- Compared: overall competition RecordingNow says the P100 SE competes very well against Sony WH-1000XM6.
- Worse: battery life The P100 SE is described as offering double the ANC-on battery life of Sony WH-1000XM6.
Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 SE Headphones Review
Bottom Line
Choose the P100 SE for huge battery life, strong sound, useful EQ, and standout value. Skip it if you need class-leading ANC, the lightest comfort, spatial audio, or a compact travel case.
Best for
Best for listeners who prioritize battery life, detailed sound, flexible EQ, and strong value over having the absolute strongest ANC. It also suits buyers who appreciate repairability and physical controls.
Not for
Not for travelers who need the smallest folding case, users who are sensitive to headband pressure or weight, or buyers who want spatial audio and top-tier ANC above all else.
Verdict
The Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 SE earns broad praise for battery stamina, sound quality, and value, with several reviewers calling it one of the strongest wireless ANC buys around its price. Its biggest strengths are long ANC-on runtime, detailed and engaging audio, responsive EQ, sturdy materials, and repair-minded touches such as replaceable batteries or pads. The main tradeoff is that it is not the easiest travel or comfort pick: multiple reviewers note weight, headband pressure, bulk, or a large case. Noise cancelling is improved and often good, but not consistently framed as class-leading, and DynamEQ divides listeners who prefer the older neutral tuning.
Compared in Reviews
Products reviewers directly compared with this model, grouped into quick takeaways.
- Compared: overall competition RecordingNow includes Apple AirPods Max among the P100 SE's serious competitors.
- Compared: overall competition RecordingNow says the P100 SE competes very well against Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3.
Feature Scorecards
Summary
75 reviewed features- Very positive 4.5-5.0 51% 38 features
- Positive 3.5-4.4 37% 28 features
- Neutral 2.5-3.4 9% 7 features
- Negative 1.5-2.4 3% 2 features
- Very negative below 1.5 0% 0 features
Pros
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Battery life is one of the clearest strengths, repeatedly called excellent, incredible, extraordinary, or best-in-class.
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Voice prompts stand out positively, especially the Matt Berry/Southwark option.
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aptX Lossless support is treated as part of the impressive specification.
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RecordingNow gave the product a strong S-Tier expert score, reflecting award-style recognition in that review.
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Codec support is praised through aptX Adaptive and aptX Lossless support, but wireless LDAC absence is a separate limitation.
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Wired listening options are appreciated as part of the broader connectivity package.
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Hinge feel and arm construction are praised for tightness, friction, and premium movement.
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Immersion is praised through wide, effortless soundstage comments, even without spatial audio.
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Sustainability materials earn praise from TechRadar, especially the recycled plastic and driver material claims.
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Voice assistant access worked cleanly in hands-on testing.
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Build quality is consistently praised as sturdy, premium, or strong for the price, with only minor creaking noted in one review.
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Sustainability and repairability are praised thanks to recyclable packaging, recycled materials, user-replaceable batteries, and removable pads.
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Replaceable earpads and battery-related serviceability are repeatedly praised as longevity-friendly.
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EQ customization is a major strength, with reviewers praising the seven-band EQ and how well the headphones respond to tuning.
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Physical button controls are praised for usability and responsiveness.
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Overall recommendations are very positive, especially for sound-first buyers and value seekers, with caveats around ANC, comfort, and bulk.
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Setup and software are generally smooth, clean, and intuitive, with fast firmware and app interactions noted.
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Detail retrieval and instrument separation are praised in both written and hands-on listening tests.
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Clarity at higher volume is praised, with reviewers noting strong clarity and no distortion at raised levels.
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Passive noise isolation is a notable strength, with reviewers praising how much noise is blocked before ANC.
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The app is widely praised for EQ, controls, and clean layout, though one reviewer wanted clearer EQ frequency labeling.
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Sound quality is the strongest repeated praise, described as detailed, clear, engaging, and high value for the price.
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Premium feel is praised through materials, finish, and comparisons to more expensive headphones.
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Value is one of the strongest themes, with reviewers repeatedly calling the P100 SE well priced or exceptional for sound quality per dollar.
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Design is usually viewed positively, especially the clean lines and color options, although the look is not universally loved.
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Mids are frequently praised as clear, rounded, and strong with vocals or instruments.
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Ear cup padding and space are generally praised for plushness, roominess, and comfort.
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Volume output is mixed: some found it loud enough or very loud, while another wanted more Bluetooth/3.5mm loudness.
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Smart listening features such as DynamEQ are useful for low-volume listening but not universally preferred.
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Android setup worked smoothly in the tested pairing flow, with the reviewer connecting quickly to a Samsung foldable device.
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Gaming/low-latency performance was judged snappy and suitable for videos and fast-paced games.
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Bluetooth-related experiences were largely positive where judged through pairing and multipoint behavior.
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Durability is judged positively through solid materials and a reviewer description of the headphones as durable overall.
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Feature coverage is viewed positively, with reviewers noting modern ANC-headphone features and useful app-based controls.
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Headband adjustability was not evaluated directly beyond factual mechanism mentions.
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Included accessories are appreciated, especially the case and cable management touches.
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Replaceable components receive praise where reviewers focus on the user-replaceable battery as a long-term ownership benefit.
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USB-C connectivity is positively mentioned as part of the wired-listening and cable package.
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Treble is often praised for detail, shine, and sparkle, but DynamEQ can make the sound more aggressive for some listeners.
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Soundstage is generally wide and spacious, though one reviewer heard it as more intimate than wide.
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Background noise reduction is viewed as improved and effective, but not the quietest in the class according to comparison-focused reviewers.
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The hard case is generally sturdy and solid, but its size hurts compactness.
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Multipoint generally works, but switching can require pausing and there is no automatic switching in one test.
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Bass earns strong praise for impact and EQ potential, but some reviewers found the SE tuning too bass-forward or not fully controlled.
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ANC is generally judged good or improved, though not always elite; reviewers praised effectiveness while noting Sony/Bose-class options can still outperform it.
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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.
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Transparency mode ranges from natural and useful to merely acceptable and less airy than competitors.
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Cable quality receives a positive note for the included USB-C and 3.5mm cables.
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Ear cup rotation is judged useful and flexible where reviewed.
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Microphone quality is good in quiet conditions, but noise suppression is less impressive in background noise.
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Microphone quality itself is good in quiet conditions, even if background noise filtering is less strong.
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Sensor performance is mostly positive through wear-detection testing, though resume behavior had a minor glitch in one review.
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The off-white finish receives a small positive note for resisting a dirty-looking appearance over time.
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Wear-detection auto-pause is fast, though the broader wear-detection behavior was not flawless.
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Comfort is mixed: some reviewers found it comfortable or improved, while others criticized weight, snugness, or headband pressure over time.
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Clamping force is mostly acceptable or well judged, though one review found the fit snug compared with rivals.
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Aesthetics split reviewers: some liked the clean design and blue color, while another found the wide look silly when worn.
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Preset and DynamEQ-style tuning are useful but taste-dependent; some presets are usable while DynamEQ can be divisive.
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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.
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ANC sound impact is similarly split, with TechRadar praising tonal consistency and RecordingNow hearing a more problematic change with ANC on.
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Wind handling is mixed: one review criticized wind noise in transparency mode, while another found ANC outdoor wind handling very good.
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Wear-detection auto play/pause mostly worked but showed a brief audio cutout in one hands-on test.
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One reviewer heard slight creaking during movement, but described it as minor.
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Smart Pause works quickly in hands-on testing, though one reviewer observed a brief audio glitch when resuming.
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Travel friendliness is mixed: battery life is excellent for long trips, but the large case and limited folding hurt portability.
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Wear detection performed quickly but had a resume-side glitch that the reviewer wanted fixed.
Cons
-
Headband padding is one of the more divisive comfort points, ranging from improved and comfortable to stiff or not meaningfully changed.
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Frequency-response impressions are mixed because the SE sounds warmer and less flat than the original, even though the tonal balance can be adjusted.
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Weight comfort is mixed to negative, with one reviewer calling it among the heaviest in class while another found it substantial but acceptable.
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Spatial audio is absent, which some reviewers list as a limitation, though others say the natural soundstage reduces the sting.
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Portability is a weakness because the headphones and case are not especially compact.
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Microphone noise reduction is weaker than some competitors, with one reviewer saying it does not filter as much background noise.
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Sidetone/voice passthrough needs improvement according to one reviewer who wanted clearer, louder self-voice feedback.
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LDAC is a clear omission for reviewers who expect high-res wireless codec support.
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Water resistance is a weakness because one reviewer warns users to be careful due to no rating.
Compared With Category Average
Compared with other Over-Ear Headphones, this product is above average in aptX, Sustainability and repairability, Voice prompts/feedback, below average in Sidetone adjustment quality.
Summary
8 compared features- Above average 0.4+ pts higher 88% 7 features
- Same as average within 0.3 pts 0% 0 features
- Below average 0.4+ pts lower 13% 1 feature
| Attribute | This product | Category average | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| aptX | 5.0 | 3.3 | +1.7 |
| Sustainability and repairability | 4.9 | 3.5 | +1.4 |
| Voice prompts/feedback | 5.0 | 3.6 | +1.4 |
| Hinge durability | 5.0 | 3.6 | +1.4 |
| Sidetone adjustment quality | 2.5 | 3.9 | -1.4 |
| Codec support | 5.0 | 3.7 | +1.3 |
| Sustainability materials | 5.0 | 3.7 | +1.3 |
| Replaceable earpads | 4.9 | 3.8 | +1.1 |
FAQ
How good is the P100 SE battery life?
Reviewers repeatedly describe it as exceptional, with 60 hours quoted with ANC on and 100 hours with ANC off, and several found those claims impressive or accurate.
Is the P100 SE sound quality good?
Yes. Reviewers generally praise its detail, clarity, bass potential, soundstage, and EQ responsiveness, though some prefer the original P100's more neutral stock tuning.
Is the noise cancellation class-leading?
No. Reviewers describe it as good, improved, or very acceptable, but several still place it behind elite Sony, Bose, Apple, or Sonos options.
Are the P100 SE headphones comfortable?
Comfort is mixed. Some reviewers found the SE comfier or comfortable for longer sessions, while others criticized the weight, snug fit, and stiff headband pressure.
Is DynamEQ worth using?
It depends on taste. Some reviewers liked the extra bass and treble at lower volumes, while others found it more aggressive or preferred leaving it off.
Are they good for travel?
The battery life is excellent for travel, but the case is repeatedly described as large or not especially compact, and the headphones do not fold very small.
Do they offer good long-term repairability?
Yes. Reviewers praise the user-replaceable battery and removable or replaceable ear cushions as consumer-friendly, longevity-focused touches.
Sample Expert Reviews We Analyzed
These are a few of the reviews included in our analysis.
Video Reviews
YouTube - Youtube
- Review score
- 4.4/5
YouTube - Youtube
- Review score
- 4.2/5
Article Reviews
whathifi.com
- Review score
- 4.0/5
architeg-prints.com
- Review score
- 4.2/5
loudnwireless.com
- Review score
- 3.8/5
tomsguide.com
- Review score
- 4.8/5
Consider This Instead
If you want better LDAC
Choose JLab Epic Lux Lab Edition Wireless Headphones. It scores 4.6 vs 2.0 for LDAC, with a 3.9 overall score.
If you want better Sidetone adjustment quality
Choose Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless Headphones. It scores 4.6 vs 2.5 for Sidetone adjustment quality, with a 3.9 overall score.
If you want better Microphone noise reduction
Choose SONY WH-1000XM6 Headphones. It scores 5.0 vs 3.0 for Microphone noise reduction, with a 3.9 overall score.
If you want better Portability/foldability
Choose JBL Tour One M3 Headphones. It scores 4.8 vs 3.0 for Portability/foldability, with a 4.0 overall score.
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