Compare Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 Headphones vs Beats Studio Pro Headphones

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.

Reviewers generally found the Studio Pro sound better and more balanced than older Beats, though some said class leaders are more refined.

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

Spatial audio worked well for Apple movies and supported immersion, but at least one reviewer still found it gimmicky or unappealing.

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

Soundstage impressions were split: some heard a compact or closed stage, while others found the image reasonably spacious for closed headphones.

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

Wear detection performance was scored poorly because reviewers identified it as a missing high-end feature.

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

ANC sometimes added hiss or white-noise artifacts, creating a mild audio-side drawback.

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

Wired USB-C use was praised for eliminating lag in a gaming/editing-style use case.

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

Passive isolation depended heavily on fit and seal, helping some listeners while causing performance drops for others.

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.

Bass was widely described as strong, controlled, and enjoyable, with a few reviewers wishing for tuning flexibility.

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

Measured and subjective comments generally viewed the frequency response as close to target and more balanced than older Beats tuning.

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

ANC background artifacts were a recurring caveat, including adaptive shifts, audible hiss, and leakage of chatter.

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.

ANC was usually considered good to very good, but not consistently at the very top of the premium class.

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

Microphone noise reduction was praised in several call tests, but other reviewers found background rejection inconsistent or damaging to voice clarity.

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

Wind handling was mixed: some mics reduced wind well, while others struggled or could not fully block wind noise.

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

Replaceable earpad support was criticized where reviewers noted Beats did not offer easy official replacements.

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

Replaceable pads or headband support was weak in reviews that noted limited official replacement options.

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

aptX was treated as a missing Android-friendly codec, limiting high-quality Bluetooth options for Android users.

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

Sensor support was weak because ear-detection sensors were missing.

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

Repairability was a concern because reviewers noted no direct Apple repair path or limited replacement support.

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

Firmware outlook was uncertain where reviewers hoped for fixes but had no clear update timing.

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

Cable quality drew a practical complaint from one reviewer who wanted a longer USB-C cable.

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

Headband padding was criticized by reviewers who found it scant or insufficient for long comfort.

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

Premium feel was a recurring weakness because the plastic finish did not always match the premium price.

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

The integrated microphone hardware worked well in some tests but could sound muffled in others.

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

Launch feature completeness was criticized because head detection and other basics were missing.

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

Auto-play and wear detection were repeated omissions, and reviewers considered the missing auto-pause feature a major miss.

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

Portability was a major strength thanks to folding and a very compact footprint.

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

Water and dust resistance was criticized as absent for a Bluetooth headphone at this level.

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

Stability was positive where tested, with reviewers finding the fit secure during movement.

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

LDAC was also cited as absent, especially compared with Sony alternatives that support it.

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

Wear detection auto-pause was repeatedly criticized as absent, especially at the price.

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

Overall recommendations were mixed: reviewers liked sound and features more at sale prices, but many flagged comfort, ANC, or value caveats.

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

Ear pad changes helped comfort and seal for some reviewers, but stiffness and shallow cups remained concerns.

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

Volume output divided reviewers, with one noting loud playback and another wanting more headroom for blasting music.

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

Treble was often praised for clarity and sparkle, but several reviewers found it sharp, intense, or overemphasized at times.

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

Carry case reactions were mixed: reviewers liked the compact soft case, but several felt it was less protective or awkward.

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

The built-in DAC and USB-C hi-res playback were praised for cleaner or more present wired sound, with some execution caveats.

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

At higher volumes, reviewers reported that clarity largely held up and distortion stayed controlled.

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

USB-C preset EQ modes were useful and generally worked as intended, but reviewers still wanted fuller EQ control.

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

Headband adjustability was praised for allowing precise fit changes.

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

Included accessories were viewed positively where reviewers noted the full cable-and-case package.

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

Multi-platform compatibility was one of the strongest differentiators, especially for users moving between Apple and Android.

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

Instrument separation drew praise in several reviews, especially on complex tracks and spatially busy mixes.

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

The low-key styling and reduced branding were praised by reviewers who liked a cleaner, more discreet Beats look.

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.

Midrange and vocals were usually clear and present, though one reviewer found a bit too much midrange boost.

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

Ecosystem integration was strong across Apple and Android, but some compromises remained compared with platform-specific rivals.

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

The 3.5mm input was appreciated as a practical wired listening option.

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

Connectivity options were a strength, with Bluetooth, 3.5mm, and USB-C audio repeatedly appreciated.

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

Android compatibility was a major strength, with reviewers praising cross-platform support and Android-specific pairing features.

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

USB-C was a standout upgrade for charging, wired audio, and lossless listening, despite some mode limitations.

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

Travel friendliness was a clear strength due to compact folding, a small case, battery life, and wired options.

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

Transparency mode received some of the strongest praise, often sounding natural, though a few reviewers heard hollowness or digital coloration.

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

Voice prompts and feedback were weak because reviewers noted missing audio prompts for modes.

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

EQ customization was one of the strongest complaints because wireless listening lacks adjustable EQ.

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

Smart listening features felt underdeveloped because the headphones lack several premium convenience features.

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

Advanced features were mixed, with useful cross-platform extras offset by missing iOS-native and premium functions.

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

The app and platform controls were useful, especially on Android or iOS, but not a deep customization hub.

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

Call quality ranged from excellent to disappointing, with strong results in some tests and muted voice pickup in others.

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

Setup was usually simple, especially with fast pairing, though customization depth was limited.

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

Physical buttons were often praised for simplicity and reliability, though some reviewers disliked the loud or clunky actuation.

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

Bluetooth reliability was generally positive, with reviewers citing stable connections and strong range.

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

Voice assistant support worked well for Apple users, especially hands-free Siri.

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

Codec support was judged limited because Bluetooth playback is restricted to AAC and SBC, without higher-quality options.

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

Multipoint was a repeated weakness because support was limited, missing, or less flexible than expected across platforms.

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

Value depended heavily on sale pricing: many reviewers disliked the launch price but became more positive at discounts.

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

Auto-off was a small positive where mentioned, with the headphones shutting down after inactivity.

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

Build quality split reviewers sharply, from durable and robust to plasticky or cheap for the price.

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

Clamping force was a common caveat, with several reviewers finding the fit tight or pressure-heavy.

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

Comfort was the most divisive area: some reviewers wore them for hours, while others found the fit tight, shallow, or uncomfortable.

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

Durability over time was viewed positively in CNET's hands-on assessment, particularly compared with older Studio hinge concerns.

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

Recycled materials were noted positively, though sustainability reporting and repair options were more limited.

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

Design was generally viewed as stylish, mature, and recognizable, though some reviewers found it too familiar or plain.

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

Weight was a mild positive where mentioned, with the headphones considered relatively light.

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

Dolby Atmos with head tracking was praised as enjoyable or useful on Apple devices.

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

Battery life was usually considered solid, with some tests exceeding claims, though a few rivals last much longer.

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

Fast charging was consistently received positively, with short charges giving several hours of playback.

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

Mechanical or earpad-adjacent noise was a minor annoyance, including loud clicks or popping during use/folding.

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

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

Apple H2 chip support was a consistent miss for reviewers expecting deeper Apple feature upgrades.

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

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

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 useful, but reviewers noted limitations versus more advanced precision finding.

The gaming/movie preset was considered useful where reviewers evaluated the USB-C EQ modes.

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

Smudge resistance was weak on darker colors, which reviewers said showed fingerprints easily.

Hi-res streaming service support was a plus through USB-C playback with compatible services.

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

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