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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The JBL Quantum 100 headphones, being significantly less expensive, offer great value if budget is a concern. They are over-ear, wired, and provide a good gaming experience. However, the Soundcore Space A40 earbuds offer higher overall sound quality with wireless features, including active noise cancelling and a longer battery life, which are convenient for travel and daily use. If you prioritize wireless convenience, sound quality and features like noise cancellation, you may find the extra cost for the Space A40 worthwhile. On the other hand, for tight budgets and a focus on gaming, the Quantum 100 could be more suitable. 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 Soundcore Space A40
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
7.0
7.7
The Soundcore Space A40 and JBL Quantum 100 are both good for music, though the Soundcore Space A40 is somewhat better.
Gaming
8.5
4.9
The JBL Quantum 100 is very good for gaming, while the Soundcore Space A40 is poor.
Phone Calls
5.5
4.8
The JBL Quantum 100 and Soundcore Space A40 are both poor for phone calls, though the JBL Quantum 100 is somewhat better.
TV and Video
7.1
5.3
The JBL Quantum 100 is good for TV and video, while the Soundcore Space A40 is poor.
Noise Reduction
5.3
9.1
The Soundcore Space A40 is excellent for noise reduction, while the JBL Quantum 100 is poor.
Battery
N/A
8.0 Hours
The JBL Quantum 100 does not have a battery. The Soundcore Space A40 has 8 hours of battery life.
Cost
$20
$80
$0
$20
$40
$60
$80
$100
The JBL Quantum 100 has a price of $20 and the Soundcore Space A40 costs $80.
Build Quality
6.5
8.5
The Soundcore Space A40 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 Soundcore Space A40 and JBL Quantum 100 are both poor for podcasts and audiobooks.
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How the JBL Quantum 100 and the Soundcore Space A40 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| JBL Quantum 100 | Soundcore Space A40 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$20 | $80 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | JBL | Soundcore | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2020 | August 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.5/10 | 4.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.6/10 | 5/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.2/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4/10 | 6.2/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 8 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 0.8 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 32 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 5.3/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | N/A | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 10/10 | 6/10 | |
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 | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 220 Grams | 4 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."
Soundcore Space A40
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Sound Guys
Sam Smart | May 2023
"The Anker Soundcore Space A40 is an excellent deal if you want affordable noise canceling earbuds with great sound. The baseline frequency response is enjoyable, and the many EQ presets to choose from plus the ability to customize your sound profile makes it good for pretty much anyone. The noise canceling is quite good, and the many ear tips to choose from ensure a good fit for the noise canceling and isolation to do its job."
Get a great deal on the JBL Quantum 100 or the Soundcore Space A40
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 Soundcore
Soundcore is a sub-brand belonging to Anker Innovations. Starting in 2014, initially marketing wireless, Bluetooth, speakers, Anker now offers an array of, budget-friendly, wireless earbuds and headphones that directly compete, especially in the Active Noise Canceling field, with other brands several times as expensive.
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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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