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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 10, 2024·
If gaming and having a high-quality microphone are your top priorities, the JBL Quantum 100 with its 'boom' mic and better gaming score would be the better choice despite being more expensive. For general use and a tighter budget, the Sony MDR-ZX110, which is less expensive, would suffice, but it has a lower mic quality and is not as suited for gaming. Neither model supports wireless connectivity, so consider this if cord-free listening is important to you. Both are similar in comfort, with the Quantum 100 being slightly heavier, which may affect long-term wear. Neither earphone is optimized for exercise, travel, or noise isolation, so if those features are essential, you might want to look at other options. 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
- Good for TV and video
Advantages of the Sony MDR-ZX110
- The Sony MDR-ZX110 has no clear advantages over the JBL Quantum 100.
Key differences
Music
7.0
7.6
The Sony MDR-ZX110 and JBL Quantum 100 are both good for music, though the Sony MDR-ZX110 is somewhat better.
Gaming
8.5
5.9
The JBL Quantum 100 is very good for gaming, while the Sony MDR-ZX110 is poor.
Phone Calls
5.5
3.0
The JBL Quantum 100 and Sony MDR-ZX110 are both poor for phone calls, though the JBL Quantum 100 is somewhat better.
Cost
$20
$10
$0
$10
$20
$30
$40
$50
The JBL Quantum 100 has a price of $20 and the Sony MDR-ZX110 costs $10.
Build Quality
6.5
6.0
The JBL Quantum 100 and Sony MDR-ZX110 both have only fair build quality, though the JBL Quantum 100 has somewhat better build quality.
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Key similarities
Podcasts and Audiobooks
4.5
4.3
The JBL Quantum 100 and Sony MDR-ZX110 are both poor for podcasts and audiobooks.
TV and Video
7.1
6.9
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers JBL Quantum 100 to be good for TV and video, while the Sony MDR-ZX110 is only fair.
Noise Reduction
5.3
5.3
The JBL Quantum 100 and Sony MDR-ZX110 are both poor for noise reduction.
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How the JBL Quantum 100 and the Sony MDR-ZX110 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| JBL Quantum 100 | Sony MDR-ZX110 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$20 | $10 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | JBL | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2020 | July 1, 2015 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.5/10 | 3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.6/10 | 5.9/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.2/10 | 7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4/10 | 3.9/10 | |
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 | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 10/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 6.5/10 | 6/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 6/10 | 5.5/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 220 Grams | 119.9 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."
Sony MDR-ZX110
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Dig into reviews and images
Audio.org
Audio.org | December 2022
"My opinion about Sony MDR ZX110 is they are the best budget headphones of Sony with top-class sound. Clear vocals, great bass, and balanced sound with low sound distortion. The treble could be sharper, but it's ok. 30 mm neodymium dynamic drivers give clear and precise audio, and an inline remote with a mic give decent call quality. Closed-Back Design also helps to improve sound performance."
Get a great deal on the JBL Quantum 100 or the Sony MDR-ZX110
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 Sony
Sony is a multinational corporation, based out of Japan, with over 75 years of experience in the consumer electronics industry. In the audio market, Sony has been a trendsetter several times throughout its history. In 1979 they released the first-ever portable music player, the Sony Walkman, followed by the Discman 20 years later. Today, Sony is one of the leaders in the wireless headphone and earbud market, especially in terms of Active Noise Cancellation technology.
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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.
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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