Compare Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 SE Headphones vs Sennheiser HDB 630 Wireless Over-Ear Headphones

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.

ANC performance is generally rated good to very good, especially for low-frequency rumble, but usually a step behind the strongest Sony/Bose/Apple implementations. A minority of takes place it closer to the leaders, while others call it only average for the price. ANC is highly adjustable through the app, with adaptive and manual control plus optional wind-related processing, making it easy to tune for different environments.

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.

The Smart Control Plus app is repeatedly called a standout, bundling EQ, ANC, connection management, firmware updates, and extras like sound zones and find features. A few reviewers mention occasional glitches, especially when the dongle is connected.

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

aptX family support is frequently cited as a major advantage, and the included dongle helps enable higher-quality aptX links on devices that otherwise lack them.

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

Latency varies by device and mode. With the dongle, it is often good for movies and casual gaming, but several reviews note it is not truly esports-grade and real-world results may sit closer to typical Bluetooth latency.

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.

Bass is typically tight and controlled rather than boosted. Some call it punchy and physical, while others describe sub-bass quantity as lean; bass boost and EQ can add weight, but pushing hard can thicken or muddy the presentation.

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.

Battery life is consistently excellent: many quote around 60 hours with ANC, and measured tests still land in the low-to-mid 50s. Hi-res modes and dongle use can reduce runtime but remain strong for the class.

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.

Bluetooth connectivity is mostly stable once paired, with occasional quirks around device switching and initial dongle pairing on some setups.

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

Build quality is generally solid, but multiple reviews note that materials feel more plastic than premium for the price, and a few mention creaks or rattle.

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

Physical controls are minimal and straightforward, with most interaction handled by touch. Some reviewers wish the lone button were mapped to a different shortcut.

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

Included cables are generally considered useful and of decent length and quality, though a few nitpick terminations or the lack of inline mic support on analog.

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.

The carry case is widely praised as sturdy and well-organized with pockets for cables and the dongle; size is the primary 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.

Charging is frequently praised for speed, with several reviews citing around 7 hours of playback from a 10-minute top-up and roughly 1.5-2 hours for a full charge.

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

Clamping force is usually described as moderate and improved versus Momentum 4, helping stability without feeling overly tight. Fit-dependent seal changes can still affect comfort and tonality.

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

Codec and input support are broad: Bluetooth 5.2 with modern aptX options plus wired USB-C and analog. Not every premium codec is supported everywhere, but overall flexibility is a key selling point.

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.

Long-session comfort is generally strong thanks to thick padding and moderate clamp, but people with larger ears, heat sensitivity, or shallow-pad discomfort may fatigue sooner.

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.

Design is understated and professional with matte black and subtle accents. Some appreciate the minimalist look, while others find it plain or less premium-looking than similarly priced rivals.

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 BTD 700 dongle is valued for enabling better codecs (especially for iOS), improving perceived resolution, and offering lower-latency modes. Setup can be finicky, the protruding plug raises durability concerns for some, and calls or app behavior may worsen in dongle mode on certain devices.

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

Earpads are frequently described as thick, soft, and good at sealing for isolation. The tradeoff is increased heat retention during longer sessions.

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

Swivel range helps the cups lay flat for storage, but one reviewer notes the rotation can be so free that small asymmetries in fit may affect tonal balance.

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

Equalizer tools are a highlight: a five-band parametric EQ with A/B bypass enables precise tuning that can meaningfully tailor bass and treble without third-party apps.

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.

Several reviewers highlight target-curve or reference-leaning balance and good tonal accuracy. Fit and seal still matter, with small positioning changes affecting bass and lower-mid response.

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.

Headband adjustability is typically smooth and offers enough range to dial in fit, contributing to stable wear.

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

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

Included accessories are unusually generous for the category: the dongle, multiple cables, adapters, and a robust case are common value-add callouts.

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

Instrument separation and layering are recurring strengths, helping dense mixes stay intelligible and improving localization, especially with higher-quality sources.

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

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

At higher listening levels, most impressions suggest the sound stays composed and low in audible distortion. A major caveat is that hands-free call modes on some platforms can drop audio bandwidth and make music sound noticeably worse.

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

Noise reduction for calls is generally competent, keeping speech intelligible in moderate noise. Very loud environments and mode changes can still reduce clarity.

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

On standard Bluetooth, most reviewers report clear voice pickup suitable for work calls. Using the dongle or triggering hands-free profiles on certain platforms can degrade call audio or music quality, so results depend heavily on device and mode.

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

Midrange performance is consistently praised for clean, realistic vocals and strong detail retrieval. A couple reviewers note a bit of forwardness around 1-2 kHz that can sound slightly shouty depending on fit and seal.

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.

Multi-platform use is a core strength thanks to Bluetooth plus USB-C and analog options, with the dongle helping iOS users access higher-quality codecs.

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.

Multipoint use (two devices) is supported and often works well, but there are limitations when mixing the dongle with other connections and occasional reports of source confusion.

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

Passive isolation is above average thanks to thicker pads and a strong seal, helping even before ANC is engaged.

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.

Portability is mixed: cups lay flat but the headphone does not fold inward, so it takes more space than some travel rivals. The case is protective yet can be bulky.

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.

Preset EQ profiles and quick toggles like bass boost are generally effective and easy to use. Power users still prefer the parametric EQ for more surgical control.

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.

Wear sensors add convenience (auto play/pause, auto-on), but sensitivity can cause accidental wake-ups for some; most note these features can be disabled.

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

Smudge handling is mixed: matte cups are often described as fingerprint-resistant, but some materials (notably the headband on some units) can pick up grease and grime easily.

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.

Setup is usually straightforward, but dongle pairing steps and occasional app quirks can add friction. Some advanced features require extra steps (like enabling specific audio modes) depending on device.

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.

Across reviews, sound quality is the headline: balanced, highly detailed, audiophile-leaning tuning that competes with top wireless flagships and scales up with the dongle or USB-C. A few reviewers find it less instantly exciting than bass-boosted rivals, but overall fidelity is widely praised. Wired playback (especially via USB-C) is often cited as the cleanest, most resolving path. Analog input works too, but the headphone typically still relies on internal DSP and battery power.

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

Soundstage is considered roomy for a closed-back wireless, with better depth and separation than Momentum 4; crossfeed and the dongle can change the sense of space. It still cannot match open-backs, and a few listeners describe it as more in-head than speaker-like.

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

Spatial audio as a dedicated virtualized mode is often noted as absent; instead, Sennheiser emphasizes EQ and crossfeed-style processing for older mixes.

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

Touch controls are feature-rich, but experiences vary widely: some find them refined and responsive, while others report misreads or frustration with pinch-based ANC gestures.

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.

Transparency mode is typically described as usable and convenient, with adjustable levels and quick toggles. It is rarely considered best-in-class for naturalness, and some reviewers rate it merely adequate.

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

Treble is often described as detailed and generally well-controlled. Opinions diverge: some hear extra energy up top or a dip in the mid-treble that can make the presentation feel a touch closed-in, and sensitivity varies by listener and fit.

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.

USB-C is a versatility highlight for both charging and wired digital audio, and is frequently cited as the cleanest connection option.

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

Voice assistant integration is supported and typically works as expected via a dedicated button or gesture.

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.

Volume output offers solid headroom and gets loud enough to help overcome moderate ambient noise. Heavy EQ boosts can reduce available peak volume due to protective preamp behavior in the app.

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

No official water or sweat rating is typically noted, so these are better treated as commute and travel headphones rather than workout gear.

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

At roughly 311g, weight is noticeable but often well-distributed. Some still prefer lighter competitors for all-day travel comfort.

Xbox support is commonly described as limited, with at least one review noting the dongle route does not work on Xbox.