Compare Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 SE Headphones vs Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 Headphones

Sound quality is the strongest repeated praise, described as detailed, clear, engaging, and high value for the price.

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.

Frequency-response impressions are mixed because the SE sounds warmer and less flat than the original, even though the tonal balance can be adjusted.

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

Background noise reduction is viewed as improved and effective, but not the quietest in the class according to comparison-focused reviewers.

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

ANC's effect on the sound signature is mixed: one review praised the lack of tonal shift, while another found ANC-on tuning messier on the SE.

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 performed quickly but had a resume-side glitch that the reviewer wanted fixed.

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

Microphone noise reduction is weaker than some competitors, with one reviewer saying it does not filter as much background noise.

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

Wind handling is mixed: one review criticized wind noise in transparency mode, while another found ANC outdoor wind handling very good.

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

Spatial audio is absent, which some reviewers list as a limitation, though others say the natural soundstage reduces the sting.

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

Passive noise isolation is a notable strength, with reviewers praising how much noise is blocked before ANC.

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

Immersion is praised through wide, effortless soundstage comments, even without spatial audio.

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

Gaming/low-latency performance was judged snappy and suitable for videos and fast-paced games.

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

Bass earns strong praise for impact and EQ potential, but some reviewers found the SE tuning too bass-forward or not fully controlled.

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.

ANC is generally judged good or improved, though not always elite; reviewers praised effectiveness while noting Sony/Bose-class options can 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.

Soundstage is generally wide and spacious, though one reviewer heard it as more intimate than wide.

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

ANC sound impact is similarly split, with TechRadar praising tonal consistency and RecordingNow hearing a more problematic change with ANC on.

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

Sidetone/voice passthrough needs improvement according to one reviewer who wanted clearer, louder self-voice feedback.

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

Wear-detection auto-pause is fast, though the broader wear-detection behavior was not flawless.

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

Feature coverage is viewed positively, with reviewers noting modern ANC-headphone features and useful app-based controls.

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

Travel friendliness is mixed: battery life is excellent for long trips, but the large case and limited folding hurt portability.

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

Microphone quality is good in quiet conditions, but noise suppression is less impressive in background noise.

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

LDAC is a clear omission for reviewers who expect high-res wireless codec support.

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

Cable quality receives a positive note for the included USB-C and 3.5mm cables.

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

Aesthetics split reviewers: some liked the clean design and blue color, while another found the wide look silly when worn.

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

Wear-detection auto play/pause mostly worked but showed a brief audio cutout in one hands-on test.

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

Sensor performance is mostly positive through wear-detection testing, though resume behavior had a minor glitch in one review.

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

Water resistance is a weakness because one reviewer warns users to be careful due to no rating.

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

aptX Lossless support is treated as part of the impressive specification.

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

Wired listening options are appreciated as part of the broader connectivity package.

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

Detail retrieval and instrument separation are praised in both written and hands-on listening tests.

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

Sustainability and repairability are praised thanks to recyclable packaging, recycled materials, user-replaceable batteries, and removable pads.

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

Clarity at higher volume is praised, with reviewers noting strong clarity and no distortion at raised levels.

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

Preset and DynamEQ-style tuning are useful but taste-dependent; some presets are usable while DynamEQ can be divisive.

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

Replaceable earpads and battery-related serviceability are repeatedly praised as longevity-friendly.

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

Mids are frequently praised as clear, rounded, and strong with vocals or instruments.

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.

Overall recommendations are very positive, especially for sound-first buyers and value seekers, with caveats around ANC, comfort, and bulk.

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

Included accessories are appreciated, especially the case and cable management touches.

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

Premium feel is praised through materials, finish, and comparisons to more expensive headphones.

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

Portability is a weakness because the headphones and case are not especially compact.

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

Headband padding is one of the more divisive comfort points, ranging from improved and comfortable to stiff or not meaningfully changed.

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

Replaceable components receive praise where reviewers focus on the user-replaceable battery as a long-term ownership benefit.

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

Headband adjustability was not evaluated directly beyond factual mechanism mentions.

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

Volume output is mixed: some found it loud enough or very loud, while another wanted more Bluetooth/3.5mm loudness.

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

Ear cup rotation is judged useful and flexible where reviewed.

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

USB-C connectivity is positively mentioned as part of the wired-listening and cable package.

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

The hard case is generally sturdy and solid, but its size hurts compactness.

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

Treble is often praised for detail, shine, and sparkle, but DynamEQ can make the sound more aggressive for some listeners.

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

Ear cup padding and space are generally praised for plushness, roominess, and comfort.

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

Android setup worked smoothly in the tested pairing flow, with the reviewer connecting quickly to a Samsung foldable device.

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

RecordingNow gave the product a strong S-Tier expert score, reflecting award-style recognition in that review.

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

Transparency mode ranges from natural and useful to merely acceptable and less airy than competitors.

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

Voice assistant access worked cleanly in hands-on testing.

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

Smart Pause works quickly in hands-on testing, though one reviewer observed a brief audio glitch when resuming.

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

Physical button controls are praised for usability and responsiveness.

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

EQ customization is a major strength, with reviewers praising the seven-band EQ and how well the headphones respond to 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.

Setup and software are generally smooth, clean, and intuitive, with fast firmware and app interactions noted.

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

The app is widely praised for EQ, controls, and clean layout, though one reviewer wanted clearer EQ frequency labeling.

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

Advanced software features such as DynamEQ and app changes are useful but taste-dependent, with some reviewers liking the added energy and others preferring simpler original tuning.

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

Smart listening features such as DynamEQ are useful for low-volume listening but not universally preferred.

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

Microphone quality itself is good in quiet conditions, even if background noise filtering is less strong.

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

Voice prompts stand out positively, especially the Matt Berry/Southwark option.

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

Bluetooth-related experiences were largely positive where judged through pairing and multipoint behavior.

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

Weight comfort is mixed to negative, with one reviewer calling it among the heaviest in class while another found it substantial but acceptable.

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

Hinge feel and arm construction are praised for tightness, friction, and premium movement.

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

Sustainability materials earn praise from TechRadar, especially the recycled plastic and driver material claims.

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

Build quality is consistently praised as sturdy, premium, or strong for the price, with only minor creaking noted in one review.

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

Design is usually viewed positively, especially the clean lines and color options, although the look is not universally loved.

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

Clamping force is mostly acceptable or well judged, though one review found the fit snug compared with rivals.

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

Durability is judged positively through solid materials and a reviewer description of the headphones as durable overall.

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

Comfort is mixed: some reviewers found it comfortable or improved, while others criticized weight, snugness, or headband pressure over time.

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

Codec support is praised through aptX Adaptive and aptX Lossless support, but wireless LDAC absence is a separate limitation.

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

Multipoint generally works, but switching can require pausing and there is no automatic switching in one test.

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

Value is one of the strongest themes, with reviewers repeatedly calling the P100 SE well priced or exceptional for sound quality per dollar.

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

Battery life is one of the clearest strengths, repeatedly called excellent, incredible, extraordinary, or best-in-class.

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

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

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

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

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

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

The off-white finish receives a small positive note for resisting a dirty-looking appearance over time.

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

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

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

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

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

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

One reviewer heard slight creaking during movement, but described it as minor.

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