Cambridge Audio, renowned for its hi-fi heritage, has launched the Melomania P100 SE, a special edition of its acclaimed over-ear wireless headphones. Building on the success of the original Melomania P100, the SE model introduces refined audio tuning, enhanced comfort, and a striking new blue colorway alongside the classic black and white finishes. Priced at £249 / $299 / €279, these headphones aim to deliver audiophile-grade sound and versatility at a competitive price point.
Superior Sound with New DynamEQ Technology
The Melomania P100 SE retains the signature 40mm three-layer composite drivers with neodymium magnets, powered by Class A/B amplification—a technology borrowed from Cambridge Audio’s award-winning CX Series hi-fi amplifiers. This setup ensures rich, detailed audio with deep bass, clear mids, and crisp highs. The introduction of DynamEQ, a proprietary dynamic adaptive equalization, adjusts bass and treble in real-time to maintain musical balance at any volume, making every track sound full and natural, whether at low or high levels.
The headphones support aptX Lossless and aptX Adaptive codecs via Bluetooth 5.3, delivering CD-quality wireless playback (16-bit/44.1kHz) for an uncompromised listening experience. Users can further customize their sound through the revamped Melomania Connect app, which offers six expertly curated EQ presets (Blues, Electronic, Natural, Rock, Voice, and Flat) and a detailed seven-band manual EQ for precise tuning.
Unmatched Battery Life and Sustainability
The Melomania P100 SE boasts an industry-leading battery life of up to 100 hours with ANC disabled and 60 hours with ANC enabled, making it ideal for extended listening sessions or long-haul travel. A quick five-minute charge provides up to four hours of playback (ANC off) or two hours (ANC on). The user-replaceable battery, along with replaceable viscoelastic memory foam ear cushions, enhances longevity, while the use of 50% recycled plastic and 100% recyclable packaging underscores Cambridge Audio’s commitment to sustainability.
Enhanced Comfort and Design
Addressing feedback from the original P100, the SE model features a reengineered headband with softer cushioning and optimized clamping force, ensuring comfort across various head sizes for prolonged use. The headphones, weighing 330g, combine lightweight aluminum details with a soft vegan leather headband for a premium yet practical design. Available in a bold new blue finish, alongside black and white, the P100 SE also sports updated Cambridge Audio branding for a fresh, modern look.
Advanced Features for Modern Lifestyles
The P100 SE is equipped with hybrid Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and Transparency Mode, allowing users to block out ambient noise or stay aware of their surroundings with a single tap. While not class-leading, the ANC effectively softens urban noise, making it suitable for commutes or busy environments. The headphones also feature a low-latency gaming mode (<80ms), ideal for gaming and video streaming, and support seamless multi-device pairing via Bluetooth 5.3.
Six beamforming microphones, paired with Qualcomm’s cVc 8.0 technology, ensure crystal-clear voice calls with echo cancellation and wind noise reduction. Additional features include wear detection, Google Fast Pair, and voice assistant activation, all accessible via the Melomania Connect app. For wired listening, the headphones support USB-C and 3.5mm jack connections, offering flexibility for high-resolution sources.
Critical Acclaim and Competitive Edge
Tom’s Guide has praised the P100 SE as “the best-sounding headphones before you spend over $400,” highlighting improvements in comfort and audio performance over the original P100. While competitors like the Sony WH-1000XM5 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra offer superior ANC, the P100 SE stands out with its exceptional battery life, sustainable design, and hi-fi sound quality at a lower price point (£249 / $299 vs. £399 / $429 for premium rivals).
Availability
The Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 SE is available now in black, white, and blue finishes through cambridgeaudio.com and select retailers. With its blend of refined audio, extended battery life, and thoughtful design, the P100 SE is poised to make a strong impact in the competitive wireless headphone market.
