing with cables either way. 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
- The JBL Quantum 100 has no clear advantages over the Koss Porta Pro (with mic).
Advantages of the Koss Porta Pro (with mic)
- Very good for music
Key differences
Music
7.0
8.2
The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) is very good for music, while the JBL Quantum 100 is good.
Phone Calls
5.5
6.1
The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) is only fair for phone calls, while the JBL Quantum 100 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
4.5
6.8
The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) 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 (with mic) and JBL Quantum 100 are both good for TV and video, though the Koss Porta Pro (with mic) is somewhat better.
Noise Reduction
5.3
2.5
The JBL Quantum 100 and Koss Porta Pro (with mic) are both poor for noise reduction, though the JBL Quantum 100 is somewhat better.
Cost
$40
$60
$0
$20
$40
$60
$80
$100
The JBL Quantum 100 has a price of $40 and the Koss Porta Pro (with mic) costs $60.
Build Quality
6.5
6.0
The JBL Quantum 100 and Koss Porta Pro (with mic) both have only fair build quality, though the JBL Quantum 100 has somewhat better build quality.
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Key similarities
Gaming
8.5
8.2
The JBL Quantum 100 and Koss Porta Pro (with mic) are both very good for gaming.
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How the JBL Quantum 100 and the Koss Porta Pro (with mic) compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| JBL Quantum 100 | Koss Porta Pro (with mic) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$40 | $60 | ||
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 | 6.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.6/10 | 8.2/10 | |
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 | 6.5/10 | |
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 | In-Line | |
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 (with mic)
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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 (with mic)
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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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
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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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