- Alternative: under-$300 alternatives RecordingNow lists Nothing Headphone 1 among under-$300 alternatives to consider.
- Compared: comfort and battery tradeoff The review says Nothing Headphone (1) is a worthy comparison, with Cambridge winning battery while trading comfort.
Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 SE Headphones Review
Bottom Line
Choose the P100 SE for huge battery life, detailed hi-fi-style sound, replaceable parts and strong value under $300. Skip it if you need Bose/Sony-level ANC, a light compact fit, spatial audio or a true 3.5mm jack.
Best for
Best for listeners who prioritize long battery life, detailed sound, aptX support, a strong EQ app and repair-friendly parts at a mid-range price.
Not for
Not for buyers who need the lightest travel headphones, elite ANC, LDAC, spatial audio, water resistance or a dedicated 3.5mm analog jack.
Verdict
The Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 SE lands as a value-first wireless ANC headphone with unusually strong battery life, detailed sound, premium-feeling construction and meaningful repairability. Reviewers repeatedly praised its 60-hour ANC battery, 100-hour ANC-off rating, seven-band EQ, aptX support and hard case. The tradeoff is that it is not the lightest or most compact option, and ANC is good rather than class-leading. Sound tuning is also more polarizing than the original P100: some reviewers liked the stronger bass and DynamEQ, while others preferred the older, clearer neutral tuning.
Compared in Reviews
Products reviewers directly compared with this model, grouped into quick takeaways.
- Worse: sound, app, case and premium feel Tom's Guide says that, for the Sony's price, the Cambridge offers a more interesting sound and stronger overall package.
- Alternative: price-comparable alternative TechRadar names Sony WH-1000XM5 as a chief price-comparable alternative.
- Worse: ANC-on battery life Tom's Guide says the P100 SE lasts about twice as long as the Sony WH-1000XM6 with ANC on.
Feature Scorecards
Pros
-
Battery life had the strongest agreement: every review that addressed it praised the 60-hour ANC and 100-hour ANC-off figures.
-
Bluetooth support was consistently documented as modern Bluetooth 5.3.
-
Bluetooth version evidence consistently identifies Bluetooth 5.3.
-
USB-C is well supported for charging, audio and wired connectivity.
-
Charging was praised for fast top-ups, with five minutes providing hours of playback.
-
Codec support was strong, centered on aptX Lossless, aptX Adaptive, AAC and SBC, with the main caveat that LDAC is absent.
-
aptX support was repeatedly confirmed, including aptX Lossless and aptX Adaptive.
-
Replaceable earpads were documented by multiple reviewers through detachable or removable ear cushions.
-
Replaceability is strong for batteries and ear cushions, though there was no evidence that the headband itself is replaceable.
-
Sustainability materials include plastic-free recyclable packaging, recycled plastic and recycled rare earth neodymium.
-
Sustainability and repairability are clear strengths thanks to recyclable packaging, recycled materials and user-replaceable battery or ear cushions.
-
Hinge construction was described as tight where needed and loose where appropriate, supporting a premium mechanical feel.
-
Value was one of the strongest themes, with multiple reviewers calling the P100 SE aggressively priced or among the best sound-per-dollar options.
-
EQ customization was a major strength, with reviewers repeatedly citing a seven-band EQ that meaningfully changes the sound.
-
Included accessories were viewed positively, especially the hard case and USB-C/3.5mm-related cables.
-
Build quality was broadly praised as top-notch, robust, premium or unusually strong for the $300 class.
-
Physical button controls were praised as well thought out, responsive and preferable for some reviewers.
-
Connectivity options are broad, with Bluetooth, USB-C audio and 3.5mm-related wired listening supported through supplied cables, although there is no dedicated analog jack.
-
Reviewers pointed to strong detail, clarity, space and separation, especially on vocals, instruments and layered tracks.
-
Setup and software were generally smooth, with easy pairing, quick firmware updates and a clean app layout.
-
Overall recommendations were strongly positive across reviews, especially for buyers prioritizing sound quality, battery life and value.
-
Voice prompts are a distinctive feature, especially the Matt Berry/Southwark audible feedback option.
-
Reviewers broadly praised the P100 SE's sound as detailed, engaging and unusually strong for the price, though one What Hi-Fi comparison remained more cautious about drive and dynamism.
-
Premium feel was widely supported through upmarket materials, solid build, strong finish and a more expensive feel than the price suggests.
-
The Melomania app was generally viewed as useful, smooth or streamlined, with access to EQ, ANC settings, updates and feature toggles.
-
Ear cup rotation and swivel were praised, including flexibility, rotation and the ability to lay flat.
-
Passive isolation was praised by multiple reviewers as strong enough to reduce surrounding noise even before ANC is activated.
-
Android compatibility is supported through the Melomania app and Android/iOS app support.
-
Durability evidence comes mainly from replaceable battery/earpads and the sense that benefits outweigh concerns over time.
-
The feature set was described as modern for a wireless ANC headphone at launch.
-
Immersion was usually tied to wide staging, layering and more powerful playback, though the lack of spatial audio remains a separate limitation.
-
Most reviewers heard a spacious or wide soundstage, although one reviewer found the presentation more intimate than especially wide.
-
Design was generally seen as clean, attractive and premium, especially in the new blue or white finishes.
-
Voice assistant support is present through the ANC/control button behavior.
-
Treble was usually described as clear, detailed or sparkling, with some reviewers noting the SE adds extra spice or boosted highs that may not suit purists.
-
Ear cup padding was generally praised for memory foam, plush cushions and spacious cups.
-
Auto-play/wear detection is present, with automatic play/pause available through the app and hands-on testing.
-
Hi-res playback is supported through aptX Adaptive and USB-C wired audio, though this depends on compatible sources and powered operation.
-
Advanced software features include DynamEQ, the refreshed app, EQ, ANC controls, wear detection and related toggles.
-
Midrange comments were mostly favorable, with reviewers highlighting clear vocals and rounded mids, although one comparison found the original P100's midrange thin.
-
Maximum-volume comments were favorable, with reviewers finding loud playback usable and bass remaining clean without obvious distortion.
-
The hard case was usually praised as robust, solid, premium or sturdy, with the caveat that it is large.
-
Cable evidence was positive: reviewers noted included USB-C and 3.5mm-related cables, with TechRadar calling them nice.
-
Wear detection auto-pause is supported and worked in tests, with some minor reliability caveats.
-
Preset EQ support was described as genre-tailored and usable, though one reviewer preferred custom tuning.
-
The headband adjustment mechanism was documented as concealed inside the headband, supporting fit adjustment.
-
Multi-platform compatibility was shown in testing across phone and tablet pairing, but evidence was narrower than for Bluetooth generally.
-
The white/off-white finish was described as resisting a dirty look over time.
-
Physical stability was supported by the extension arm friction staying in place.
-
Bass impressions were mixed but generally positive: several reviewers liked the impact, warmth or EQ-boosted sub-bass, while others found the SE tuning boomier or less controlled than ideal.
-
Smart listening features centered on DynamEQ, automatic play/pause and gaming mode, with reviewers split on whether DynamEQ improves the sound.
-
Latency features were generally positive thanks to gaming mode and low-latency claims, though one reviewer still heard some latency.
-
Integrated microphones are present for calls, ANC and voice functions, including six mics and beamforming/noise suppression.
-
Multipoint was widely supported and usually worked as expected, though reviewers noted limitations such as no app-based device selection or no auto-switching.
-
Sensors are present for wear detection, including a left-side sensor that pauses audio.
-
Comfort was one of the most mixed areas: some reviewers could wear them longer and called them comfortable, while others cited weight, stiffness or pressure over time.
-
ANC was generally considered good, improved or impressive, but not class-leading versus Sony, Bose or other elite noise-canceling models.
-
Transparency mode was considered usable to natural in some reviews, but one comparison said it was less airy and clear than Sony or Bowers & Wilkins competitors.
-
Clamping force was mostly acceptable or improved, though some reviewers still described the fit as snug or constraining.
-
Call quality evidence was positive in quiet use and supported by built-in microphones, though it was not consistently framed as class-leading.
-
ANC sound-signature impact was split between TechRadar's no-tonal-shift finding and one reviewer who said ANC mode changed tonality.
-
ANC's effect on audio was mixed but based on direct ANC evidence: TechRadar heard no tonal shift, while one YouTube reviewer heard tonal changes between ANC on and off.
-
Auto power-off settings are available and configurable in the app.
-
The wired cable setup is convenient because the headphones use detachable supplied cables rather than a fixed cable.
-
Ecosystem integration evidence was limited but positive for Google Fast Pair.
-
Aesthetics were mostly praised as upmarket, cool and attractive, though one reviewer disliked the wide, silly look when worn.
-
Headband padding improved for the SE in several reviews, but some reviewers still found it too stiff or not meaningfully different.
-
ANC background quieting improved on the SE, but reviewers still stopped short of calling it the quietest in the class.
-
The tonal balance drew mixed reactions: some described neutral or slightly warm tuning, while others found the SE less flat and more opinionated than the original.
-
Microphone noise reduction was helped by cVc/CBC processing and improved ANC behavior, but one comparison said it still filters less background noise than Sony and Bowers & Wilkins.
-
Travel friendliness is a tradeoff: battery life is excellent for long trips, but the case and foldability work against light packing.
-
Wind handling was mixed: one reviewer criticized transparency-mode wind noise, while another outdoor ANC test could not hear wind through the mics.
-
Volume output was adequate but not exceptional in Bluetooth or 3.5mm-to-USB-C use, while wired USB-C to a laptop could get much louder.
Cons
-
Weight comfort was a recurring concern because the headphones sit around 330g and were called heavy by multiple reviewers, even when overall comfort was acceptable.
-
Portability was mixed: the headphones can lay flat, but reviewers also criticized the large case and limited foldability.
-
Smart Pause worked but showed a hiccup in one hands-on test where audio briefly cut out when resuming.
-
Wear detection performance was mostly functional but showed one early hiccup in a hands-on test.
-
3.5mm support is nuanced: cables enable 3.5mm-related wired listening, but one reviewer emphasized there is no physical 3.5mm analog jack.
-
Sidetone was a weak point in one comparison, where the reviewer wanted clearer and louder voice passthrough on calls.
-
Spatial audio support is a weakness because multiple reviewers explicitly said the headphones lack proprietary or 3D/spatial audio.
-
Reviewers explicitly noted that LDAC is not supported.
-
The P100 SE does not rely on touch controls; TechRadar framed the design as physical rather than touch-based.
-
A reviewer explicitly warned that there is no water resistance rating.
Compared With Category Average
Compared with other Over-Ear Headphones, this product is above average in aptX, Sustainability and repairability, Wear detection auto-pause, below average in Spatial audio, LDAC, Touch control responsiveness.
| Attribute | This product | Category average | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| aptX | 5.0 | 2.8 | +2.1 |
| Spatial audio | 1.5 | 3.1 | -1.6 |
| LDAC | 1.0 | 2.6 | -1.6 |
| Sustainability and repairability | 4.9 | 3.4 | +1.5 |
| Wear detection auto-pause | 4.2 | 2.8 | +1.5 |
| Touch control responsiveness | 1.0 | 2.5 | -1.5 |
| Auto-play/wear detection | 4.3 | 2.9 | +1.4 |
| Codec support | 5.0 | 3.8 | +1.2 |
FAQ
How long does the Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 SE battery last?
Reviewers repeatedly cited up to 60 hours with ANC on and 100 hours with ANC off. Several treated battery life as the product's clearest strength.
Is the P100 SE noise cancellation class-leading?
No. Reviewers generally found ANC good, improved or impressive, but several said Sony and Bose still lead for maximum noise cancellation.
How does the P100 SE sound?
Most reviewers praised detailed, spacious sound with strong value for the price. The SE tuning is more bass-forward, and opinions split on DynamEQ and whether the original P100 sounded clearer.
Is the P100 SE comfortable for long listening?
Comfort is mixed. Some reviewers liked the improved headband and longer wear time, while others found the 330g weight, snug fit or stiff headband noticeable after a few hours.
Does it support LDAC or spatial audio?
No LDAC or spatial audio support was identified in the reviews. The positive codec evidence centers on aptX Lossless, aptX Adaptive, AAC and SBC.
Can the battery or ear cushions be replaced?
Yes. Multiple reviews noted user-replaceable battery support, and several also cited removable or replaceable ear cushions.
Does it have a true 3.5mm headphone jack?
The wired setup is nuanced. Reviews mention USB-C and 3.5mm-related cables, but one review specifically says the headphone does not have a physical 3.5mm analog jack.
Consider This Instead
If you want better LDAC
Choose JLab Epic Lux Lab Edition Wireless Headphones. It scores 5.0 vs 1.0 for LDAC, with a 4.1 overall score.
If you want better Water/sweat resistance rating
Choose Baseus Inspire XH1 Headphones. It scores 4.5 vs 1.0 for Water/sweat resistance rating, with a 3.8 overall score.
If you want better Spatial audio
Choose Meze Audio 105 Silva Headphones. It scores 4.6 vs 1.5 for Spatial audio, with a 4.4 overall score.
If you want better 3.5mm analog input availability
Choose Beyerdynamic Aventho 300 Wireless Headphones. It scores 5.0 vs 3.1 for 3.5mm analog input availability, with a 3.9 overall score.
Overall Top Over-Ear Headphones Alternatives
Choose the Meze 105 Silva for a beautifully built, comfortable open-back with warm detail and easy source matching. Skip it if you need wireless features, strong isolation, huge staging, or...
Pros: Sustainability and repairability, Replaceable pads/headband
Cons: Advanced software features, Noise isolation (passive)
Choose the Px7 S3 for premium build, superb sound, USB-C listening, and strong comfort. Skip it if you need class-leading ANC, LDAC, or the smallest travel case.
Pros: aptX, Bluetooth version
Cons: LDAC, Water/sweat resistance rating
Choose the Edifier WH950NB Gen 2 for strong ANC, plush comfort, LDAC, huge battery life, and travel-ready value. Skip it if you need booming bass, foolproof onboard controls, or zero...
Pros: Award recognition, Battery
Cons: Button control usability, Maximum volume clarity
Choose the JBL Tour One M3 if you travel often and want long battery life, comfort, ANC, and Smart Tx flexibility. Skip them if premium materials, best-in-class ANC, or pure...
Pros: Travel friendliness, Connectivity options
Cons: Water/sweat resistance rating, Replaceable earpads