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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The JBL Quantum 100 is better for gaming due to their higher gaming score, and they come with a boom microphone which typically offers good clarity for communication. If you often engage in voice chats while playing games, this could be significant. On the other hand, the Sony WH-CH520 boasts better overall sound quality and comfort, which makes them ideal for listening to music and for long periods of wearing. They're also wireless with an impressive battery life, making them more convenient for everyday use. Additionally, the Sony has an app that allows equalizer and control customization, enhancing your listening experience. If you're looking for portability and noise isolation for air travel or exercise, the Sony scores higher in those aspects too. However, if budget is your primary concern and you prioritize gaming, the JBL may be the better cost-effective option. 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
- The JBL Quantum 100 has no clear advantages over the Sony WH-CH520.
Advantages of the Sony WH-CH520
- Very good for TV and video
- Very good for air travel
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
7.0
7.6
The Sony WH-CH520 and JBL Quantum 100 are both good for music, though the Sony WH-CH520 is somewhat better.
Phone Calls
5.5
6.7
The Sony WH-CH520 is only fair for phone calls, while the JBL Quantum 100 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
4.5
8.0
The Sony WH-CH520 is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JBL Quantum 100 is poor.
TV and Video
7.1
8.2
The Sony WH-CH520 is very good for TV and video, while the JBL Quantum 100 is good.
Noise Reduction
5.3
4.6
The JBL Quantum 100 and Sony WH-CH520 are both poor for noise reduction, though the JBL Quantum 100 is somewhat better.
Battery
N/A
52.0 Hours
The JBL Quantum 100 does not have a battery. The Sony WH-CH520 has 52 hours of battery life.
Cost
$40
$50
$0
$10
$20
$30
$40
$50
The JBL Quantum 100 has a price of $40 and the Sony WH-CH520 costs $50.
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Key similarities
Gaming
8.5
8.8
The Sony WH-CH520 and JBL Quantum 100 are both very good for gaming.
Build Quality
6.5
7.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Sony WH-CH520 to have good build quality, while the JBL Quantum 100 has only fair build quality.
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How the JBL Quantum 100 and the Sony WH-CH520 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| JBL Quantum 100 | Sony WH-CH520 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$40 | $50 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | JBL | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2020 | April 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.5/10 | 6.8/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.6/10 | 8.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.2/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4/10 | 6.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 52 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 1.9 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.2 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 5.3/10 | 4.6/10 | |
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 | 7/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 6/10 | 10/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 220 Grams | 147.41 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Boom | Integrated | |
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 WH-CH520
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Christian Thomas | September 2023
"If you’re looking for headphones that simply do what you ask them to: the Sony WH-CH520 is a decent option, even if it isn’t very exciting. Sony’s WH-CHXXX line fits this role quite well, and the WH-CH520 offers a decent raft of quality-of-life updates over its predecessor that should keep listeners happy. If the Sony WH-CH520 were a car, it’d be the boring-but-safe commuter compact."
Get a great deal on the JBL Quantum 100 or the Sony WH-CH520
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
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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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