Revised assessment of Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 SE earbuds: more of the same experience?
The Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 SE headphones have recently been unveiled, offering a series of refinements over the popular P100 model. Here's a breakdown of the key differences and what you can expect from these new headphones.
The P100 SE introduces Cambridge Audio's proprietary DynamEQ technology, which dynamically adjusts bass and treble frequencies based on volume and surroundings. This feature is not present in the original P100. The sound signature of the P100 SE has been subtly tweaked with enhanced bass and brighter high frequencies, based on user feedback.
In terms of comfort, the P100 SE boasts a lighter clamping force in the headband, making it slightly more comfortable to wear compared to the standard P100. The ear cushions remain easy to remove for potential repairability.
The Melomania Connect app has been revamped for the P100 SE, offering six genre-specific EQ presets and a detailed seven-band equalizer. This is a significant upgrade from the original P100's more limited customization options.
Despite these refinements, the P100 SE retains the outstanding battery life of its predecessor. It offers up to 100 hours of listening without active noise cancellation (ANC) and up to 60 hours with ANC, matching the battery life of the original P100. The headphones also feature three modes of active noise cancellation, which have proven to be effective in testing.
The P100 SE headphones are priced higher than the older P100 headphones, coming in at £249 / $299 / €279. However, the older P100 headphones, launched at £229 / $279, are still widely available and could be a cannier buy if found for £50/$50 less than the P100 SE or if the price gap is even bigger.
The P100 SE headphones come in a new blue color option, and they feature a robust and well-made hard-shell case that includes a magnetically-closed pocket for cables. The ear cups have on-earcup controls, including a power switch, ANC button, USB-C charging port, volume keys, and play/pause button. The P100 SE headphones also have a slightly changed Cambridge Audio logo on the headband.
In comparison to the Nothing Headphone (1), both headphones are similar in terms of sound quality, with the P100 SE offering better battery life but less comfort. However, the refinements in the P100 SE, particularly the DynamEQ technology and enhanced EQ app features, provide a meaningful upgrade for audiophiles who listen at variable volumes or want more precise control.
In summary, the P100 SE offers thoughtful refinements such as improved EQ control, DynamEQ bass/treble compensation, and increased comfort. However, these changes are relatively subtle and do not constitute a full generational leap. The build quality, battery life, and core features remain largely unchanged. Thus, the price increase is justified primarily if you value the enhanced sound tuning and app improvements, but for those satisfied with the original model's sound and fit, the SE may not be a necessary upgrade.
| Aspect | P100 | P100 SE | |----------------------|------------------------------|--------------------------------| | Sound Technology | Standard tuning | DynamEQ auto bass/treble adjustment + refined sound signature | | Comfort | Tighter clamping force | Lighter clamping force | | App EQ | Basic customization | Six EQ presets + 7-band manual equalizer | | Battery Life | Up to 100h (no ANC), 60h (ANC) | Same | | Noise Cancellation | 3 modes, effective | Same | | Price Difference | Lower | Slightly higher |
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