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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 10, 2024·
If you prioritize gaming and want a headset with a superior microphone quality for voice chat, the JBL Quantum 100 would be a suitable choice as it offers good sound quality and is particularly rated very high for gaming. However, it's designed as over-ear headphones which might not be as portable or suitable for exercise as earbuds. On the other hand, the Sony MDREX15AP earbuds provide excellent portability and are highly comfortable, making them great for listening to TV and video content and daily commutes. They're also much less expensive than the JBL, but they wouldn't match the JBL's performance in gaming scenarios. If budget is a primary concern and you prefer a lightweight, portable option for music and video, the Sony earbuds may be the way to go. 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 Sony MDREX15AP
- Very good for music
- Excellent for TV and video
Key differences
Music
7.0
8.3
The Sony MDREX15AP is very good for music, while the JBL Quantum 100 is good.
Gaming
8.5
6.7
The JBL Quantum 100 is very good for gaming, while the Sony MDREX15AP is only fair.
Phone Calls
5.5
3.5
The JBL Quantum 100 and Sony MDREX15AP are both poor for phone calls, though the JBL Quantum 100 is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
4.5
5.4
The Sony MDREX15AP and JBL Quantum 100 are both poor for podcasts and audiobooks, though the Sony MDREX15AP is somewhat better.
TV and Video
7.1
9.3
The Sony MDREX15AP is excellent for TV and video, while the JBL Quantum 100 is good.
Noise Reduction
5.3
7.0
The Sony MDREX15AP is good for noise reduction, while the JBL Quantum 100 is poor.
Build Quality
6.5
8.0
The Sony MDREX15AP has very good build quality, while the JBL Quantum 100 has only fair build quality.
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Key similarities
Cost
$20
$20
$0
$10
$20
$30
$40
$50
The JBL Quantum 100 has a price of $20 and the Sony MDREX15AP costs $20.
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How the JBL Quantum 100 and the Sony MDREX15AP compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| JBL Quantum 100 | Sony MDREX15AP |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$20 | $20 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | JBL | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2020 | March 1, 2014 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7/10 | 8.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.5/10 | 3.5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.6/10 | 6.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.2/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4/10 | 4.6/10 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 5.3/10 | 7/10 | |
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 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 6/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 220 Grams | 3.1 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Boom | N/A | |
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 MDREX15AP
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Dig into reviews and images
Make It Sound Great
Pete Anthony | June 2022
"At the ultra budget $10 price-point (and we’ve seen the no-mic version go for as cheap as $7), I’d say these are a decent option if you’re looking for a passable pair of earbuds for basic use that’s as cheap as possible. I wouldn’t say they feel or sound as good as some of the ultra-budget alternatives out there – of which there are a few at this point – but some might disagree. I will say though that the cable is a little bit nicer than those of that same competition."
Get a great deal on the JBL Quantum 100 or the Sony MDREX15AP
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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