ANC is one of the weakest consensus areas. Most reviewers said it helps with low-frequency hums but struggles with voices and busy real-world environments. The app offers a useful spread of ANC-related modes, including ambient and wind options, though mode naming and effectiveness are not universally praised.
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.
The companion app is a major asset, repeatedly praised for adding useful control, firmware access, and tuning tools without heavy setup friction.
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 (including Adaptive/Lossless where source devices allow) is consistently mentioned as a key differentiator at this price.
Latency performance is solid for budget headphones. Game mode exists, and reviewers generally found video watching and casual mobile gaming suitably in sync.
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 plentiful and often the star of the tuning, with several reviewers praising deep punch and sub-bass, but others found it bloated or overpowering.
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 is a consistent strong point, with reviewers repeatedly highlighting long runtime that stands out for this price class.
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 stability is a bright spot, with tested reviews noting strong range and dependable day-to-day wireless performance.
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 lands around acceptable for the price: mostly plastic but often described as sturdy enough, with some complaints about rough edges, flimsier parts, or cheap feel.
Build quality is repeatedly described as premium and sturdy for the price, with only occasional mentions of minor creaking.
Physical controls are mostly easy to find and use, but not everyone liked the feel; some reviewers called the buttons cheap even as others found them tactile and intuitive.
Physical button controls are consistently praised for being responsive and reliable, with clear mappings for playback, volume, ANC modes and assistant access.
The included USB-C cable is a common complaint because it is very short, and one reviewer also found it thick and awkward for wired listening.
Included cables are generally described as good quality and part of a well-considered accessory bundle.
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 performance is solid thanks to quick-charge support and easy USB-C top-ups, though exact full-charge impressions vary.
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 repeatedly cited as a strength, with broad compatibility including aptX Adaptive and aptX Lossless alongside standard Bluetooth codecs.
Comfort is the clearest strength across the review set. Multiple reviewers highlighted hours-long wear, soft fit, and minimal fatigue.
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.
The look is functional but plain. Reviewers generally described the design as generic, understated, and mostly black, with comfort valued more than style.
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.
The ear pads earn strong marks for soft foam and plush feel, helping the headphones stay comfortable even during extended sessions.
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.
EQ customization is one of the standout features, with custom tuning, hearing-test tools, and flexible sliders frequently cited as essential to getting the best sound.
EQ control is repeatedly called effective and highly responsive, enabling meaningful tuning changes; a minor recurring gripe is limited granularity/labeling of EQ steps.
Tonal balance is the product's biggest sonic debate, ranging from balanced after tuning to muddy, bass-heavy, or uneven depending on reviewer and setup.
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.
Accessories are sparse. Multiple reviews noted the absence of a case or pouch, and the short charging cable does little to offset the bare-bones bundle.
Included accessories are routinely noted as generous for the price, especially the hard case plus multiple cables and documentation.
Separation is inconsistent. Some reviewers could pick out layered instruments, but others said dense mixes blur together and lose detail.
Instrument separation and layering are highlighted as strong, contributing to a more hi-fi style presentation and easy-to-follow mixes.
Multiple reviewers explicitly note there is no LDAC support, which may matter to users invested in that ecosystem.
High-volume performance is divisive: some reviewers said it stays clean near max, while others heard distortion and worsening shortcomings as volume rises.
At higher volumes, clarity is generally reported as holding up well with strong dynamics and little audible strain or distortion.
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 decent for casual use, with some reviewers praising clear voice pickup, though others heard fuzziness, echo, or reduced vocal nuance.
Call quality is usually rated as good in quiet environments and acceptable overall, though not typically viewed as best-in-class.
Mids are the weak middle ground: some heard clear vocals after EQ, but multiple reviewers said mids sounded recessed, muffled, or overshadowed by bass.
Midrange is widely described as clear and well-rounded, keeping vocals present and intelligible even with elevated bass.
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 is widely praised as easy and reliable once enabled, with smooth switching between phones, tablets, and laptops aside from occasional app-side quirks.
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 frequently praised thanks to the seal and pads, with some reviewers saying it blocks a lot even before ANC is enabled.
The fold-flat, foldable design makes the Wave Life easy to pack, even if the missing case limits travel protection.
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 support is generous, but quality is mixed: the variety is appreciated, yet some reviewers found many presets too quiet or less effective than manual tuning.
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.
Wear detection/sensors are generally convenient and responsive, but a few users report occasional pause/resume glitches.
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 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 polarizing. Positive reviewers heard lively, enjoyable tuning once adjusted, while negative reviewers described muddy, tinny, or bass-skewed playback that fell short out of the box. USB-C wired playback is split. One reviewer said it transforms the sound for the better, while another said wired mode makes an already weak tuning sound worse.
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 is usually described as modest rather than expansive, with only one reviewer calling it spacious and others hearing a constrained presentation.
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 commonly noted as absent, but several reviewers say the natural soundstage is wide enough that many listeners may not miss it.
Sustainability is a recurring positive: recyclable packaging, recycled materials, and end-user replaceable battery/earpads are emphasized.
Transparency is serviceable rather than standout. It usually works well enough for awareness, but several reviewers heard boosted hiss, digital coloration, or limited naturalness.
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 varies with source and tuning. Better reviews found enough sparkle, while harsher reviews said the top end sounded dull, tinny, or messy at extremes.
Treble performance is repeatedly praised for clarity and detail, with some noting extra sparkle/brilliance when DynamEQ is enabled.
USB-C handling is a practical advantage here, covering charging and wired audio playback instead of relying on a separate 3.5mm cable.
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 the headline win: even critics admitted the feature set and comfort are aggressive for the price, though several reviewers still felt the weak ANC or sound tuning limited the bargain.
Voice assistant integration is available via button shortcuts and is generally reported to work as expected.
The Wave Life gets adequately loud for most listeners, but several reviews noted that comfortable listening comes late on the volume scale or that EQ changes reduce output.
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.
At least one reviewer notes there is no water/sweat resistance rating, so these are not ideal for workouts or wet conditions.
Weight is repeatedly cited around 330g, which is heavier than many peers and can impact comfort for those sensitive to top-of-head pressure.