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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
As you're considering the JBL Quantum 100 and the Sony WF1000XM5, here are some key points to help with your decision. The JBL Quantum 100 is a budget-friendly option, offering good sound quality and comfort, particularly suited for gaming due to a wired connection eliminating latency. However, it doesn't have the advanced noise-cancellation technology found in the Sony WF1000XM5. The Sony is a premium product, providing exceptional noise cancellation, wireless convenience, and superior sound quality, especially for music enthusiasts. The trade-off is the higher cost, and for gaming or watching TV, the potential for audio lag due to its wireless nature. Consider what's more valuable to you: the budget-friendly gaming-optimized JBL or the high-end, noise-canceling, and music-focused Sony. 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 WF1000XM5
- Very good for music
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
7.0
8.0
The Sony WF1000XM5 is very good for music, while the JBL Quantum 100 is good.
Gaming
8.5
5.1
The JBL Quantum 100 is very good for gaming, while the Sony WF1000XM5 is poor.
Phone Calls
5.5
5.0
The JBL Quantum 100 and Sony WF1000XM5 are both poor for phone calls, though the JBL Quantum 100 is somewhat better.
TV and Video
7.1
5.4
The JBL Quantum 100 is good for TV and video, while the Sony WF1000XM5 is poor.
Noise Reduction
5.3
8.7
The Sony WF1000XM5 is very good for noise reduction, while the JBL Quantum 100 is poor.
Battery
N/A
9.0 Hours
The JBL Quantum 100 does not have a battery. The Sony WF1000XM5 has 9 hours of battery life.
Cost
$20
$298
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
The JBL Quantum 100 has a price of $20 and the Sony WF1000XM5 costs $298.
Build Quality
6.5
8.5
The Sony WF1000XM5 has very good build quality, while the JBL Quantum 100 has only fair build quality.
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Key similarities
Podcasts and Audiobooks
4.5
4.9
The Sony WF1000XM5 and JBL Quantum 100 are both poor for podcasts and audiobooks.
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How the JBL Quantum 100 and the Sony WF1000XM5 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| JBL Quantum 100 | Sony WF1000XM5 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$20 | $298 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | JBL | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2020 | July 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7/10 | 8.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.5/10 | 5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.6/10 | 5.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.2/10 | 5.5/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4/10 | 6.2/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 9 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 1.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.3 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 18 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 5.3/10 | 8.8/10 | |
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 | 6.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 6.5/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 6/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Medium | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 220 Grams | 6 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 WF1000XM5
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Sound Guys
Harley Maranan | July 2023
"The Sony WF-1000XM5 is among the best noise canceling earbuds currently on the market, and they aren’t cheap. These earbuds aren’t the best choice for budget-conscious listeners. But if you prioritize active noise cancelation, sound quality, and extensive software support, the WF-1000XM5 is worth its premium price tag."
Get a great deal on the JBL Quantum 100 or the Sony WF1000XM5
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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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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