Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 SE Review — Stylish Over-Ear Headphones with Impressive Features

Experience the sleek design and remarkable battery life of Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 SE over-ear headphones in this detailed review.

Spot the Differences: P100 SE vs. Original P100

It’s game time—try lining up the Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 SE headphones side-by-side with last year’s standard P100 headphones and see if you can spot the differences. Bonus points if you don’t just go for the eye-catching new blue color I got to test—because that’s really one of the few obvious changes.

The tweaks aren’t enough to call this a brand-new model, hence the “SE” suffix. But does that justify the slight price bump? The original P100 already delivered excellent value for money, balancing quality and some compromises. After spending a couple of weeks with the updated SE version, here’s what I think.

Price and Availability

The Melomania P100 SE debuted in early August, retailing at $299. That’s a bit pricier than the original P100, which launched at $279 and can now be found even cheaper.

This price shift doesn’t push the P100 SE into premium headphone territory—they still sit firmly in the mid-range category. It’s worth keeping this in mind when weighing their performance. After all, with the original P100 still floating around at a lower price, it remains a tempting alternative.

Design and Features: A Familiar Look with Subtle Enhancements

If you pick a P100 in one of the older colors and the P100 SE in the same shade, telling them apart without wearing them is a real challenge. But some subtle differences do exist.

For one, the Cambridge Audio logo on the headband has been tweaked slightly, and the headband padding feels a bit softer—a touch you can notice even before putting them on. Still, the standout difference remains that gorgeous new blue color, as the overall headphone silhouette hasn’t changed.

And honestly, that’s a good thing. Cambridge Audio had already nailed a clean, attractive design with simple, elegant lines. Each ear cup features a recessed circle on the outside, which not only looks great but allows for decent flexibility and rotation.

The controls on the ear cups are also well thought out. On the left side, you’ll find the power switch that doubles as a pairing button. There’s an ANC button to toggle between noise cancellation, transparency mode, and regular sound, plus a USB-C charging port.

On the other side, you get volume controls and a play/pause button—as expected. The ear cushions are easily removable, which hints at good repairability since those pads tend to wear out with heavy use.

Despite the softer feel and improved headband, I still find the P100 SE a bit snug and constraining compared to other recent contenders like the Nothing Headphone (1) or Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones.

But here’s the kicker: battery life remains a standout feature. You get an astonishing 60 hours of playback with ANC on, stretching up to 100 hours without it. That’s best-in-class territory, and it’s the kind of stamina you’d hope to see in pricier headphones.

Cambridge Audio also introduced their proprietary DynamEQ technology here—a clever tweak that dynamically adjusts bass and treble based on volume and environment. Plus, they’ve added more EQ presets to the app, giving users some sonic flexibility.

Physically, the P100 SE comes with a sturdy, well-built hard case, just like the P100. It’s not the most compact since the headphones don’t fold nearly as much as others, but it’s a welcome accessory in this price bracket, complete with a magnetic cable pocket.

Performance and Sound: Familiar Yet Refined

Before diving into sound, I have to highlight that the Melomania P100 SE absolutely delivered on battery life claims in my tests—60 hours with ANC enabled is nothing short of incredible. I was impressed last year, and I’m impressed again.

The updated Melomania app is also smooth and user-friendly. Firmware updates took mere minutes, and toggling settings or dialing in EQ was straightforward and intuitive.

Now, the moment we’ve all been waiting for: sound quality. The P100 SE performs pretty much as expected, showing slight improvements and some subtle drawbacks. The original P100 was already impressive for its price, though it lagged behind pricier rivals in expressiveness and detail.

To be honest, the story hasn’t changed much with the SE—though the gap to higher-end headphones has narrowed a bit. That said, the price hike does raise an eyebrow. The 40mm drivers pack a punch, and the new DynamEQ system comes down to personal taste.

If you play around with it and enjoy boosted highs and bass, you’re in luck. If not, you can simply ignore it. Aside from that, I struggled to hear a meaningful difference between the two models, except maybe a touch more “drive” in the new version (which might be placebo).

So, while the P100 SE might be a minor step up from the original, the two are very close in sound—which sums up my overall take on these headphones.

Verdict: Stylish, Solid, but Slightly Polarizing Upgrade

The Melomania P100 SE stands on its own as an impressive pair of headphones—Cambridge Audio once again edge out respected competitors by offering a product that feels pricier than it is. Yet, when you peer under the hood, the upgrade feels somewhat ambiguous.

The new blue color is undeniably stunning, but aside from that, the P100 SE’s advantages over the P100 are subtle. The older model uses the same drivers and internals, and while the SE is a bit comfier, the difference is minimal.

Sound-wise, differences are so slight that the modest price increase makes you wonder if hunting down a discounted original P100 might be the smarter move.

What Else to Consider?

I’m not pitting the Melomania P100 SE against the absolute best headphones out there—they tend to cost at least $100 more. But a worthy comparison is the Nothing Headphone (1). Those look flashier and sound similarly good, but Cambridge Audio wins on battery life, trading off some comfort.

If you’re intrigued by the P100 SE, it’s worth checking out the original P100 as well. If you find the older model for about $50 less or more, that’s likely the more sensible pick.

"If you play around with it and enjoy boosted highs and bass, you’re in luck. If not, you can simply ignore it."

FAQ

• How long does the battery last on Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 SE?
  The headphones offer up to 60 hours with active noise cancellation on, and an extraordinary 100 hours when ANC is off.
• What’s the main visual difference between P100 and P100 SE?
  The P100 SE features a striking new blue color and slightly softer headband padding, while the overall design remains similar.
• Does the P100 SE have active noise cancellation?
  Yes, it includes ANC with modes to switch between noise cancellation, transparency, and regular sound.
• Is the sound quality significantly improved in the P100 SE compared to the original?
  Improvements are subtle, with dynamic EQ technology adding some tonal adjustments depending on preference.
• Are these headphones comfortable for long listening sessions?
  They are comfortable but a bit snug compared to some competitors, such as Nothing Headphone (1) or Sony WH-1000XM6.

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