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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The JBL Quantum 100 is a budget-friendly option with a good microphone, making it suitable for calls and gaming, and it is relatively comfortable. Although the sound quality is average compared to pricier models, it provides good noise isolation and portability, making it a solid choice for general use. In contrast, the Sennheiser HD800S offers exceptional sound quality and a very wide soundstage, which is great for an immersive music experience or for watching TV and video content. It also scores high on comfort but note that it lacks a built-in microphone, making it unsuitable for calls. The Sennheiser HD800S is premium-priced and has an open design, meaning less isolation from external noise, and it isn't portable. If you value top-tier sound quality and can invest more, the HD800S is the superior option, but for everyday versatile use with an attractive price, the Quantum 100 is very adequate. 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 Sennheiser HD800S
- Best in class for music
- Best in class for TV and video
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
7.0
9.9
The Sennheiser HD800S is best in class for music, while the JBL Quantum 100 is good.
Gaming
8.5
7.5
The JBL Quantum 100 is very good for gaming, while the Sennheiser HD800S is good.
Phone Calls
5.5
5.0
The JBL Quantum 100 and Sennheiser HD800S are both poor for phone calls, though the JBL Quantum 100 is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
4.5
8.1
The Sennheiser HD800S is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JBL Quantum 100 is poor.
TV and Video
7.1
9.7
The Sennheiser HD800S is best in class for TV and video, while the JBL Quantum 100 is good.
Noise Reduction
5.3
2.5
The JBL Quantum 100 and Sennheiser HD800S are both poor for noise reduction, though the JBL Quantum 100 is somewhat better.
Cost
$23
$1,800
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
The JBL Quantum 100 has a price of $23 and the Sennheiser HD800S costs $1,800.
Build Quality
6.5
9.0
The Sennheiser HD800S has excellent build quality, while the JBL Quantum 100 has only fair build quality.
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How the JBL Quantum 100 and the Sennheiser HD800S compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| JBL Quantum 100 | Sennheiser HD800S |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$23 | $1,800 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | JBL | Sennheiser | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2020 | December 1, 2015 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7/10 | 10/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.5/10 | 5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.6/10 | 7.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.2/10 | 9.7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4/10 | 4.5/10 | |
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 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 6/10 | 10/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 220 Grams | 371.9 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."
Sennheiser HD800S
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Christian Thomas | March 2023
"The cans offer stellar sound quality, comfort, and good maintenance options—so they're an easy recommendation if you have the cash and the need for the last headphones you'll buy for years."
Get a great deal on the JBL Quantum 100 or the Sennheiser HD800S
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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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
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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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