Compare Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S3 Headphones vs Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 SE Headphones

ANC is repeatedly described as a meaningful improvement for B&W and effective for commuting and travel, but many reviews still place it behind Sony and Bose at the top end. Wind and higher-frequency voices can be weak spots in some scenarios. ANC mode control is straightforward (on, off, pass-through) and can be mapped to a quick-action button in some setups. Reviewers note fewer adjustment options than Sony-style multi-mode systems.

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 compatibility is strong, especially thanks to codec breadth and aptX options. Several reviews contrast this with iOS being limited to AAC.

The companion app is generally considered clean and functional, offering key controls and some ecosystem integration. Multiple reviewers still call it simpler than Sony-style apps and note missing power-user 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.

aptX support is repeatedly highlighted, including higher-end variants such as Adaptive and Lossless, making it particularly attractive for compatible Android and Snapdragon Sound devices.

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

Reviewers generally report good sync for video use, with latency described as not an issue for typical phone or laptop watching.

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 consistently described as impactful and controlled rather than boomy, with strong definition. Some listeners find it bass-forward at higher volumes, while others want a bit more sub-bass weight.

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 consistently cited around 30 hours with ANC on, which is solid but not a class leader versus marathon models. Real-world tests generally align with the rating. Multiple reviews note the battery is not user-replaceable, which limits long-term serviceability compared to fully repair-friendly designs.

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 performance is described as stable and reliable in most reviews, including in congested environments. A small number of users report occasional skipping or hiccups, suggesting rare environment or device-specific issues.

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 consistently described as top-tier for the price, with premium materials, refined finish, and sturdy mechanisms.

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

Physical buttons are a plus for many, with tactile, clicky controls that work with gloves. A few reviews call the buttons small or the control layout limited compared to feature-heavy rivals.

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

Included cables (USB-C to USB-C and USB-C to 3.5mm) are generally seen as premium and practical. A couple of reviewers suggest buying longer cables for desk or airplane use.

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

The hard case is repeatedly called excellent, with premium materials, good protection, and a useful magnetic compartment for cables.

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.

Fast charging is a standout, with many references to short top-ups delivering multiple hours of playback.

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.

Clamp is commonly described as moderate-to-firm, helping stability when walking. For some heads it can create pressure points, while others find it secure and comfortable after break-in.

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 a major strength, with broad compatibility (including aptX variants) plus wired USB-C audio options. Several reviews also mention upcoming firmware features like LE Audio, Auracast, and spatial audio depending on region and timing.

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

Comfort is a consistent highlight, with many reviewers wearing them for hours without fatigue. However, some report firm clamp, earcup heat, or fit variability, especially for glasses wearers or outdoor use.

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 is frequently praised as sleek, understated, and premium, with a slimmer profile than prior generations and strong pride-of-ownership appeal.

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.

Detachable cables and USB-C audio add flexibility for laptops and in-flight systems, even without a native 3.5mm jack on the earcup. Most reviews note the headphones typically need to be powered on for wired listening.

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 usually described as plush and premium with good sealing. A few reviews suggest padding feels slightly less supportive than prior models and can get warm over time.

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

Swivel and rotation range are frequently noted as generous, helping the cups seal and sit flatter against the head for comfort and stability.

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

The 5-band EQ is widely welcomed as a major improvement over earlier B&W EQ options and is enough to correct stock tuning. Several reviews still consider it limited versus more granular 10-band systems.

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 described as neutral-with-warmth by several outlets, while others report noticeable swings and a more consumer-friendly curve. Overall, it is closer to balanced than purely V-shaped, but not a strict reference-flat tuning.

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.

Headband adjustment is smooth and easy to dial in, and padding is generally praised. Some users note mild top-of-head pressure depending on head shape and fit.

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.

Arms and hinge mechanisms are described as sturdy, with premium-feeling movement and good resistance. Long-term durability is generally expected to be strong based on materials.

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

Included accessories are viewed as generous for the segment, typically including a premium case and multiple cables for charging and wired playback.

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

Instrument separation and layering are a standout, with reviewers repeatedly noting strong clarity in busy mixes and easy-to-track placement of vocals and instruments.

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

Multiple reviews point out LDAC is not supported, so LDAC-first Android users may need to choose a different model or use wired playback.

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

Even at higher volumes, the presentation stays largely clean and controlled, with low distortion noted in multiple reviews. The main caveat is that bass and treble emphasis can become more prominent if you listen loud.

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

Noise reduction on calls is effective at suppressing background noise, especially wind and street ambience in some demos. The tradeoff is occasional aggressive gating that can alter vocal tone.

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 solid, with clear voice pickup and good intelligibility. In very noisy or windy conditions, some tests report the voice can sound a bit muffled or less natural than top performers like Sony or AirPods Max.

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

Midrange is generally clean and detailed, but multiple reviewers describe it as slightly recessed in the stock tuning; EQ can bring vocals forward. Others highlight the mids as a core strength for clarity and realism.

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 frequently praised as quick and seamless, with fast take-over when switching between phone and computer playback.

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 benefits from an easy-to-achieve seal and helps overall noise reduction. A few notes suggest fit, glasses, or positioning can change results noticeably.

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 mixed: the headphones lie flat and the case is slimmer than before, but they do not fully fold and can take more bag space than foldable rivals.

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.

True Sound and other presets are appreciated for a quick, consistent baseline, but reviewers note the preset lineup is not extensive and serious tuning relies on the manual EQ.

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 a notable plus for longevity, though some reviewers note replacement may require service or specific procedures.

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

Wear-detect and related sensors are commonly mentioned, with adjustability in the app and improved reliability versus older generations in some reports.

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 is generally easy, with quick pairing and a straightforward app experience. Firmware updates and feature rollouts are occasionally cited as timing-dependent.

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.

Across reviews, the PX7 S3 is praised as one of the best-sounding wireless ANC over-ears in its price range, with an engaging, high-end presentation. A minority note the tuning can feel unconventional until you EQ it. Wired listening via USB-C is supported and often described as clearer or more detailed than Bluetooth, though some reviewers hear only modest gains. A few notes mention wired operation may require power and can be finicky depending on source and cable.

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 described as spacious and well-layered for a closed-back ANC headphone, though not the widest in class. Several reviews frame it as more focused or intimate than some rivals, with strong depth and imaging.

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 mentioned as a planned or coming-soon feature in several reviews, but availability at launch is inconsistent. In current form, it is not a primary reason to buy.

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

Materials and serviceable parts (like pads and headband components) are positioned as more sustainable than fully disposable designs. Some reviews also emphasize vegan or leatherette options and longer-term repairability.

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

Transparency mode is often called natural and usable for announcements and quick conversations. Several comparisons say it is not the most open or bright in class, with some upper-frequency muffling.

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 widely called airy and detailed with good sparkle. At louder listening levels, a few reviews mention sibilance or sharpness, so treble-sensitive listeners may prefer a mild EQ cut.

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

USB-C implementation is strong, covering charging and audio, and enabling high-resolution wired playback with compatible sources.

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.

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

Volume output is strong, with several comparisons calling it louder than key competitors at the same device volume settings.

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.

At roughly 300g, weight is acceptable for the materials and feels lighter than some heavy flagships, but heavier than the lightest Sony/Bose options. A few reviewers notice shifting while moving.

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