Compare Audio-Technica ATH-CKS50TW Earbuds vs Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 SE Headphones

ANC is consistently present and useful, but reviewer opinion ranges from very effective to average or clearly behind stronger noise-canceling rivals.

ANC is generally rated as strong for the price and improved versus the original P100 in several comparisons, but most reviewers still stop short of calling it class-leading versus Sony or Bose. Reviewers note multiple ANC strength levels plus quick switching via button/app, making it easy to tailor noise reduction to the environment.

Android support is backed by Google Fast Pair, Android/Google device pairing, and aptX-related benefits for compatible Android phones.

The Audio-Technica app is a major strength, repeatedly praised for controls, codec options, battery information, firmware support, EQ, and listening modes.

The Melomania app is typically described as clean and functional for firmware, battery, ANC and EQ; the SE adds DynamEQ, and most find it easy to navigate.

aptX support is repeatedly confirmed, including aptX Adaptive in several reviews and standard aptX on compatible devices.

aptX support (including Adaptive/Lossless where source devices allow) is consistently mentioned as a key differentiator at this price.

Low-latency and video sync performance is consistently strong, with reviewers reporting no perceptible delay or only a tiny delay.

Low-latency or gaming mode is mentioned as helpful for video and gaming, reducing perceived lip-sync issues to a generally acceptable level.

Bass is one of the most supported strengths, described as deep, warm, impactful, and well suited to bass-forward listening, though not every reviewer found it exceptional.

Bass is commonly described as impactful and powerful, especially with DynamEQ, but a few reviewers find it can get boomy or overpowering on the stock SE tuning and can vary by track.

Battery life receives the strongest agreement, with nearly every review emphasizing unusually long playback and case endurance.

Across reviews, battery life is repeatedly described as class-leading and is often verified in real use: around 60 hours with ANC on and up to 100 hours with ANC off. The user-replaceable battery is repeatedly singled out as a big longevity and sustainability win, uncommon among mainstream ANC headphones.

Bluetooth support is generally strong through Bluetooth 5.2 and stable connection reports, though one reviewer experienced occasional signal drops.

Bluetooth connectivity is generally stable in daily use, though a few reports mention pairing friction when switching between the original P100 and the SE model.

Build quality is mostly positive, with sturdy earbuds and cases noted, though at least one reviewer criticized overall build confidence.

Build quality is repeatedly described as premium and sturdy for the price, with only occasional mentions of minor creaking.

Physical buttons divide reviewers: some prefer their tactility and reliability, while others find them fiddly, awkward, or disruptive to fit.

Physical button controls are consistently praised for being responsive and reliable, with clear mappings for playback, volume, ANC modes and assistant access.

Included cables are generally described as good quality and part of a well-considered accessory bundle.

The case is sturdy or sleek in some accounts but repeatedly criticized as large, bulky, or inconvenient for pockets.

The hard travel case is frequently described as sturdy and premium, with helpful cable storage, but it can be larger than rivals because the headphones do not fold especially small.

Charging is helped by USB-C and quick-charge performance, but several reviews mark the lack of wireless charging as a drawback.

Fast charging is consistently highlighted as useful, with claims of a brief charge (around 5 minutes) delivering multiple hours of playback depending on ANC use.

Clamping force is commonly described as well-judged or slightly reduced on the SE, though a few listeners still find the fit snug.

Codec support is broad for the category, with SBC, AAC, aptX, and aptX Adaptive mentioned across reviews.

Codec support is repeatedly cited as a strength, with broad compatibility including aptX Adaptive and aptX Lossless alongside standard Bluetooth codecs.

Comfort is generally better than the size suggests, but bulk and unbalanced weight make long wear more context-dependent.

Comfort is generally good and improved with the SE headband updates for some users, but weight and a sometimes-stiff headband cushion can create pressure over long sessions.

Design earns mixed marks because reviewers like some clean or sturdy elements but often call the buds and case large, plain, or bulky.

Design is usually described as clean and upscale with a new blue option, but at least one reviewer finds the headband look wide or goofy when worn.

Included wired options (USB-C to USB-C and USB-C to 3.5mm) are viewed as convenient for travel and hi-res playback without relying on Bluetooth.

Earpads are described as plush and spacious with a good seal; a recurring minor note is that they can get warm during long listening.

Earcup rotation is frequently praised as flexible enough to lie flat and to fit a range of head shapes comfortably.

Fit is often secure and comfortable with the right tips, though some reviewers warn that larger ears or wind isolation issues can matter.

Ear tip size coverage is solid, with multiple sizes included to help users find a seal.

EQ customization is a clear strength, with reviewers highlighting five-band adjustment, custom presets, and meaningful tuning control.

EQ control is repeatedly called effective and highly responsive, enabling meaningful tuning changes; a minor recurring gripe is limited granularity/labeling of EQ steps.

Find My-style support is limited but present through the app’s ability to locate the earbuds.

Frequency balance is praised in the clearest review evidence, with the full range represented without obvious overstatement.

Tonal balance is often described as slightly warm rather than strictly neutral; DynamEQ and the SE retune can shift bass/treble balance, so accuracy depends on settings.

Adjustability is reported as sufficient for a range of head sizes, but comfort outcomes depend more on headband cushioning and weight distribution than on range.

Hinges and moving parts are generally viewed as robust, though a small number of users report slight creaks when moving around.

Included accessories are basic but useful, especially extra silicone ear tips and charging cable references.

Included accessories are routinely noted as generous for the price, especially the hard case plus multiple cables and documentation.

Instrument separation and detail placement are mostly strong, though one reviewer expected more from the large housings.

Instrument separation and layering are highlighted as strong, contributing to a more hi-fi style presentation and easy-to-follow mixes.

The earbuds include built-in or dual microphones, supporting calls and app-enabled voice features.

Left/right flexibility is a notable strength, with independent single-bud use and TW2 magnetic snap-together behavior documented.

Multiple reviewers explicitly note there is no LDAC support, which may matter to users invested in that ecosystem.

Maximum-volume clarity is mixed: one review notes slight compression at louder volumes, while another praises detailed treble at high volume.

At higher volumes, clarity is generally reported as holding up well with strong dynamics and little audible strain or distortion.

Microphone noise handling is the weak side of call performance, working better in quiet settings than in wind, music, or busy streets.

Background noise reduction for calls is described as decent but behind top rivals, with some reviewers noting more noise leaks through in loud settings.

Call quality is generally usable to good, with several positive comments, but some reviewers rate it merely adequate or average.

Call quality is usually rated as good in quiet environments and acceptable overall, though not typically viewed as best-in-class.

Midrange clarity is mixed because vocals and mids can be clean and natural but are sometimes recessed by the bass-forward tuning.

Midrange is widely described as clear and well-rounded, keeping vocals present and intelligible even with elevated bass.

Multi-platform use is supported by evidence of quick switching and pairing across a phone and tablet.

Multi-device use across iOS, Android and computers is reported as smooth overall, helped by Bluetooth 5.3, multipoint and app support on both mobile platforms.

Multipoint connectivity is repeatedly confirmed and generally described as useful for switching between computers, phones, tablets, or calls.

Multipoint is widely reported to work, but switching behavior is sometimes manual (for example, pausing on one device before playing on another) and auto-switching is not always present.

Passive isolation is strong when the seal works, aided by the earbud housing and silicone tips.

Passive isolation is frequently praised thanks to the seal and pads, with some reviewers saying it blocks a lot even before ANC is enabled.

Portability is a recurring weakness because the case is often described as too large, bulky, or hard to pocket.

Portability is a mixed point: the headphones can travel fine in the included case, but limited foldability and case size make them less packable than some competitors.

Preset EQ quality is supported by the Clear Vocal preset fixing a vocal detail issue in one review.

Preset EQ profiles are seen as useful starting points, though some reviewers say differences can be subtle and custom EQ is where the headphones shine.

Replaceable earpads are called out as easy to swap, supporting long-term comfort and maintenance.

Sensors score poorly because multiple reviews mention missing wear detection or desired auto-pause behavior.

Wear detection/sensors are generally convenient and responsive, but a few users report occasional pause/resume glitches.

Sidetone is a useful call feature, helping wearers hear their own voice naturally during calls.

Sidetone/voice passthrough during calls is mentioned as an area for improvement, with at least one reviewer wanting clearer amplification of their own voice.

Setup is generally simple through automatic power-on, fast pairing, Google Fast Pair, and quick reconnection.

Setup and software are usually described as straightforward, but there are a few reports of pairing or sensor quirks that may require firmware updates or re-pairing.

Overall sound quality is widely liked for warm, satisfying, bass-friendly performance, though a few reviewers stop short of flagship praise.

Sound quality is a standout theme: detailed, engaging, and competitive with more expensive headphones; however, several note the SE stock tuning can lean bass-forward and benefits from EQ to taste. Wired listening via USB-C (and via included USB-C to 3.5mm cable) is described as a strong option, often sounding excellent and sometimes driving higher volume than Bluetooth.

Soundstage depth is mostly respectable, but the image can feel close or less expansive than some reviewers hoped.

Soundstage width is often praised as wraparound, broad, or convincing, despite one reviewer wanting more width.

Many reviews describe a wide, immersive stage, though a minority characterize the presentation as more intimate than the widest options in the category.

Spatial audio is split: some reviewers found 360 Reality Audio immersive, while one found the 3D effect disappointing and others note service limits.

Spatial audio is commonly noted as absent, but several reviewers say the natural soundstage is wide enough that many listeners may not miss it.

Stability is generally good for workouts and head movement, though one TW2 review finds the bulky fit unsteady.

Sustainability is a recurring positive: recyclable packaging, recycled materials, and end-user replaceable battery/earpads are emphasized.

Hear-through mode is useful and often decent, but reviewer praise is less consistent than for battery or EQ.

Transparency mode is considered usable and sometimes very natural, but multiple reviewers say it is not as airy/clear as top competitors and can suffer from wind noise.

Treble is usually clear and present, but some reviews find it subdued, less sharp, or deliberately softened.

Treble performance is repeatedly praised for clarity and detail, with some noting extra sparkle/brilliance when DynamEQ is enabled.

USB-C charging is repeatedly documented and functions as the main wired charging method.

USB-C is the core port for charging and wired audio; reviews generally like the flexibility, though some note it means there is no traditional analog 3.5mm jack on the headphone itself.

Value is mostly favorable because battery, features, and sound compete well around the price, though one reviewer strongly prefers a lower sale price.

Voice assistant support is basic and mixed, with device-assistant access noted but no built-in voice-assistant control.

Voice assistant integration is available via button shortcuts and is generally reported to work as expected.

Volume control is flexible through app step options and the earbuds can get loud.

Overall loudness is usually sufficient and can get very loud, but some reviewers still wish for a bit more headroom over Bluetooth compared to wired use.

Water and sweat resistance is consistently supported, with IPX4 for the original model and IP55 noted for the TW2.

At least one reviewer notes there is no water/sweat resistance rating, so these are not ideal for workouts or wet conditions.

Weight comfort is mixed because the buds are heavier or unbalanced for some but still wearable for others.

Weight is repeatedly cited around 330g, which is heavier than many peers and can impact comfort for those sensitive to top-of-head pressure.