UK-based audio manufacturer Cambridge Audio has updated its inaugural over-ear headphone line with the release of the Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 SE. These wireless over-ear headphones are equipped with active noise cancellation and target audiophiles by offering high-end features such as aptX Lossless support paired with Snapdragon Sound. Additionally, they provide flexible connectivity with both USB-C and 3.5 mm analog wired options. The manufacturer advertises a battery life of up to 60 hours with ANC enabled, reaching up to 100 hours depending on listening settings. In testing with ANC activated, the headphones delivered a strong 63.5 hours of continuous playback time.
Design, Ergonomics, and Fitness Suitability
The Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 SE headphones are not built for fitness enthusiasts or intensive athletic activities. Their overall bulky design lacks the aerodynamic profile needed for physical workouts, and sudden movements can cause them to shift or fall off the head. While the headphones remain physically comfortable for daily wear, the synthetic leather earpads trap heat and moisture around the ears. This heat retention makes them uncomfortable during strenuous exercise or in warm weather environments.
Travel Experience and Noise Isolation Capabilities
For commuters and frequent flyers, the Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 SE functions as a solid travel companion. The adjustable ANC system works alongside the passive seal of the over-ear cups to reduce ambient noise in the mid-range and treble spectrums. Sounds such as car horns, background conversations, and flight cabin announcements are attenuated effectively. However, the active cancellation is less aggressive in the lower bass range, meaning low-frequency rumbles from bus engines remain noticeable. On the positive side, the comfortable fit facilitates long listening sessions, and the inclusion of USB-C and analog cables allows easy connection to seatback entertainment systems during flights.
Office Usability and Built-in Microphone Performance
In an office environment, the Cambridge Audio P100 SE provides good overall utility, fitting smaller to average-sized heads most comfortably. The ANC setup reliably dampens ambient conversations and water cooler chatter. However, because low-frequency sounds cut through the passive and active barriers, heavy machinery or mechanical printer hums can still be heard. The integrated microphone reproduces speech clearly for calls, though it lacks some low-end body and exhibits slight sibilance in higher registers. In moderately noisy environments, minor background static can be introduced into the call audio, and sudden loud noises like a passing train can temporarily overpower the microphone while gain adjustments take place.
Audio Quality, App Customization, and Sound Consistency
The Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 SE delivers respectable sound accuracy centered around a warm audio profile. Treble response exhibits minor fluctuations, which can cause percussion elements like cymbals to sound bright or muted depending on their exact pitch. Left and right drivers display strong matching in amplitude and phase, preserving a balanced stereo image. The companion smartphone app includes a 7-band graphic EQ for manual adjustments, alongside a toggleable DynamEQ feature that applies an equal loudness contour based on overall volume levels. Audio leakage is minimal, allowing users to play music at moderate volumes without disturbing surrounding people.
Wear Consistency and Gaming Performance
A notable weakness of the Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 SE is its frequency response consistency across different wears. The acoustic seal can easily be broken by long hair or the arms of eyeglasses, causing substantial drops and shifts in bass delivery. Users must manually adjust the headband and earcups each time they put them on to ensure proper sound reproduction. Regarding gaming, wireless mode introduces too much latency for fast-paced competitive games, even when using aptX Adaptive Low Latency mode. However, wired gaming via USB-C or 3.5 mm analog delivers full audio and microphone compatibility for PC and PlayStation systems, with Xbox supported for audio playback via analog connection.
