Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 SE Review: 100-Hour Battery Beast vs the Original P100

With so many wireless headphones crowding the shelves, standing out has never been more difficult. But Cambridge Audio, the British audio specialist with a strong hi-fi heritage, believes it has the answer. Its newer release, the Melomania P100 SE, may look almost identical to its last Model P100, but it arrives with some refinements, a stunning new blue finish, and a modest price increase.

The question is: do these small changes justify the new “SE” badge and extra cost, or is the older model still the smarter buy? After several weeks of daily testing, here’s my detailed verdict.

Price and Availability

The Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 SE launched in August 2025 with a retail price of $299 / £249. That’s just $20 more than the original P100, which debuted at $279 and can now often be found at discounted prices.

This puts the SE firmly in the mid-range wireless headphone segment, below luxury models like the Sony WH-1000XM6 ($399) and Bowers & Wilkins PX8 ($699), but above budget options from Nothing or Anker.

The real value question is whether the small tweaks are enough to justify choosing the SE over the now cheaper standard P100.

Design and Build

At first glance, it’s nearly impossible to tell the P100 SE apart from its predecessor. The design is minimal, understated, and clean, with Cambridge opting for subtle refinements rather than an overhaul.

• The headband is slightly softer and more cushioned, offering improved comfort for long sessions.
• The Cambridge Audio logo has been subtly updated.
• The most obvious new feature is the fresh blue color option, which joins the existing white and black finishes.

Otherwise, the silhouette remains unchanged. The oval-shaped earcups rotate and flex generously, while a recessed circular design on the outer cups adds a touch of modern style.

The build quality feels solid, with a durable yet lightweight construction. The included hard-shell carrying case adds to their practicality, though the headphones don’t fold flat, so they’re bulkier to travel with compared to rivals like Sony’s XM6 series.

Features and App

The P100 SE packs in plenty of features for the price:

• Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) with three modes: Noise Cancelling, Transparency, and Normal.
• DynamEQ technology: Cambridge’s proprietary system that tweaks bass and treble dynamically depending on volume and listening environment.
• Seven-band custom EQ via the Melomania app, alongside multiple preset profiles.
• Multipoint Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity, making it easy to switch between two devices such as a laptop and smartphone.
• USB-C fast charging, plus a 3.5mm cable for wired listening (a rare inclusion these days).

The updated Melomania app is polished and intuitive, making EQ adjustments, ANC controls, and firmware updates easy to manage.

Comfort and Controls

While the headband cushioning is improved, the fit is still on the tighter side compared to competitors. If you’re used to the feather-light feel of the Sonos Ace or the more ergonomic Sony WH-1000XM6, the P100 SE may feel slightly snug during extended wear.

That said, the ear pads are soft, removable, and easily replaceable—great for long-term durability.

Controls are well laid out:

• Left earcup: power/pairing switch, ANC mode button, USB-C charging port.
• Right earcup: volume rocker, play/pause button.

It’s a tactile, button-first approach rather than touch gestures, which some users will prefer.

Battery Life

This is where the Melomania P100 SE crushes the competition.

• 100 hours of playback with ANC turned off.
• 60 hours with ANC enabled.
• Fast charging: 5 minutes = 2 hours playback.

For context, Sony’s flagship WH-1000XM6 lasts around 40 hours with ANC, meaning the Cambridge offers more than double the endurance. Simply put, these are the best-in-class for battery life, not just in this price bracket, but across the entire wireless headphone market.

Sound Performance

Under the hood, the P100 SE uses 40mm triple-layer composite drivers with neodymium magnets, powered by a Class AB amplifier—the same amp design found in Cambridge’s award-winning CX hi-fi series.

The result? A sound signature that’s rich, detailed, and energetic, with a noticeable emphasis on bass.

• Bass: Punchy and deep, ideal for electronic, hip-hop, and cinematic tracks.
• Mids: Smooth and full-bodied, though not as forward as some audiophile models.
• Highs: Clear but occasionally bright, depending on EQ settings.

The new DynamEQ system adjusts treble and bass dynamically, which some listeners may find engaging, while purists may prefer to disable it and stick with a custom EQ.

Compared to the original P100, the SE offers a slightly livelier presentation with more “drive,” though the differences are subtle.

Comparisons

• Cambridge Audio P100 (Standard) – Nearly identical in design and sound, with only minor improvements in comfort and tuning on the SE. If you find the older model discounted by $50 or more, it’s still an excellent buy.
• Sony WH-1000XM6 – More comfortable and refined ANC performance, but far pricier and with far shorter battery life (40 hours vs 100).
• Nothing Headphone (1) – Flashier design and similar sound, but Cambridge wins on endurance and app features.
• Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S3 – More stylish, with a slightly more open soundstage, but again much more expensive.

Verdict

The Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 SE is a fantastic pair of mid-range wireless headphones. It combines best-in-class battery life, solid ANC, customizable sound, and a refined design at a price that undercuts big-name rivals.

However, the differences from the original P100 are subtle—mostly a new color option, a softer headband, and minor tuning adjustments. That makes the buying decision trickier:

• If you already own the P100, you don’t need to upgrade.
• If you find the P100 discounted, it remains an excellent choice.
• But if you’re buying fresh, the SE is the safer bet for future-proofing and comfort.

Ultimately, the Melomania P100 SE delivers premium features at a fair price, cementing Cambridge Audio’s reputation as a serious player in the headphone market.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Outstanding 100-hour battery life (best in class)
• Solid noise cancellation and transparency mode
• Comfortable fit with improved headband
• Customizable sound via app + DynamEQ
• Multipoint Bluetooth 5.3
• Premium build quality with hard case included

Cons

• Only minor upgrades over the original P100
• Slightly tight fit compared to rivals
• Doesn’t fold flat for compact storage
• Style is understated, not as eye-catching as competitors

Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 SE Specifications

• Drivers: 40mm triple-layer composite with neodymium magnets
• Amplifier: Class AB (based on Cambridge CX series)
• Frequency Response: 20Hz – 20kHz
• ANC Modes: Noise Cancelling / Transparency / Normal
• Battery Life: 100 hours (ANC off), 60 hours (ANC on)
• Fast Charge: 5 mins = 2 hours
• Bluetooth Version: 5.3 with multipoint connectivity
• Codec Support: SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive
• Controls: Physical buttons (volume, play/pause, ANC mode, power/pairing)
• Charging: USB-C
• Wired Option: 3.5mm audio cable included
• Colors: Black, White, Blue
• Accessories: Hard carrying case, 3.5mm cable, USB-C charging cable