The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The JBL Quantum 100, being over-ear headphones, typically offer a more immersive experience with a better soundstage, which can be important for gaming. They also have a higher mic quality, which is useful for calls or multiplayer gaming communication. On the other hand, the Moondrop Chu earbuds provide superior overall sound quality and are more portable and lighter, making them a better choice for everyday listening, especially for music or books/podcasts. Neither option supports wireless connectivity or active noise cancellation, but if your priority is sound for music or portability, Moondrop Chu would be the more cost-effective option, whereas JBL Quantum 100 would be more suitable for immersive gaming experiences and scenarios requiring a good quality microphone. 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 Moondrop Chu.
Advantages of the Moondrop Chu
Very good for phone calls
Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
7.0/10
7.9/10
The Moondrop Chu and JBL Quantum 100 are both good for music, though the Moondrop Chu is somewhat better.
Gaming
8.5/10
8.0/10
The JBL Quantum 100 and Moondrop Chu are both very good for gaming, though the JBL Quantum 100 is somewhat better.
Phone Calls
5.5/10
8.8/10
The Moondrop Chu is very good for phone calls, while the JBL Quantum 100 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
4.5/10
7.6/10
The Moondrop Chu is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JBL Quantum 100 is poor.
Noise Reduction
5.3/10
6.0/10
The Moondrop Chu is only fair for noise reduction, while the JBL Quantum 100 is poor.
Cost
$23
$15
$0
$10
$20
$30
$40
$50
The JBL Quantum 100 has a price of $23 and the Moondrop Chu costs $15.
Build Quality
6.5/10
8.5/10
The Moondrop Chu has very good build quality, while the JBL Quantum 100 has only fair build quality.
"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."
"These budget buds put the pressure on those premium priced in-ear monitors to really justify the cost disparity. Offering excellent sound quality at any price, the Moondrop Chu is both a perfect entry into the audio enthusiast hobby, and an all around good pick for music fans."
Get a great deal on the JBL Quantum 100 or the Moondrop Chu
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 Moondrop
Moondrop is a Chinese brand of smart audio equipment, portable audio players, earbuds and headphones started in 2015. During the last few years they have become one of the major players in what is lovingly referred to as the Chi-fi market, the bulk of Chinese companies that have managed to actually compete with the western manufacturers in both prices and superior quality. Products such as the Blessing II, Chu and Kato are among the most popular offerings of the brand, more popular among those users that wish for good quality audio that won't break the bank. Besides audio, the brand also works in what they call the ACGN field (Animation, Comics, Games and Short Novels).
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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
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
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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.