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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The JBL Quantum 100 is budget-friendly, with a strong microphone quality that makes it great for gaming and phone calls. Although less comfortable and with slightly lower overall sound quality, it excels in noise isolation and has a boom mic style, which may be a consideration for frequent gamers. On the other hand, the Sennheiser HD 400S, generally slightly more expensive, is noted for its comfort, superior build quality, and better overall sound quality, making it an excellent choice for extended music listening sessions and travel. However, it lacks some gaming-oriented features like a detachable cable and built-in controls. Both models are wired, over-ear, and provide a closed-back experience, suitable for immersive listening without active noise cancellation. 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 Sennheiser HD 400S.
Advantages of the Sennheiser HD 400S
- Very good for phone calls
- Good for air travel
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Phone Calls
5.5
8.2
The Sennheiser HD 400S is very good for phone calls, while the JBL Quantum 100 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
4.5
7.6
The Sennheiser HD 400S is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JBL Quantum 100 is poor.
Cost
$40
$61
$0
$20
$40
$60
$80
$100
The JBL Quantum 100 has a price of $40 and the Sennheiser HD 400S costs $61.
Build Quality
6.5
8.5
The Sennheiser HD 400S has very good build quality, while the JBL Quantum 100 has only fair build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
7.0
7.1
The Sennheiser HD 400S and JBL Quantum 100 are both good for music.
Gaming
8.5
8.6
The Sennheiser HD 400S and JBL Quantum 100 are both very good for gaming.
TV and Video
7.1
7.6
The Sennheiser HD 400S and JBL Quantum 100 are both good for TV and video.
Noise Reduction
5.3
5.3
The JBL Quantum 100 and Sennheiser HD 400S are both poor for noise reduction.
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How the JBL Quantum 100 and the Sennheiser HD 400S compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| JBL Quantum 100 | Sennheiser HD 400S |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$40 | $61 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | JBL | Sennheiser | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2020 | January 1, 2019 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.5/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.6/10 | 8.7/10 | |
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 | 5.3/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | No | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 10/10 | 8.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 6.5/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 6/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 220 Grams | 213 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."
Sennheiser HD 400S
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Dig into reviews and images
Headphone Dungeon
Jim | August 2022
"Sennheiser has done it again. The HD 400S performs well beyond its price range and is one of the better budget model headphones I’ve tried. It has very few bells and whistles and offers a simple means of listening that still delivers amazing clarity and quality. If you need a good first pair of headphones or need something that you can take out of the house, then the HD 400S is definitely for you."
Get a great deal on the JBL Quantum 100 or the Sennheiser HD 400S
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 Sennheiser
A family-owned company, Sennheiser is a German, high fidelity, audio equipment manufacturer founded in 1945. Their consumer audio division is now owned by the Swiss hearing aid and cochlear implant manufacturer Sonova. Sennheiser offers a wide variety of, very high quality, audio equipment solutions, from headphones to earbuds, full sets of monitoring speakers, amplifiers and microphones. They also make what is widely regarded as the best, and most expensive, headphones in existence, the HE-1 Orpheus, costing a whopping $59,000 dollars.
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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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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.
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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.
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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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