Compare Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 SE Headphones vs JBL Tour One M3 Headphones

Reviewers valued the analog path mainly for travel and older sources, with the Smart Tx and included AUX/USB-C cabling making airplane and headphone-jack use more practical.

ANC is generally judged good or improved, though not always elite; reviewers praised effectiveness while noting Sony/Bose-class options can still outperform it.

ANC was broadly praised as strong to excellent, especially for travel and commuting, but a few reviewers found it behind Bose or Sony or somewhat pressure-heavy.

Advanced software features such as DynamEQ and app changes are useful but taste-dependent, with some reviewers liking the added energy and others preferring simpler original tuning.

The feature set was repeatedly described as loaded, next-gen, or unusually extensive for premium ANC headphones.

Aesthetics split reviewers: some liked the clean design and blue color, while another found the wide look silly when worn.

The design was seen as understated and discreet rather than flashy, with some reviewers appreciating the low-profile look and others calling it unremarkable.

Background noise reduction is viewed as improved and effective, but not the quietest in the class according to comparison-focused reviewers.

Noise-canceling background hiss was specifically praised in one review, which found the headphones almost silent with ANC active.

ANC's effect on the sound signature is mixed: one review praised the lack of tonal shift, while another found ANC-on tuning messier on the SE.

One review preferred the sound with noise cancellation enabled, suggesting ANC can make the presentation fuller rather than worse.

ANC sound impact is similarly split, with TechRadar praising tonal consistency and RecordingNow hearing a more problematic change with ANC on.

Sound impact from ANC was mostly acceptable: one reviewer heard no sonic penalty, while another said turning ANC off made the sound thinner.

Android setup worked smoothly in the tested pairing flow, with the reviewer connecting quickly to a Samsung foldable device.

Android setup received a positive note for Google Fast Pair, which made pairing quick and simple.

The app is widely praised for EQ, controls, and clean layout, though one reviewer wanted clearer EQ frequency labeling.

The JBL app was a major strength, described as comprehensive, user-friendly, class-leading, and packed with useful control and EQ options.

aptX Lossless support is treated as part of the impressive specification.

Gaming/low-latency performance was judged snappy and suitable for videos and fast-paced games.

Audio-video sync was a strength with the Smart Tx and wired-transmitter use, with reviewers reporting no discernible latency, no lag, or clean video sync.

Auracast support was treated as a forward-looking differentiator for shared listening, though its value depends on compatible devices becoming more common.

Wear-detection auto play/pause mostly worked but showed a brief audio cutout in one hands-on test.

Wear-detection auto-pause drew criticism in one travel-heavy review for being too trigger-happy.

Auto-off behavior was seen as reliable, with reviewers noting the headphones and transmitter avoid unnecessary battery drain.

RecordingNow gave the product a strong S-Tier expert score, reflecting award-style recognition in that review.

Bass earns strong praise for impact and EQ potential, but some reviewers found the SE tuning too bass-forward or not fully controlled.

Bass impressions were mixed: many reviewers praised its punch, richness, and control, while a few found stock bass boomy, bland, or overemphasized.

Battery life is one of the clearest strengths, repeatedly called excellent, incredible, extraordinary, or best-in-class.

Battery life was one of the clearest strengths, repeatedly described as long-lasting, class-leading, or exceptional for travel and extended use.

Bluetooth-related experiences were largely positive where judged through pairing and multipoint behavior.

Bluetooth pairing and range received mixed feedback, with easy Apple/Android pairing in one test but weaker-than-expected wireless range in another.

Build quality is consistently praised as sturdy, premium, or strong for the price, with only minor creaking noted in one review.

Build quality was mixed: some reviews found it solid or durable enough, while others criticized cheap-feeling plastic or average construction for the price.

The built-in DAC and hi-res wired playback were praised for improving stability, detail, resolution, and flexibility with USB-C or wired use.

Physical button controls are praised for usability and responsiveness.

Physical controls and buttons were generally praised as easy, certain, and well implemented, especially volume controls and tactile switching.

Cable quality receives a positive note for the included USB-C and 3.5mm cables.

The hard case is generally sturdy and solid, but its size hurts compactness.

The carry case was consistently liked for being slim, compact, stylish, travel-friendly, and useful for storing accessories.

Charging feedback was mostly positive thanks to fast top-ups and reasonable full-charge times, though the separate Smart Tx adds another device to charge.

Clamping force is mostly acceptable or well judged, though one review found the fit snug compared with rivals.

Clamp comfort was praised across reviews as snug, secure, and not too tight, supporting long sessions without squeezing.

Codec support is praised through aptX Adaptive and aptX Lossless support, but wireless LDAC absence is a separate limitation.

Codec support was viewed positively because reviewers noted LDAC, LC3, AAC, and SBC coverage as a useful or strong selection.

Comfort is mixed: some reviewers found it comfortable or improved, while others criticized weight, snugness, or headband pressure over time.

Long-wear comfort was one of the strongest consensus areas, with many reviewers reporting hours of use, flights, or workdays without pain.

Wired listening options are appreciated as part of the broader connectivity package.

Connectivity options were a signature strength, with reviewers praising the ability to connect to phones, laptops, planes, older devices, and many sources.

Design is usually viewed positively, especially the clean lines and color options, although the look is not universally loved.

Design feedback was mostly positive for clean, understated styling, though it rarely reached luxury-level excitement.

The Smart Tx dongle split opinion: many called it unique, practical, or game-changing for travel, while others found it niche, costly, easy to lose, or unnecessary.

Durability is judged positively through solid materials and a reviewer description of the headphones as durable overall.

Durability over time had limited but positive evidence, with one review noting no damage after weeks of bag carry and stress testing.

Ear cup padding and space are generally praised for plushness, roominess, and comfort.

Ear cup and headband padding were widely praised for softness, plushness, and comfort, with some caveats about heat or sweat over time.

Ear cup rotation is judged useful and flexible where reviewed.

One reviewer heard slight creaking during movement, but described it as minor.

Earpad heat and discomfort were raised in one review, which treated the fake leather as a comfort downside over longer wear.

EQ customization is a major strength, with reviewers praising the seven-band EQ and how well the headphones respond to tuning.

EQ customization was a major strength, with reviewers praising the flexible 10- or 12-band EQ and the ability to noticeably improve the sound.

Feature coverage is viewed positively, with reviewers noting modern ANC-headphone features and useful app-based controls.

Reviewers saw the launch feature set as unusually rich, especially the companion app, transmitter, personalization, ANC modes, and travel-focused tools.

Frequency-response impressions are mixed because the SE sounds warmer and less flat than the original, even though the tonal balance can be adjusted.

Frequency balance was generally seen as warm, rich, entertaining, or more balanced than many consumer headphones, with some tuning caveats.

Headband adjustability was not evaluated directly beyond factual mechanism mentions.

Headband adjustability received positive feedback for accommodating different head sizes.

Headband padding is one of the more divisive comfort points, ranging from improved and comfortable to stiff or not meaningfully changed.

Headband padding was described as adequate for longer listening, supporting the broader comfort consensus.

Hinge feel and arm construction are praised for tightness, friction, and premium movement.

Immersion is praised through wide, effortless soundstage comments, even without spatial audio.

Immersive audio quality was praised in flight/movie use, where the experience felt theater-like and more involving.

Included accessories are appreciated, especially the case and cable management touches.

Included accessories were considered generous, especially the USB-C, 3.5mm, USB-A adapter, pouch, and case setup.

Detail retrieval and instrument separation are praised in both written and hands-on listening tests.

Instrument separation was a clear strength in many reviews, with praise for clarity, spacing, and the ability to pick out details in busy tracks.

Microphone quality is good in quiet conditions, but noise suppression is less impressive in background noise.

The integrated microphone setup was praised for making voices sound clear on calls.

LDAC is a clear omission for reviewers who expect high-res wireless codec support.

LDAC was viewed positively for better fidelity, higher resolution, and stronger wireless sound quality.

LE Audio evidence was limited but mildly positive, with one reviewer saying it worked well and another preferring LDAC.

Clarity at higher volume is praised, with reviewers noting strong clarity and no distortion at raised levels.

High-volume performance was split: one reviewer said composure fell apart at big volume, while another praised the ability to handle more volume clearly.

Microphone noise reduction is weaker than some competitors, with one reviewer saying it does not filter as much background noise.

Microphone noise reduction was a major strength, with reviewers praising wind handling, echo reduction, and background-noise filtering.

Microphone quality itself is good in quiet conditions, even if background noise filtering is less strong.

Call microphone quality was generally strong, often described as clear or high quality, though one review found it merely acceptable.

Mids are frequently praised as clear, rounded, and strong with vocals or instruments.

Midrange clarity was mostly positive, especially vocals and detail, with a few reviews wanting fuller or clearer mids.

Multi-platform compatibility was praised for letting the headphones connect through USB-C, USB-A, headphone jacks, and many device types.

Multipoint generally works, but switching can require pausing and there is no automatic switching in one test.

Multipoint reliability was mixed: one review noted stuttering and another noted limited device control, while basic support was present.

Passive noise isolation is a notable strength, with reviewers praising how much noise is blocked before ANC.

Passive isolation was praised as impressive and helpful even before active noise cancellation was enabled.

Overall recommendations are very positive, especially for sound-first buyers and value seekers, with caveats around ANC, comfort, and bulk.

Overall recommendations were generally positive, especially for travelers, feature seekers, and buyers who value comfort and flexibility.

Portability is a weakness because the headphones and case are not especially compact.

Portability was praised for folding, collapsing, and fitting into compact travel cases.

Premium feel is praised through materials, finish, and comparisons to more expensive headphones.

Premium feel was a common weakness, with many reviewers saying the plastic design looked or felt less luxurious than rivals.

Preset and DynamEQ-style tuning are useful but taste-dependent; some presets are usable while DynamEQ can be divisive.

Preset EQ quality was mixed: some reviewers liked or benefited from presets, while others disliked the presets or found bass-heavy modes too boomy.

Replaceable earpads and battery-related serviceability are repeatedly praised as longevity-friendly.

Replaceable earpads were a weakness in one review because the cups were not removable.

Replaceable components receive praise where reviewers focus on the user-replaceable battery as a long-term ownership benefit.

Replaceable pads/headband repairability was weakly supported only by criticism that the cups do not pop off for replacement.

Sensor performance is mostly positive through wear-detection testing, though resume behavior had a minor glitch in one review.

Sidetone/voice passthrough needs improvement according to one reviewer who wanted clearer, louder self-voice feedback.

Sidetone/VoiceAware adjustment received a positive user preference note from one reviewer who liked hearing more of his own voice.

Smart listening features such as DynamEQ are useful for low-volume listening but not universally preferred.

Smart listening features such as Personi-Fi, Smart Talk, hearing profiles, and ambient tools were useful overall but varied by feature.

Smart Pause works quickly in hands-on testing, though one reviewer observed a brief audio glitch when resuming.

Smart Pause performance was inconsistent: some reviews found auto-pause convenient, while others reported lag, false triggers, or missed pauses.

The off-white finish receives a small positive note for resisting a dirty-looking appearance over time.

Setup and software are generally smooth, clean, and intuitive, with fast firmware and app interactions noted.

Software and setup simplicity were praised through the app’s easy design and broad customization access.

Sound quality is the strongest repeated praise, described as detailed, clear, engaging, and high value for the price.

Sound quality was mostly praised as clear, punchy, detailed, or excellent, though several reviewers wanted EQ or found stock sound less exciting.

Soundstage is generally wide and spacious, though one reviewer heard it as more intimate than wide.

Soundstage was generally above average or expansive, but not universally deep or as spacious as some higher-end rivals.

Spatial audio is absent, which some reviewers list as a limitation, though others say the natural soundstage reduces the sting.

Spatial audio was divisive: some reviewers loved the movie immersion, while others found it echoey, disappointing, or merely decent.

Fit stability was praised in limited evidence, with snug clamp distribution keeping the headphones secure while walking.

Sustainability and repairability are praised thanks to recyclable packaging, recycled materials, user-replaceable batteries, and removable pads.

Sustainability materials earn praise from TechRadar, especially the recycled plastic and driver material claims.

Touch controls were mixed, ranging from responsive and intuitive to oversensitive, limited, or unreliable in some testing.

Transparency mode ranges from natural and useful to merely acceptable and less airy than competitors.

Transparency mode was generally praised as natural or effective, with some minor caveats about hiss, muffling, or not matching Apple’s best tone.

Travel friendliness is mixed: battery life is excellent for long trips, but the large case and limited folding hurt portability.

Travel friendliness was one of the strongest themes, driven by comfort, battery life, compact folding, the case, and the Smart Tx airplane use case.

Treble is often praised for detail, shine, and sparkle, but DynamEQ can make the sound more aggressive for some listeners.

Treble was praised for clarity, sparkle, and air in several reviews, though some found it bright, edgy, or close to harsh.

USB-C connectivity is positively mentioned as part of the wired-listening and cable package.

USB-C was positively tied to high-resolution wired use and data transfer, making the headphones more flexible than Bluetooth-only models.

Value is one of the strongest themes, with reviewers repeatedly calling the P100 SE well priced or exceptional for sound quality per dollar.

Value opinions were split: some reviewers called them strong value, while others thought the price, transmitter cost, and plastic feel hurt the equation.

Voice assistant access worked cleanly in hands-on testing.

Voice prompts stand out positively, especially the Matt Berry/Southwark option.

Voice prompts and feedback were mixed, with useful tap feedback in one review and overly loud or annoying prompts in others.

Volume output is mixed: some found it loud enough or very loud, while another wanted more Bluetooth/3.5mm loudness.

Volume output had limited but positive evidence from one reviewer who found gaming audio loud and clear.

Water resistance is a weakness because one reviewer warns users to be careful due to no rating.

Water/sweat resistance was a weakness overall because reviewers noted no official IP rating, even if one tester found incidental moisture did not stop them.

Wear-detection auto-pause is fast, though the broader wear-detection behavior was not flawless.

Wear-detection auto-pause was criticized in one review for false triggers during flight use.

Wear detection performed quickly but had a resume-side glitch that the reviewer wanted fixed.

Wear-detection performance was inconsistent, with one reviewer turning it off after repeated frustration.

Weight comfort is mixed to negative, with one reviewer calling it among the heaviest in class while another found it substantial but acceptable.

Weight comfort was strongly positive, with reviewers repeatedly praising the light feel and reduced head or neck strain.

Wind handling is mixed: one review criticized wind noise in transparency mode, while another found ANC outdoor wind handling very good.

Wind handling was praised in calls, ANC, and outdoor use, with reviewers noting wind resistance and reduced wind noise.