Did a Revered British Hi-Fi Brand Just Make the Best Affordable ANC Headphones?
Best known for its high-end amplifiers, the British hi-fi manufacturer just launched a pair of sub-$300 wireless headphones.
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Cambridge Audio is a British audio manufacturer that's best known for gorgeous, audiophile-grade amplifiers and music streamers. In recent years, the brand has delved into the consumer audio space, too, releasing various wireless earbuds and headphones.
Last year, Cambridge Audio released its first pair of wireless noise-canceling headphones called the Melomania P100 . And now, roughly 13 months later, it's releasing new-and-improved models.
Meet the Melomania P100 SE .
Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 SE
Cambridge Audio just introduced "Special Edition" versions of its wireless over-ear ANC headphones. - Credit: Cambridge Audio
100-hour battery life
The Melomania P100 SE — which stands for "Special Edition" — share a lot in common with the original Melomania P100. They feature the same 100 hours of battery life (or 60 hours with ANC activated), which is pretty remarkable.
They also feature the same custom 40mm three-layer composite driver with neodymium magnets that, according to the brand, are powered by the same Class AB amplification featured in the CX series of amplifiers.
And when used as wired headphones — they ship with two audio cables, a USB-C to 3.5mm and a USB-C to USB-C cable — they play higher-resolution lossless audio.
The Melomania P100 SE have improved sound and a reengineered headband. - Credit: Cambridge Audio
Hi-Fi upgrades
With the drivers are the same, the sound isn't. Cambridge Audio claims that it has retuned the drivers so that the Melomania P100 SE is able to deliver a more powerful and immersive sound, with improved bass and refined dynamics.
Additionally, the Melomania P100 SE are integrated with Cambridge Audio's newest proprietary tech, called DynamEQ, which monitors the volume of your audio and subtly adjusts bass and treble. According to the brand, this helps keep the "music perfectly balanced, even at lower volumes."
Additionally, the Melomania P100 SE now supports aptX Lossless, a Bluetooth codec that enables the streaming of CD-quality audio up to 16-bit/44.1 kHz. (Of course, you have to have a source device that supports this high-resolution codec, too.)
Unlike the originals, the Melomania P100 SE comes in a third colorway: blue. - Credit: Cambridge Audio
New blue finish
Cambridge Audio also made a few other design tweaks to the Melomania P100 SE. The headband has been reengineered to be more cushioned and comfortable. And its clamping force has been, according to the brand, "carefully calibrated for long-term comfort for the largest variety of head sizes."
That said, the most obvious aesthetic difference is that, in addition to the classic white and black finishes, the Melomania P100 SE now comes in a third finish: blue.
The improvements come at $20 increase in cost. - Credit: Cambridge Audio
Price and availability
The upgrades to the Melomania P100 SE come at a slight extra cost — they are priced at $299, which is a $20 increase from last year's Melomania P100 (although Cambridge Audio has now dropped their $239, in case you're looking to get an even sweeter deal).
You can buy the new headphones from Cambridge Audio's website right now. They come in three finishes: white, black or blue.
Cambridge Audio Melomania P100
About the Author:
Tucker Bowe has been on Gear Patrol's editorial team since 2014. As a Tech Staff Writer, he tracks everything in the consumer tech space, from headphones to smartphones, wearables to home theater systems. If it lights up or makes noise, he probably covers it.
