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Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The JBL Quantum 100 is a budget-friendly choice, excelling in gaming with good mic quality and soundstage, but it's wired only and not suitable for exercise. The Marshall Major IV costs more but offers better overall sound quality, comfort, and wireless listening with a lengthy battery life and integrated microphone, though it's not optimized for gaming. If you're a gamer or on a strict budget, consider the JBLs; if you're after superior music listening and wireless freedom, the Marshalls might be worth the extra cost. 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
- Good for music
- Very good for gaming
- Good for TV and video
Advantages of the Marshall Major IV
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Gaming
8.5
5.4
The JBL Quantum 100 is very good for gaming, while the Marshall Major IV is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
4.5
6.1
The Marshall Major IV is only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JBL Quantum 100 is poor.
TV and Video
7.1
5.7
The JBL Quantum 100 is good for TV and video, while the Marshall Major IV is poor.
Battery
N/A
80.0 Hours
The JBL Quantum 100 does not have a battery. The Marshall Major IV has 80 hours of battery life.
Cost
$40
$100
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The JBL Quantum 100 has a price of $40 and the Marshall Major IV costs $100.
Build Quality
6.5
8.5
The Marshall Major IV has very good build quality, while the JBL Quantum 100 has only fair build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
7.0
6.6
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers JBL Quantum 100 to be good for music, while the Marshall Major IV is only fair.
Phone Calls
5.5
5.8
The Marshall Major IV and JBL Quantum 100 are both poor for phone calls.
Noise Reduction
5.3
5.6
The Marshall Major IV and JBL Quantum 100 are both poor for noise reduction.
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How the JBL Quantum 100 and the Marshall Major IV compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| JBL Quantum 100 | Marshall Major IV |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$40 | $100 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | JBL | Marshall | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2020 | October 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7/10 | 6.6/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.5/10 | 5.8/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.6/10 | 5.5/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.2/10 | 5.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4/10 | 6.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 80 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 3 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 5.3/10 | 5.7/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | No | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | No | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 10/10 | 9/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 6.5/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 6/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 220 Grams | 165 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Boom | Integrated | |
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."
Marshall Major IV
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Jasper Lastoria | September 2023
"The Marshall Major IV shares quite a bit in common with its predecessor, but a key upgrade appears to be softer ear cushions. They make upgrading worth it. As a set of basic wired or wireless headphones the Major IV ticks most boxes by remaining easy to use, and fairly comfortable (at least, as on-ear headphones go)."
Get a great deal on the JBL Quantum 100 or the Marshall Major IV
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.
By the numbers
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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.
Jason Lew
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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