Cambridge Audio today introduced its first over-ear headphone. The new Melomania P100 is a wireless noise-cancelling headphone which joins the recently launched Melomania M100 true wireless earbuds to form the new Melomania range for 2024.
P100 Features
Drivers and Amplification: The P100 incorporates a 40mm three-layer Mylar driver that has been matched with Class AB amplification (as used on Cambridge Audio’s CX Series amplifiers). This is intended to provide deep bass and high-frequency clarity. Cambridge Audio claims that Class A/B amplification provides more engaging listening than the Class D tech used by other competitors.
Bluetooth/Qualcomm Snapdragon Sound: To ensure the combination of premium driver and class-leading amplification can reach their full potential, the P100 incorporates Bluetooth 5.3 with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Sound.
Support is provided for aptX Lossless and aptX Adaptive (up to 24-bit/96kHz), alongside codec support for SBC and AAC. Bluetooth Multipoint connectivity is also included.
Tip: In addition to wireless Bluetooth operation, wired operation is supported via USB-C to 3.5mm jack or USB-C to USB-C (both cables supplied).
Noise Cancellation: The Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) offers three user-selectable settings along with Transparency mode.
Battery Life: In addition to the drivers, amplification, and Bluetooth, the P100 has up to 60 hours of battery life (extending to 100 hours with noise-canceling turned off).
This supports a continuous music listening experience for a work week or holiday weekend. In addition, a 5-minute fast charge can provide up to two 2-hours of listening with ANC On or four hours with ANC off.
Melomania Connect App: Using the Melomania Connect App (iOS/Android) the provided audio settings include a 7-band EQ with 6 presets, along with a Gaming mode that supports accurate sound sync (you can use Gaming Mode for TV viewing as well).
Cambridge Sound: Right out of the box, P100 is tuned to deliver the acclaimed Cambridge sound – transparent and natural, taking you closer to the music without distorting it. But everyone is different, not just in their tastes but in how they hear. That’s why P100 offers options to help users tweak sound to suit their preferences.
Sustainability: Cambridge Audio has also incorporated Sustainability in the P100’s design. User-replaceable batteries and earpads extend product life, and the use of 50% recycled plastic and aluminum, as well as recycled neodymium for the drivers. Plastic-free packaging has also been chosen. The earpads are made with “vegan leather“.
Fun Tip: Audible feedback guest-voiced by actor and musician Matt Berry (English language only).
Initial Impression
The wireless headphone category is incredibly competitive and there is no question that Apple, Sony, Bose, Beats, and Sennheiser control a substantial percentage of the market.
High-end brands like Focal, Bowers & Wilkins, DALI, and Master & Dynamic offer superior solutions but that all of that innovation and uptick in performance comes with a much higher price tag.
Cambridge Audio’s Melomania P100 are far more affordable and we really like the support for Bluetooth 5.3 and aptX Lossless and aptX Adaptive. Having not listened to them yet, we can’t say how they compare to the competition, but we suspect these might be well worth checking out if they genuinely offer the performance that Cambridge Audio’s products consistently deliver.
$279 feels like a great deal if these offer ANC and sonic performance that is comparable or superior to the market leading Apple and Sony wireless headphones.
Price & Availability
The Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 is available in a White or Black finish at cambridgeaudio.com and Amazon, priced at $279/£229/€279.