Compare Nothing Headphone (1) vs Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 Headphones

Sound quality was the most divisive area: some loved the tuned or EQ-adjusted sound, while many criticized the default tuning as dark, flat, or compressed.

Reviewers broadly praised the P100’s sound as detailed, clean, spacious and high-value, though What Hi-Fi and PCMag wanted more energy or EQ help.

Immersive audio was weak in TechRadar’s testing, where spatial effects added little and sometimes harmed movie or podcast playback.

Immersive audio quality was praised through spatiality, cohesive presentation and a sense of being pulled into the music.

Soundstage was often criticized as narrow or compressed, though a few reviewers heard decent width after tuning or in positive listening sessions.

Soundstage evidence was positive overall, with reviewers describing wide, expansive, spacious or plausible imaging for a closed-back ANC headphone.

One review found ANC changed the sound signature negatively, narrowing and muting more complex tracks.

ANC’s effect on the sound signature was mostly positive, with no tonal shift in one review and a bass boost in another.

Wear detection performance was poor in one long-term Mac test, where it reportedly never worked.

Wear detection performance was mixed-to-weak, with reviewers noting delays, context issues or oversensitivity before firmware updates.

Frequency-response evidence was mixed: some heard balanced tuning, while others found the default curve dark, uneven, or treble-recessed.

Frequency balance was generally praised as natural, flat or properly balanced, though PCMag and What Hi-Fi wanted more default liveliness.

Spatial audio was mixed: some found it useful for movies and broad device support, while others called it weak, limp, or harmful to music.

Spatial audio was a clear limitation, with reviewers noting no spatial audio and steering head-tracking seekers toward other brands.

Bass impressions were split: some heard controlled punch and texture, while others described muddy bass or weak low-frequency precision before EQ.

Bass was usually described as punchy, controlled and substantial without overwhelming other frequencies, with only one What Hi-Fi comparison finding it short on kick.

One review said audio sounded best with ANC off because switching ANC on narrowed and muted the presentation.

ANC’s audio impact was mixed: some heard no tonal shift or a useful bass boost, while others heard crackle or distracting movement artifacts.

Microphone noise reduction was generally strong, with reviewers praising background suppression, though one noted echo/reverb issues.

Microphone noise handling was split: some reviewers heard reduced echo and clear calls, while PCMag found background noise still came through.

Background-noise reduction was mixed: lab-style and street testing praised attenuation, while some reviewers noted weaker handling of voices or sudden sounds.

ANC background noise was a concern in quieter use, with static or clicking mentioned by multiple reviewers.

Low-latency mode was treated positively as a useful gaming/video feature for reducing delay.

Audio-video sync was generally strong thanks to gaming or low-latency modes, though PCMag said latency was reduced rather than eliminated.

Wind handling was mixed: some mic suppression impressed reviewers, while ANC or voice noise gating struggled in wind.

Wind and movement noise handling was a recurring concern, with several reviewers hearing wind, popping, footstep or left/right ANC artifacts.

Passive isolation was a clear strength, with the ear pads and seal repeatedly helping noise reduction even before ANC.

Passive isolation was viewed positively, with reviewers saying the fit and earcups blocked or reduced outside sound effectively even before ANC.

ANC was generally viewed as strong for the price and effective in everyday noise, though several reviewers said Sony, Bose, or AirPods Max still outperform it.

ANC was seen as good to very good for the price, especially for low-frequency noise, but reviewers repeatedly said Bose, Sony or AirPods Max still do better.

Sustainability materials were a weakness because The Guardian said the headphones were not made with recycled materials.

Sustainable materials were praised, especially recycled content, plastic-free packaging and an eco-conscious design approach.

Long-term durability evidence was limited, but one reviewer worried about cosmetic dings from the rectangular cups.

Durability evidence was very positive, with reviewers noting no creaks, groans or visible wear after handling and travel.

Weight comfort was mixed: reviewers often found them wearable, but their 329g weight was repeatedly noticed against lighter Sony/Bose options.

Weight comfort was mixed: some reviewers felt the weight was distributed well, while others called the headphones heavy, bulky or heavier than rivals.

Build quality was broadly praised as solid, premium, and better than expected, though one reviewer worried about long-term headband durability.

Build quality was consistently strong, with reviewers calling the headphones premium, robust, top-notch or substantial.

Clamping force was generally secure and comfortable, but PCMag found it tighter than preferred.

Clamping force was divisive, with some calling it well judged or Goldilocks-approved and others finding the fit tight or pressure-inducing.

Comfort was usually positive over hours of use, but weight, heat, piercings, glasses, and headband pressure made it less universal.

Long-use comfort was mixed: many found the P100 comfortable for hours, but Tom’s Guide and PCMag reported discomfort, weight or pressure points.

Design was one of the most discussed strengths, repeatedly praised as distinctive, premium, and eye-catching, though also polarizing.

Design was generally praised as attractive, stylish and well put together, though a few reviewers found the headband shape or bulk less flattering.

Auto power/sleep behavior drew criticism in long-term use, especially when connected to a Mac.

Auto power-off was praised as useful for forgetful users and battery conservation.

Value was generally positive because the headphones undercut major rivals while offering strong build, controls, battery, ANC, and EQ, though weak default sound hurt value for some.

Value for money was one of the strongest themes, with reviewers repeatedly saying the P100 competes above its price.

Codec support was treated positively, with SBC/AAC/LDAC and high-res support helping the value proposition.

Codec support was praised as broad and high-end, centered on aptX Lossless and aptX Adaptive, though PCMag still preferred LDAC availability.

Multipoint reliability was treated positively, with reviewers highlighting quick switching and two-device connection.

Multipoint was a consistent strength, with reviewers reporting smooth dual-device pairing, hitch-free operation or fast switching.

Replaceable earpad evidence was weak-to-negative, with uncertainty around replacements and a long-term reviewer noting Nothing still did not sell them.

Replaceable earpads were a recurring repairability strength, with reviewers praising easy replacement and longer-term ownership.

Cable quality was criticized because the included 3.5mm cable was only three-pole and could not carry microphone audio.

Cable quality was praised in Tom’s Guide, which described the bundled audio cables as durable woven fabric.

Repairability evidence was mixed-to-negative: The Guardian noted replacement cushions, but a long-term reviewer criticized the soldered battery.

Repairability and sustainability were major strengths, especially user-replaceable batteries and earpads plus longevity-focused design.

LDAC support was consistently treated as a positive, especially for Android/high-res wireless listening.

LDAC was a weakness in the one review that discussed it, because the reviewer preferred LDAC over aptX Lossless for Android hi-res listening.

Volume output was criticized by reviewers who wanted more headroom or found the roller caused accidental loud jumps.

Volume and dynamic output were rated highly, with reviewers describing strong headroom, loud maximum levels and excellent dynamic range.

Treble clarity was a common weakness in negative sound reviews, with several reviewers hearing recessed, dull, or less crisp highs.

Treble was generally praised for bite, sparkle and articulation without harshness, while PCMag noted some upper-register energy was missing by default.

Water/sweat resistance was praised as rare for premium over-ears, though PCMag cautioned that IP52 is still limited.

Water resistance was a weakness in the one review that discussed it, noting there was no water-resistant rating.

Fit stability was praised where reviewers described a secure fit without excessive tightness.

Stability was weak for active use: reviewers reported looseness, popping with movement, slipping, or suitability mainly for stationary listening.

Travel friendliness was mixed-to-negative because battery life is good but the case is bulky and the headphones do not fold up.

Travel friendliness was strong because of battery life and isolation, but softened by the relatively bulky case and non-folding design.

Wear/on-head detection was praised in early reviews as useful and working well, though related long-term Mac behavior was criticized elsewhere.

Auto-play/wear detection was mixed in PCMag because it resumed playback even when the user had paused manually.

Midrange clarity was polarizing, with some praising vocals while others heard too much lower-mid darkness or underemphasized midrange.

Most reviewers found vocals and mids clear, expressive and well placed, although What Hi-Fi and one YouTube reviewer heard a thinner or less forward midrange.

Wear detection auto-pause was criticized in long-term Mac use, where the reviewer said over-ear detection was god-awful.

Wear detection auto-pause was criticized by Tom’s Guide for not always initiating and sometimes delaying.

Instrument separation ranged from crowded and unclear in negative reviews to solid detail and separation in more positive listening impressions.

Instrument separation was a recurring strength, with reviewers noting clear detail retrieval, distinct vocals and instruments, and strong layering.

Preset EQ feedback was mixed, with some finding treble/bass presets useful and others saying presets were not enough or should be skipped.

Preset EQ reactions were mixed: some liked Flat or broader presets, while PCMag said presets did not restore enough energy.

Overall recommendations were mixed-positive: many reviewers liked the value and debut effort, but sound tuning and comfort kept it from universal praise.

Overall recommendations were strongly positive, with most reviewers calling the P100 high-value, competitive or easy to recommend, despite some caveats.

Launch features were viewed positively because the headphones offered several differentiating features beyond visual design.

Launch features were viewed as adequate to good, but reviewers wanted more modern extras such as spatial audio or more polished software features.

Case feedback was mixed: some praised protection and compactness, while others found it too large, cheap-feeling, or annoying to zip.

The case was usually praised for protection, storage and fit, but several reviewers still noted its larger or chunkier footprint.

Wired hi-res and USB-C digital playback were viewed as useful extras, with reviewers noting clearer or lossless wired listening.

Hi-res wired and DAC-related playback were viewed positively, especially USB-C lossless playback and direct wired listening quality.

Firmware support looked promising because a later Nothing X update added Personal Sound support.

Firmware support was viewed positively where discussed, with the app framed as a path to future features and tweaks.

Sensor evidence was positive but limited, with one reviewer identifying proximity sensing as useful hardware.

Sensors were praised in one review as a cool wear-detection feature, though other wear-detection attributes show reliability caveats.

Ear cup padding was mostly praised for soft memory foam and a good seal, though a few reviewers felt pressure or heat.

Ear cup padding was widely praised as soft, plush, well-cushioned or snug without suffocating the ears.

Headband adjustability drew mixed but mostly positive feedback, with smooth adjustment praised and one top-mounted mechanism criticized.

Headband adjustment was positively described as stable, seamless or cleanly integrated into the design.

Portability was mixed: the headphones lie flat and can pack neatly in some cases, but they do not fold up and remain large.

Portability was a limitation, with reviewers noting the P100 does not fold small and is not among the sleekest or most compact over-ears.

Multi-platform use was praised in long-term testing because the app works across iOS and Android with most features available on both.

Multi-platform support was generally positive across Android, iOS, macOS and Windows, though Apple wired behavior was less smooth in one review.

Ecosystem perks were useful for Nothing Phone users, but some exclusive features limited broader appeal.

Ecosystem integration evidence was limited but positive, with Google Fast Pair enabling one-tap pairing.

Transparency mode was generally usable and often natural enough for conversations, but several reviewers found it less natural than Apple, Bose, or Sony.

Transparency mode drew mixed-to-positive reactions: several found it useful or natural, while others said clarity and ambient audibility needed work.

Headband padding was mixed: SoundGuys liked weight distribution, while The Guardian found the padding too thin after hours.

Headband padding was mixed: one review wanted it softer, while others praised the soft lining or found pressure points after long wear.

Premium feel was widely praised, with reviewers saying the headphones feel expensive, solid, and better than expected at the price.

Premium feel was generally strong, with praise for materials, style and finish, though What Hi-Fi noted cheap-feeling earcups.

One reviewer specifically liked the slim profile because the headphones sit close to the head despite their bold styling.

Discreet aesthetics were mostly positive, with praise for subtle branding and finishes, though one reviewer disliked the headband silhouette.

Reviewers liked that wired listening is covered with a 3.5mm jack, often alongside USB-C, making the headphones more flexible for planes and wired sources.

3.5mm analog support was positive overall because reviewers valued wired flexibility, though one reviewer noted the port requires the supplied USB-C adapter.

Connectivity was a major strength, with reviewers praising the mix of USB-C, 3.5mm, multipoint, and app/device support.

Connectivity options were a strength, with reviewers valuing Bluetooth, USB-C digital audio, 3.5mm support and included cables.

USB-C was praised as a useful wired audio and charging option, especially for modern devices and lossless playback.

USB-C was a strength, especially for charging and wired digital playback, with reviewers praising hi-res wired output and easy computer connection.

The six-month review praised the app for working on both iOS and Android, supporting strong Android usability.

Android compatibility was positive, with Android USB recognition and Google Fast Pair both described favorably.

Maximum-volume clarity was positive in CNET’s testing, with almost no distortion even at high volumes.

One reviewer praised high-volume clarity by noting zero distortion while highs remained retained clearly.

Voice prompts and feedback split reviewers sharply: one loved the mode sounds, while others found cues uncomfortable, awful, loud, or jarring.

Voice prompts were a standout novelty, especially the Matt Berry/Southwark option that reviewers found unusually enjoyable.

Smart Pause performance was praised by TechRadar, which said wear detection and multipoint both worked perfectly once enabled.

Smart Pause performance was weak to mixed, with reviewers reporting delayed, context-insensitive or inconsistent auto-pause behavior.

Reviewers consistently praised the broad feature set, especially customization, spatial options, ANC controls, and app-driven extras.

Advanced software features were adequate rather than class-leading, with useful app functions but fewer modern extras than some rivals.

Smart listening features were positively supported by Personal Sound, which was described as a useful way to personalize tuning.

Smart listening features were praised in one review as part of a broad feature set intended to elevate the listening experience.

Call mic quality was mixed-to-positive: several reviewers heard clear calls, while others described the mic as merely fine, tinny, or robotic.

Call quality was mixed but mostly favorable, with strong speech intelligibility in some reviews and weaker, distant mic capture in PCMag.

The app was one of the product’s strongest points, with reviewers praising its layout, speed, settings, and unusually deep EQ tools.

The app was generally viewed as useful, simple or feature-rich, though some reviewers saw it mainly as a firmware and EQ utility.

Bluetooth 5.3 was described as up to date, giving the headphones a modern wireless baseline.

Bluetooth 5.3 was treated positively where evaluated, especially as newer, stronger and more reliable.

Setup and software simplicity were praised through Google Fast Pair, an easy app, and automatic pairing behavior.

Setup and software simplicity were generally strong, with reviewers calling setup child’s play, the interface simple, and controls straightforward.

EQ customization was a standout feature, repeatedly described as powerful, granular, and sometimes essential for fixing the stock tuning.

EQ customization was one of the clearest software strengths, with reviewers praising the seven-band EQ and how well the sound responds to tuning.

Voice assistant integration was positively supported through the customizable button and Gemini/assistant access.

Voice assistant integration was rated adequate, with Tom’s Guide calling hands-free commands fine and speech capture accurate.

Bluetooth reliability was supported by positive connectivity evidence, including Bluetooth 5.3 range and dual-device support.

Bluetooth performance was generally reliable, with reviewers citing stable pairing, good range, basement roaming and compatibility across devices.

Physical controls were a standout strength, widely praised for tactility and usability, although a few reviewers found the layout or paddle/roller behavior finicky.

Physical button controls were mostly praised as simple, tactile and preferable to touch, despite Tom’s Guide finding the control layout imperfect.

Battery life was one of the clearest strengths, repeatedly praised for 35+ hours with ANC and exceptional longevity without ANC.

Battery life was the strongest consensus feature, repeatedly described as epic, class-leading, insane, benchmark-setting or outstanding.

Charging was praised, especially the fast-charge claims and real-world usefulness before trips or commutes.

Fast charging was praised across reviews, with five-minute top-ups repeatedly described as useful, powerful or impressive.

aptX support was repeatedly treated as a premium strength, especially aptX Lossless and Adaptive for higher-quality Bluetooth playback.

Award recognition was strong because PCMag awarded the P100 an Editors’ Choice.

Ear cup swivel and rotation were generally useful, though PCMag felt the rotation would matter more if the case supported flat storage.

Find My support was considered useful but basic, with reviewers noting it mainly plays a sound rather than offering smarter tracking.

Included accessories were well received, especially the case, storage pouch and USB-C or 3.5mm cabling.

The integrated microphones were praised by Tom’s Guide for superb speech recognition and accurate vocal capture.

Replaceable pads and battery support were a strong repairability advantage and helped reviewers view the headphones as longer-lasting.

Sidetone was praised by one reviewer who liked hearing some of their own voice during calls.

Smudge resistance was a weakness because the finish visibly picked up oil even if it wiped off easily.

Streaming-service integration was criticized in long-term use because Channel Hop/favorites behavior felt confusing.

Touch controls were not implemented, and Tom’s Guide treated that absence as a missed opportunity for the earcup design.

Auracast was a weakness only by absence, with TechRadar saying the lack of LE Audio and Auracast keeps them from feeling fully future-proof.

Head-tracked 3D audio was a weak area because Stereo Guide recommended Sony, Apple or Bose for that feature set.

What Hi-Fi praised the smoothly rotating hinges as part of the headphones’ assured style and construction.

LE Audio readiness was marked down because TechRadar noted the lack of Bluetooth LE Audio and Auracast.

Sound leakage was praised by one reviewer, who found the closed-back design useful for recording because it did not leak externally.