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Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The JBL Quantum 100 is a more budget-friendly option designed for gaming, with a boom microphone and high scores for gaming and book/podcast listening; however, it lacks wireless capabilities and active noise cancelling. The Sony WF1000XM3 earbuds are more expensive but offer better overall sound quality, wireless convenience, active noise cancelling, and superior comfort, making them better for music, calls, meetings, and air travel. Consider the JBL Quantum 100 if gaming and cost are priorities; opt for the Sony WF1000XM3 if sound quality, noise cancellation, and wireless functionality are more important to you. 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 WF1000XM3
- Very good for phone calls
- Very good for air travel
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
7.0
7.5
The Sony WF1000XM3 and JBL Quantum 100 are both good for music, though the Sony WF1000XM3 is somewhat better.
Gaming
8.5
5.6
The JBL Quantum 100 is very good for gaming, while the Sony WF1000XM3 is poor.
Phone Calls
5.5
8.2
The Sony WF1000XM3 is very good for phone calls, while the JBL Quantum 100 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
4.5
8.7
The Sony WF1000XM3 is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JBL Quantum 100 is poor.
TV and Video
7.1
5.7
The JBL Quantum 100 is good for TV and video, while the Sony WF1000XM3 is poor.
Noise Reduction
5.3
8.3
The Sony WF1000XM3 is very good for noise reduction, while the JBL Quantum 100 is poor.
Battery
N/A
6.0 Hours
The JBL Quantum 100 does not have a battery. The Sony WF1000XM3 has 6 hours of battery life.
Cost
$20
$180
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
The JBL Quantum 100 has a price of $20 and the Sony WF1000XM3 costs $180.
Build Quality
6.5
9.0
The Sony WF1000XM3 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 Sony WF1000XM3 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| JBL Quantum 100 | Sony WF1000XM3 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$20 | $180 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | JBL | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2020 | August 1, 2019 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.5/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.6/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.2/10 | 5.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4/10 | 6/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 6 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 3.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 24 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 5.3/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 10/10 | 8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 6.5/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 6/10 | 7.9/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 220 Grams | 9 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Boom | Integrated | |
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 WF1000XM3
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Sound Guys
Lily Katz | November 2022
"Wireless earbuds are a dime a dozen, and the Sony WF-1000XM3 makes it easy to justify the cost. The design and comfort are good, and the connection strength is consistent. While the lack of aptX or LDAC support is a big drawback, DSEE HX processing improves low-quality audio files. If you want stylish active noise canceling (ANC) earbuds, the WF-1000XM3 needs to be at the top of your list."
Get a great deal on the JBL Quantum 100 or the Sony WF1000XM3
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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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
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
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.
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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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