When an established brand decides to expand its product line into a new category, expectations run high. This is especially true for Cambridge Audio, a company renowned for its high-fidelity amplifiers, DACs, and speakers. Their debut in the wireless headphone market with the Melomania P100 aimed to uphold this legacy of excellence. Priced at $279, the Melomania P100 not only enters a competitive segment but also sets out to establish itself as a serious contender.
The Melomania P100 takes a bold step forward by combining an elegant design with impressive battery life and a clear, crisp sound profile. Despite being the company’s first attempt in this space, it’s evident that Cambridge Audio has put careful thought into crafting a product that aims to satisfy discerning audio enthusiasts. However, like any debut product, it comes with its share of strengths and shortcomings.
Refined Design and Build Quality
One of the most striking features of the Melomania P100 is its premium design. In a market saturated with plastic-heavy builds, Cambridge Audio chose to differentiate itself with a refined aesthetic that incorporates aluminum accents, vegan leather, and soft memory foam ear cups. These materials not only elevate the visual appeal but also provide a sense of durability and sophistication that rivals many higher-priced models.
The headband is lined with cross-hatched fabric on the underside, adding an interesting textural contrast while maintaining a cohesive color scheme. This design choice highlights Cambridge Audio’s attention to detail, ensuring the headphones feel as good as they look. Even with its premium look, the Melomania P100 manages to maintain a lightweight form, making it easy to wear for extended periods—though, as we’ll discuss later, comfort has its limits.
In terms of usability, the P100 is equipped with physical controls that are both reliable and easy to use. These controls allow users to adjust volume, play or pause music, and activate noise cancellation without needing to reach for their devices. While some brands opt for touch-sensitive controls, the tactile buttons on the Melomania P100 provide a level of precision that many users prefer.
Exceptional Battery Life
Battery life is often a decisive factor for wireless headphones, and Cambridge Audio has outdone itself in this department. With active noise cancellation (ANC) set on, the Melomania P100’s battery lasts an amazing 60 hours, and when ANC is off, it lasts an even more remarkable 100 hours. This level of endurance places it well ahead of many competitors in the same price range.
During testing, the headphones consistently delivered on these promises. Even with ANC active and at moderate volume levels, the P100 comfortably reached the 60-hour mark. This makes it an excellent choice for long trips, work-from-home setups, or anyone who dislikes frequent charging. The inclusion of a quick-charge feature is another thoughtful touch, allowing users to gain several hours of playback from just a five-minute charge.
One of the standout features is the user-replaceable battery, a rarity in the wireless headphone market. Over time, battery degradation can render even the best headphones obsolete, so the ability to replace the battery extends the lifespan of the P100 significantly. Additionally, the ear pads are replaceable, ensuring users can maintain the headphones’ comfort and aesthetics for years to come.
Impressive Audio Performance
Cambridge Audio’s expertise in sound engineering is evident in the Melomania P100. The headphones are powered by the same Class AB amplification technology found in the company’s CX series hi-fi amplifiers. Paired with three-layer 40mm drivers, this setup delivers a sound profile that prioritizes clarity and detail.
The P100 excels in reproducing crisp, clean audio across a variety of genres. Whether it’s the intricate layers of jazz, the raw emotion of ‘90s grunge, or the storytelling of country music, the headphones provide an immersive listening experience. Highs and mids are particularly well-defined, with snare hits, vocals, and acoustic instruments standing out with precision. Tracks like Sleep Token’s “Vore” showcase the headphones’ ability to maintain clarity even during complex, heavily layered sections.
However, the bass performance is where the P100 falls slightly short. While the low-end is present, it lacks the punch and depth that bass enthusiasts might expect. This makes the headphones better suited for genres that don’t rely heavily on booming basslines, such as classical or acoustic music. Fortunately, Cambridge Audio includes a customizable equalizer within the companion app, allowing users to tweak the sound profile to their liking.
Comfort and Wearability
While the Melomania P100 impresses in many areas, comfort is a mixed bag. The memory foam ear pads are soft to the touch and provide decent cushioning, but they don’t completely eliminate pressure during prolonged use. After about 30 minutes of continuous wear, the ridges of the ear cups become noticeable, which can detract from the overall comfort.
This issue became particularly apparent during long-haul use, such as a six-hour flight. While the discomfort didn’t reach a point of being painful, it was enough to serve as a reminder that these headphones are not in the same league as the Bose QuietComfort Ultra or Sony WH-1000XM5 when it comes to all-day comfort.
The headband, however, strikes a good balance between firmness and flexibility. It provides a secure fit without feeling overly tight, making the headphones suitable for moderate activity like commuting or light exercise.
Features and Connectivity
Cambridge Audio has equipped the Melomania P100 with a robust set of features that enhance usability. The headphones support aptX Lossless for high-quality wireless audio, ensuring a rich listening experience even without a wired connection. For audiophiles, the option to connect via a wired 24-bit/96kHz link is a welcome addition.
Active noise cancellation on the P100 is reliable and performs well in most environments. While it doesn’t reach the noise-blocking levels of premium models like the Sony WH-1000XM5, it’s effective enough to eliminate background chatter in coffee shops or engine noise during flights. Adaptive ANC adjusts automatically based on the environment, providing a seamless listening experience without the need for manual adjustments.
That said, the P100 lacks some of the advanced features that have become standard in this price range. There’s no support for spatial audio, no voice-detection technology to pause playback during conversations, and no advanced automation features. While these omissions might be excusable given the price, their absence is noticeable when compared to competitors that offer more comprehensive feature sets.
Final Verdict on the Melomania P100
Cambridge Audio has made an impressive debut in the wireless headphone market with the Melomania P100. The combination of premium design, exceptional battery life, and clear, balanced audio makes it a compelling option for those seeking high-quality headphones under $300. The attention to repairability, with user-replaceable batteries and ear pads, is a refreshing approach that sets the P100 apart from many of its rivals.
However, the P100 is not without its flaws. The lack of bass depth might disappoint fans of bass-heavy genres, and the comfort issues during extended use prevent it from competing with the most comfortable models on the market. Additionally, the absence of advanced features like spatial audio or speech detection means it falls short in terms of innovation.
Overall, the Melomania P100 is a commendable first effort from Cambridge Audio. It’s a solid choice for those who prioritize sound clarity, battery life, and durability over cutting-edge features or booming bass. With this strong foundation, there’s little doubt that Cambridge Audio’s future iterations will continue to refine and expand on this promising start.