Compare Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 SE Headphones vs SONY WH-1000XM6 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.

Reviewers consistently call the XM6 noise canceling best-in-class, especially for voices and higher-frequency chatter, with many saying it slightly edges Bose and clearly improves over prior XM models. The XM6 offers plenty of ANC control through adaptive modes, multiple ambient levels, and quick gestures like covering the earcup, giving users more ways to tailor isolation than simple on/off.

Android users get strong support via Fast Pair and LDAC hi-res options, and several reviewers note Android is the better match if you care about Sony codecs and deeper app features.

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 companion app is powerful but divisive: some praise the refreshed layout and feature depth, while others still find it crowded or unintuitive for everyday settings changes.

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

Multiple reviews point out the lack of aptX support (including aptX HD), which limits non-Sony hi-res options on Android compared with some rivals.

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 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 widely described as punchy and satisfying with better control than XM5, though a few listeners still find the low end a bit dominant unless you EQ it.

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 repeatedly reported around 30 hours with ANC on and up to 40 with it off, which beats AirPods Max but trails battery champs like Sennheiser Momentum 4 or JBL in some tests. At least one review criticizes the lack of a replaceable battery, which limits long-term serviceability compared with more repair-friendly designs.

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 performance is generally stable in daily use, with only occasional notes that the highest LDAC bitrate can be finicky on some Android devices.

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

Build quality gets mixed feedback: the headphones feel well-made and lighter than metal rivals, but the mostly plastic shell does not feel as premium as AirPods Max or some Bose and Bowers models.

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

Sony’s two-button layout is praised for being easy to distinguish by feel (especially the redesigned power button), though some users still wish for more physical controls overall.

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

Included cables draw some criticism for feeling basic at a premium price, with requests for higher-quality or more modern USB-C-to-USB-C accessories.

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 magnetic hard case is a standout: reviewers love the fast latch, compact footprint enabled by folding, and solid protection, with only minor complaints about fitting the headphones in quickly.

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.

Fast charging is a consistent highlight (roughly 3 minutes for about 3 hours), and several reviews applaud that you can now charge while listening.

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

Clamping pressure is generally described as secure without being painful, helping the seal for ANC; a few note glasses pressure or a slightly tighter fit than prior models.

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

Codec support is strong overall with SBC, AAC, LDAC and LC3 commonly mentioned, plus LE Audio talk in some coverage; the main knock is what is missing rather than what is included.

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.

Comfort is usually rated excellent for long sessions thanks to low weight and soft pads, but there are repeated caveats about heat buildup, occasional sweaty ears, and fit hotspots for some ear shapes.

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.

Aesthetics are seen as clean and understated with multiple color options, but some reviewers call the look less premium than metal competitors and note the earcups can protrude more than 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.

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

The vegan leather pads feel soft and seal well, but multiple long-wear notes mention warmth or sweat buildup, and a few users report fit hotspots from the internal cup shape.

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

The return of greater swivel and flat rotation helps comfort when resting around the neck and makes packing the headphones into the case more practical.

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

EQ tools are a major strength, with a full 10-band EQ and guided tuning features that help users dial bass, mids and treble to taste.

Find My style tracking is mentioned mainly for Android Find My Device support, adding convenience for locating the headphones in the right ecosystem.

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.

The wider headband and easy adjustability earn praise for spreading pressure better than before, though a few people still want more padding thickness at the top.

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

The hinge redesign is widely viewed as a meaningful durability upgrade over XM5, but a handful of reviewers remain cautious about long-term wear in the folding joint.

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

Most reviews confirm you get a 3.5mm cable and a USB charging cable plus case storage, though several wish the bundle felt more premium given the price.

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

Instrument separation is generally described as clear and well-layered for a mainstream ANC headphone, though a few comparisons still give the edge to AirPods Max for openness.

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

LDAC support is a key advantage for Android listeners who want higher-quality Bluetooth audio, with some notes that dropping to a lower LDAC mode can help stability on certain phones.

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 noise suppression is repeatedly praised, with reviewers citing strong wind reduction and AI-driven voice separation that keeps conversations clear in busy streets.

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

Microphone performance is frequently labeled among the best in the category, delivering clear voice pickup for calls and meetings even in noisy environments.

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

Midrange and vocal clarity are a strong point in many tests, with several reviewers calling voices more natural, textured, or forward compared with XM5.

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 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 is commonly reported as reliable for two-device use, and reviewers like the flexibility of mixing Apple and non-Apple devices.

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

Even before ANC, the seal provides strong passive isolation; multiple reviews mention the natural seal doing a lot of the work for travel and office noise.

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.

Folding is back and widely celebrated, making the XM6 much more travel-friendly than XM5, with a smaller packed footprint and easier around-the-neck resting.

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.

Guided or test-based EQ features are seen as helpful for non-audiophiles, letting you land on a preferred sound quickly without manual frequency tweaking.

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

Replaceable earpads are called out as a plus for longevity and hygiene, keeping the XM6 more maintainable than some sealed designs.

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

Wear detection, quick attention, speak-to-chat, and gesture options are frequently cited as practical quality-of-life features that make the XM6 feel smarter day to day.

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

The matte finish can show fingerprints and smudges, especially on darker colors, so buyers who care about appearance may prefer lighter finishes.

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.

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.

Sound quality is broadly praised as an upgrade over XM5 with a richer, cleaner presentation; most reviews call it excellent out of the box and even better once you tailor EQ. Several reviews say wired listening via the 3.5mm cable can improve clarity, but you still do not get a digital USB-C audio path.

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 generally good but not class-leading; some reviews call it slightly constrained compared with AirPods Max or other audiophile-leaning over-ears.

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 support is mixed: upmix and head tracking can be fun for movies, but music support and service availability are inconsistent, and some reviewers find the setup confusing or the results underwhelming.

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

Touch gestures are usually accurate and responsive, but critics dislike accidental swipes, glove-unfriendliness, or the lack of sensitivity controls.

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 widely improved and often described as near top-tier, though some people still hear a slightly processed quality or amplified self-voice versus AirPods Max.

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

Treble is generally detailed and clear, with a few listeners noting a bit of sizzle or peaks that may benefit from minor EQ.

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 solid for charging and quick top-ups, but multiple reviews call out the absence of wired USB-C audio as a notable miss at this price.

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

Voice assistant features range from handy to hit-or-miss: integration for assistants and voice commands is present, but at least one long-term review reports inconsistent recognition.

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.

No summary yet.

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 254g, weight is a consistent advantage; multiple comparisons highlight it as far lighter than AirPods Max and easy to wear for travel days.