If you’re looking for a great set of wireless earbuds and are willing to spend under $250, I have a recommendation for you! I recently had the chance to test out Cambridge Audio’s Melomania M100 earbuds, and let’s just say I came away very happy.
The M100s offer great sound, call quality, and solid noise cancellation. Plus, they support a great companion app. Battery life is also very strong here, with Cambridge Audio really failing to deliver when it comes to overall comfort. Yes, these aren’t the most comfortable headphones, unfortunately. However, the sound and other features are so good that I urge you to give the M100s a try. Here’s what I liked, what I didn’t, and where to buy them.
Cambridge Audio Melomania M100
Cambridge Audio’s Melomania M100 earbuds feature top-notch amplification, noise cancellation, and sound reproduction. They’re also not expensive, though we’d spend more if we could get a more comfortable in-ear fit.
- Excellent sound quality
- Great ANC performance
- Clear call quality
- Great companion app.
- Uncomfortable after long periods of time
- Touch controls can be awkward.
- A little expensive
Price and availability
Goldilocks will be happy.
As of the time of this review, the Cambridge Audio Melomania M100 are priced at around $220. Considering the advanced engineering that went into making these little behemoths, I think they’re a good price. They shouldn’t be as expensive as the flagship ANC headphones from Bose or Sony, but it would be a shame if they were under $100.
The M100 are available on Amazon and through Cambridge Audio. We haven’t seen the M100 pop up anywhere else yet, but as soon as they show up in other stores, we’ll be sure to update this review.
What’s special about the Cambridge Audio Melomania M100 headphones?
Amazing sound quality and ANC performance
The Melomania M100 are equipped with many of the standout features you’d find in class-leading wireless earbuds. Designed to handle audio codecs like aptX Lossless, aptX Adaptive, and Bluetooth LE Audio, the Melomania M100 are ready for high-fidelity listening through compatible Android devices. However, as an iPhone-only reviewer, I was impressed with the sound quality.
10mm drivers and Class AB amplifiers combine to deliver the crisp, clear sound one would expect from higher-priced earphones and headphones. Classical music and singer-songwriter material sound great with the M100. Performance by pianist Nikolai Lugansky Bergamasque Suite This was a treat for the ears. I felt the weight and heaviness of the low notes of the piano, but I felt an immediate euphoria as the soloist approached the higher notes.
The M100 made me feel like I was in a concert hall, sitting front and center. This was reflected on tracks like Two Arabsas performed by pianist Fazil Sai. The M100 gave so much articulation to this piece that I could hear Sai’s breathing during some of the lulls on the piano.
I have to mention the amazing effect of the active noise cancellation feature on the earbuds. There are three levels of active noise cancellation to choose from, along with transparency and normal listening modes. I love my active noise cancellation, so I did just that with the M100s. It did a great job of eliminating almost all of the low-frequency noise in my listening environment.
Call quality was also great. Test callers reported that conversation was clear from my end, and I felt the same way from the people I was talking to.
Taking a journey into the world of singer-songwriter Bon Iver,
Wolves (Chapters One and Two)
It looked even more amazing through the M100.
Taking a journey into the world of singer-songwriter Bon Iver, Wolves (Chapters One and Two) The sound sounded even better through the M100. The shimmering guitars and vocal melodies were the standouts. The device did a good job with rock and metal tracks, though I got the best results when switching to the rock preset in the Melomania app.
By the way, I love the app. It’s not a necessary download, but it’s a big part of the M100 listening experience, and it’s completely free. Battery readings for the earbuds and charging case are listed at the top of the home page, with customizations for noise cancellation, touch controls, and equalizer below. There’s even a full user guide included.
I was also a fan of the battery life offered by both the earbuds and the charging case. Cambridge Audio claims you can get up to 10 hours on a full charge (with ANC enabled), plus an additional 23 hours from the charging case. With ANC disabled, you should expect 16 hours on a full charge, with an additional 36 hours from the case. I didn’t need to fully recharge the M100 earbuds during my testing, and even after seven hours of using ANC at high volume, the earbuds still had about 40 percent battery left.
What’s Bad About Cambridge Audio Melomania M100 Headphones
Not ideal for all day wear.
The Melomania M100s come with three sets of silicone ear tips and two sets of memory foam tips. Unfortunately, I found it difficult to wear the M100s for extended periods with any kind of tips attached, which can be a challenge for anyone with small ears. There was something about the way the buds formed a seal in my inner ear that was inevitably uncomfortable and was most noticeable after about 30 minutes of gaming. If you want something a little more comfortable, but at a slightly higher price, the Jabra Elite 10 might be a better option.
Related to
Jabra Elite 10 Earbuds Review: Comfort Is King
These earbuds are great when comfort is a priority.
I also had a hard time getting to grips with the touch controls. The touch points on the back of both drivers were hard to pinpoint, and my fingertips often slipped off the surface. In fact, I had the best control when tapping and long-pressing with my thumb. The volume, phone call, and Assistant commands aren’t tied to any tones, so you’ll have to listen closely to make sure your commands raise and lower the volume appropriately.
The charging case is a bit bulky, too. Not to the point of being unwieldy, but if Cambridge Audio is taking note, I’d suggest removing the raised central bump inside the case. It doesn’t seem to serve any practical purpose, and removing it would allow future versions of the M100 case to be shorter and narrower.
Should you buy them?
Wait for a small discount
The Cambridge Audio Melomania M100 earbuds are an impressive pair of earbuds that even the most frequency-focused audiophile will appreciate. While I don’t think the earbuds are overly expensive, it wouldn’t hurt to wait for a slight discount. I don’t think Cambridge is wrong to price them at $220, but even an extra $20 or $30 off would be enough.
If it weren’t for the long-term discomfort and awkward touch controls, I probably wouldn’t have minded spending so much. more Over $220.
Cambridge Audio Melomania M100
Amazing sound quality and immersive noise cancellation are just two of the many advantages the M100s boast. While the overall fit and touch controls could use some tweaking, these are relatively minor complaints.
Related to
Best Wireless Earbuds of 2024
Your ears deserve the best, so choose the best wireless earbuds.
