Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 SE Over-ear Headphones with ANC

Cambridge Audio Listened to P100 Owners, Then Built the SE

Cambridge Audio has made hi-fi components since 1968, and the Melomania P100 brought that thinking to wireless noise-cancelling headphones. The Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 SE refines it. Owners asked for a more comfortable fit and a fuller sound, so Cambridge reworked the headband with softer materials and retuned the sound.

What made the original popular carries over. Battery life runs up to 100 hours with noise cancelling off, or 60 hours with it on. Both the battery and the earcups are user-replaceable, so these headphones are built to last more than a few years.

aptX Lossless When Your Phone Supports It

Bluetooth 5.3 supports aptX Lossless, aptX Adaptive, AAC, and SBC. Multipoint keeps two devices connected at once, so you can move from laptop to phone without re-pairing. Google Fast Pair speeds setup on Android, and a gaming mode drops latency below 80 ms.

When you want a cable, you have two options. Connect by USB-C or by 3.5mm with the included cables. Cambridge rates wired playback at up to 24-bit/96kHz. Physical buttons handle the controls, and a carry case comes in the box.

Shape the Sound Your Way in the Melomania App

The free Melomania Connect app offers a 7-band EQ, six curated sound profiles, and custom presets. It also handles firmware updates and wear detection, which pauses music when you lift the headphones off. Hybrid noise cancelling offers three strength levels, plus a transparency mode for hearing your surroundings.

Why a Hi-Fi Amplifier Sits Inside These Headphones

Cambridge is best known for hi-fi amplifiers, and it built a Class A/B amplifier stage into the P100 SE rather than relying on a basic headphone driver chip. That stage drives 40mm drivers with a three-layer composite diaphragm. A Qualcomm QCC3084 Bluetooth chip and an Analog Devices ADAU1787 codec for noise cancelling run the show.

The SE adds Cambridge’s DynamEQ. It adjusts bass and treble as volume changes, which Cambridge says keeps music balanced when you listen quietly. Cambridge also raised default loudness by 3 dB. Six microphones handle noise cancelling and calls, with Qualcomm cVc processing and wind noise reduction.

What Reviewers Are Saying

Tammy Rogers of Tom’s Guide (August 1, 2025) gave the P100 SE an Editor’s Choice award. She wrote that "their updated headband makes them far more comfortable" and praised "the epic battery life, great construction, and incredible sound quality."

Kob Monney of Trusted Reviews (December 2, 2025) called them "a solid value proposition with their long battery life, strong wireless performance and tweaked sound." He added that "The Bluetooth performance has been resolutely solid" during weeks of testing.

Both reviewers noted practical limits. Tom’s Guide found that the 3.5mm wired mode needs power: "No passive mode for when the battery runs out, sadly." It also noted "the case is very large." Trusted Reviews pointed out that "These headphones aren’t designed to be folded and collapsed" and that "there’s no support for Sony’s LDAC."

Who Are These Wireless Headphones Best For?

• Long-haul travelers and commuters — Up to 60 hours with noise cancelling on means charging rarely comes up.
• Android listeners with aptX Lossless phones — You get the highest-quality Bluetooth link the P100 SE supports.
• Anyone who keeps gear for years — Replaceable batteries and earcups extend their life well past the first battery.
• Remote workers — Multipoint, six microphones, and wind noise reduction make calls and device switching easy.
• Not ideal if you want headphones that work without a battery — Wired mode still needs charge. For home listening with no battery at all, consider the wired Sennheiser HD 600.

How Does It Connect to Your System?

Install Melomania Connect, then pair over Bluetooth. Android phones with Google Fast Pair will offer to connect as soon as you power on. Add a second device for multipoint, and choose your EQ and noise-cancelling level in the app.

For wired listening, plug the USB-C cable into your phone or computer, or use the USB-C to 3.5mm cable with a headphone jack. Keep the headphones charged, since wired mode draws power too. Charge fully in under 160 minutes, or get four hours from a five-minute top-up. Pair once, listen for days.

Pairs Well With

Round out your listening with these companions:

• Wired headphones — Add an open-back pair for quiet listening at home.
• DACs — Feed the 3.5mm input from a desktop DAC.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between the Melomania P100 and P100 SE?

The SE adds a re-engineered, softer headband, retuned sound with DynamEQ, a 3 dB increase in default loudness, and a new blue color option. Battery life, drivers, and the Class A/B amplifier carry over.

What comes in the box?

You get the headphones, a carry case, a USB-C to USB-C cable, a USB-C to 3.5mm cable, and a quick start guide.

Does the P100 SE support LDAC or aptX Lossless?

It supports aptX Lossless, aptX Adaptive, AAC, and SBC. LDAC is not supported. iPhones connect over AAC.

Can I use the P100 SE wired when the battery is dead?

No. Both USB-C and 3.5mm wired modes need battery power. A five-minute charge gives about four hours of playback with noise cancelling off.

Can I replace the battery and ear pads myself?

Yes. Cambridge sells a user-replaceable battery kit and memory foam earcups, with step-by-step guides on its support site.

What warranty comes with the P100 SE?

Cambridge Audio covers the P100 SE with a two-year warranty, with proof of purchase required.

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