CAMBRIDGE MELOMANIA P100 vs CAMBRIDGE MELOMANIA M100
Cambridge is known for offering great value for money. Does this apply to the Over-Ear headphones Melomania P100 and the In-Ear M100? PREFER OVER-EAR OR IN-EAR?
Material: Plastic / Synthetic Leather
Battery Life: 100 hours
Charging Time: 2 hours
What we listened to: Silbermond “Sophie”, Nick Cave “Wild God”, Verdi “Nabucco”
Material: Plastic
Battery Life: 15 hours (without ANC, without case)
Charging Time: 2 hours
What we listened to: Silbermond “Sophie”, Nick Cave “Wild God”, Verdi “Nabucco”
Headphones are at the top of the wish list for many music enthusiasts, both young and old. Whether the sound surrounds your ears or enters directly is a matter of personal preference.
Surprisingly elegant design
The first impression of both models is positive – everything feels solid; Cambridge Audio promises that around 50% of the P100 is made from recycled materials, and the feel of the materials can make some expensive models look dull. The In-Ear M100 comes in a small but refined case that also serves as a charging station – a well-made feature.
Accessories for the P100 include a printed English manual, while the app for both headphones can be downloaded via QR code. Both models come with charging cables, and the Over-Ear includes an additional audio cable for traditional wired listening. A three-stage ANC is built in, along with a three-stage transparency mode. An equalizer can be activated for various music or speech programs, and even custom adjustments to the frequency response to suit the user’s taste are possible.
The 40-millimeter membrane is made of a durable sandwich mixture of polyurethane and polyetheretherketone, while the amplifier uses classic AB technology. The Bluetooth chipset is state-of-the-art, featuring aptX Lossless, aptX Adaptive, AAC, and SBC, with latency reduced to under 80 milliseconds in gaming mode for perfect sync between video and audio. The clear left/right labeling, particularly on the P100 with the inner cup markings, is a feature that should be imitated by other brands. Pairing with devices is simple and can be done in seconds, even with multiple devices at once.
Practical details, long battery life
The developers are especially proud of the extremely long battery life of the P100, which can last up to 60 hours with ANC, or 100 hours without. We used the headphones almost non-stop from Friday morning to Monday evening, and the batteries were still not close to empty. Additionally, a quick charge of five minutes can provide two more hours of playback with ANC or four hours without.
The P100 is so lightweight that it’s barely noticeable on the head, though the pressure from the memory foam ear cups wrapped in vegan leather can remind you that you’re wearing headphones. Glasses wearers should try them for at least 30 minutes before buying, as the pressure might be too strong and uncomfortable for longer sessions.
This advice applies to all headphones, but especially to tiny in-ear models like the M100. Its battery life of 16 hours or 10 hours with ANC is also impressive. Given the reduced size of the “earbuds,” it’s amazing how much battery life they offer. For a satisfying sound, the earbuds need to fit snugly in the ear; otherwise, the sound will lack bass and feel thin. This issue is typically resolved by one of the five ear tips included.
App customization is well done
The app is designed to be user-friendly and straightforward – another point in favor of Cambridge. We also appreciate that the ear pads and battery of the P100 are replaceable, as these are the parts most prone to wear over time.
In terms of sound, the P100 in its neutral setting leans slightly warm, without being dominated by heavy bass.
Turning on the effective ANC reduces some of the finer details, and the tonal balance is slightly affected. It’s about finding an acceptable compromise between the best possible sound and undisturbed playback. This is especially true when listening at lower volumes, where noise cancellation isn’t fully compensated by the headphone’s own volume. The sound quality of both headphones is commendable, with the M100’s good fit in various ears delivering a surprisingly fine, natural, and spatial sound. It impressed with genres from pop (Silbermond to Nick Cave) to familiar jazz recordings or classical choirs like Verdi’s “Nabucco.” The M100 almost outshines the P100, which felt more reserved and possibly more comfortable for long-term use but not necessarily better. This shows the careful tuning that went into both models.
CONCLUSION
With the Over-Ear P100 and In-Ear M100, Cambridge has succeeded in creating two differently designed, yet similarly sounding headphones at attractive prices. Long battery life, effective ANC, good build quality, and an easy-to-use app round out a solid package.
