If you want better Portability/foldability
Choose Marshall Monitor III A.N.C. Over-Ear Bluetooth Headphones. It scores 4.8 vs 3.0 for Portability/foldability, with a 4.2 overall score.
Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 SE Headphones Review
Bottom Line
Choose the P100 SE for huge battery life, strong sound, useful EQ, and standout value. Skip it if you need class-leading ANC, the lightest comfort, spatial audio, or a compact travel case.
Best for
Best for listeners who prioritize battery life, detailed sound, flexible EQ, and strong value over having the absolute strongest ANC. It also suits buyers who appreciate repairability and physical controls.
Not for
Not for travelers who need the smallest folding case, users who are sensitive to headband pressure or weight, or buyers who want spatial audio and top-tier ANC above all else.
Verdict
The Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 SE earns broad praise for battery stamina, sound quality, and value, with several reviewers calling it one of the strongest wireless ANC buys around its price. Its biggest strengths are long ANC-on runtime, detailed and engaging audio, responsive EQ, sturdy materials, and repair-minded touches such as replaceable batteries or pads. The main tradeoff is that it is not the easiest travel or comfort pick: multiple reviewers note weight, headband pressure, bulk, or a large case. Noise cancelling is improved and often good, but not consistently framed as class-leading, and DynamEQ divides listeners who prefer the older neutral tuning.
Feature Scorecards
Summary
75 reviewed features-
Very positive 4.5-5.038 (51%)
-
Positive 3.5-4.428 (37%)
-
Neutral 2.5-3.47 (9%)
-
Negative 1.5-2.42 (3%)
Pros highlights
-
Overall recommendations are very positive, especially for sound-first buyers and value seekers, with caveats around ANC, comfort, and bulk.
-
Comfort is mixed: some reviewers found it comfortable or improved, while others criticized weight, snugness, or headband pressure over time.
-
Sound quality is the strongest repeated praise, described as detailed, clear, engaging, and high value for the price.
-
Battery life is one of the clearest strengths, repeatedly called excellent, incredible, extraordinary, or best-in-class.
-
Value is one of the strongest themes, with reviewers repeatedly calling the P100 SE well priced or exceptional for sound quality per dollar.
-
Bass earns strong praise for impact and EQ potential, but some reviewers found the SE tuning too bass-forward or not fully controlled.
Cons highlights
-
Headband padding is one of the more divisive comfort points, ranging from improved and comfortable to stiff or not meaningfully changed.
-
Spatial audio is absent, which some reviewers list as a limitation, though others say the natural soundstage reduces the sting.
-
Frequency-response impressions are mixed because the SE sounds warmer and less flat than the original, even though the tonal balance can be adjusted.
Compared With Category Average
Compared with other Over-Ear Headphones, this product is above average in aptX, Sustainability and repairability, Voice prompts/feedback, near average in Bass performance, Frequency response accuracy, below average in Sidetone adjustment quality, LDAC, Weight comfort.
Comparison summary
75 compared features-
Above average 0.4+ pts higher42 (56%)
-
Same as average within 0.3 pts23 (31%)
-
Below average 0.4+ pts lower10 (13%)
Largest category differences
| Attribute | This product | Category average | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| aptX | 5.0 | 3.1 | +1.9 |
| Sidetone adjustment quality | 2.5 | 3.9 | -1.4 |
| Sustainability and repairability | 4.9 | 3.7 | +1.2 |
| Voice prompts/feedback | 5.0 | 3.7 | +1.3 |
| Codec support | 5.0 | 3.7 | +1.3 |
| Replaceable earpads | 4.9 | 3.7 | +1.2 |
| LDAC | 2.0 | 3.3 | -1.3 |
| Voice assistant integration | 5.0 | 3.8 | +1.2 |
Consider This Instead
If you want better Weight comfort
Choose Bose QuietComfort Ultra Wireless Headphones. It scores 4.7 vs 3.3 for Weight comfort, with a 4.0 overall score.
If you want better LDAC
Choose JLab Epic Lux Lab Edition Wireless Headphones. It scores 4.6 vs 2.0 for LDAC, with a 4.2 overall score.
If you want better Sidetone adjustment quality
Choose Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless Headphones. It scores 4.6 vs 2.5 for Sidetone adjustment quality, with a 4.1 overall score.
Compared in Reviews
Products reviewers directly compared with this model, grouped into quick takeaways.
- Compared: overall competition RecordingNow says the P100 SE competes very well against Sony WH-1000XM6.
- Worse: battery life The P100 SE is described as offering double the ANC-on battery life of Sony WH-1000XM6.
- Compared: overall competition RecordingNow includes Apple AirPods Max among the P100 SE's serious competitors.
- Compared: overall competition RecordingNow says the P100 SE competes very well against Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3.
FAQ
How good is the P100 SE battery life?
Reviewers repeatedly describe it as exceptional, with 60 hours quoted with ANC on and 100 hours with ANC off, and several found those claims impressive or accurate.
Is the P100 SE sound quality good?
Yes. Reviewers generally praise its detail, clarity, bass potential, soundstage, and EQ responsiveness, though some prefer the original P100's more neutral stock tuning.
Is the noise cancellation class-leading?
No. Reviewers describe it as good, improved, or very acceptable, but several still place it behind elite Sony, Bose, Apple, or Sonos options.
Are the P100 SE headphones comfortable?
Comfort is mixed. Some reviewers found the SE comfier or comfortable for longer sessions, while others criticized the weight, snug fit, and stiff headband pressure.
Is DynamEQ worth using?
It depends on taste. Some reviewers liked the extra bass and treble at lower volumes, while others found it more aggressive or preferred leaving it off.
Are they good for travel?
The battery life is excellent for travel, but the case is repeatedly described as large or not especially compact, and the headphones do not fold very small.
Do they offer good long-term repairability?
Yes. Reviewers praise the user-replaceable battery and removable or replaceable ear cushions as consumer-friendly, longevity-focused touches.
Sample Expert Reviews We Analyzed
These are a few of the reviews included in our analysis.
Video Reviews
YouTube - Youtube
- Review score
- 4.2
Article Reviews
whathifi.com
- Review score
- 3.9
architeg-prints.com
- Review score
- 4.2
loudnwireless.com
- Review score
- 3.8
tomsguide.com
- Review score
- 4.8
Top Over-Ear Headphones to Consider
Choose the 105 Silva for beautiful, repairable construction, superb comfort, easy driveability, and an engaging spacious sound. Skip it if you need isolation, balanced connectivity, heavy sub-bass, or consistently smooth...
Pros: Design and Aesthetics, Overall recommendation
Cons: Noise isolation (passive), Connectivity options
Choose it if your workday revolves around calls and you want exceptional mic isolation, huge battery life, all-day comfort, and a slim travel-friendly design. Skip it if music fidelity, class-leading...
Pros: Battery, Charging
Cons: Value for money, Codec support
Choose the Aventho 100 for standout battery life, portable retro styling, strong ANC, and flexible wired/wireless use. Skip it if you dislike on-ear pressure or want a wide, consistently neutral...
Pros: Battery, Design and Aesthetics
Cons: Clamping force comfort, Soundstage width
Best for exceptional battery life, useful ANC, flexible EQ, and strong budget value. Skip it if refined, detailed sound or polished controls matter more than price.
Pros: Value for money, Sound quality
Cons: Button control usability, App