Assessment of Cambridge Audio Melomania A100: Is the cost justified?
Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 Earbuds: A Premium Option for Less
The Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 earbuds have made a splash in the competitive audio market, offering a unique blend of high-quality sound, customization options, and robust features at an accessible price point of around £119/$149.
Key Features
- High-fidelity sound is achieved through custom-tuned 10mm drivers and Class AB amplification, providing warm, clear, and detailed audio without artificial boosts.
- A dual-core 240MHz Qualcomm Kalimba DSP chip ensures efficient and high-quality audio processing, enabling support for advanced codecs such as LDAC, aptX Lossless, and aptX Adaptive.
- DynamEQ technology dynamically adjusts bass and treble in real-time to maintain balanced sound across all volume levels.
- The Melomania Connect app offers a 7-band customizable EQ, six preset sound profiles, and the ability to save personalized settings.
- Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) is powered by hybrid ANC technology and six microphones per earbud, improving both noise cancellation effectiveness and call clarity.
- With a battery life of approximately 11 hours on a single charge (6.5 hours with ANC turned on), the earbuds can be extended to about 28-39 hours total with the charging case.
- Touch controls are customizable through the app, allowing users to tailor playback, ANC modes, and call handling to their preferences.
Performance Compared to Other Earbuds in the Same Price Range
- Sound Quality: The Melomania A100 offers a spacious soundstage, good transient response, and dynamic range, often providing a more open and detailed listening experience than many rivals that tend to boost bass or treble artificially.
- Audio Processing: The inclusion of Class AB amplification plus Qualcomm DSP and advanced codecs beats many earbuds below or near the £120 price point that commonly use simpler DSPs and basic SBC or AAC Bluetooth codecs, thereby offering a closer experience to audiophile-grade wireless listening.
- Customization and App Control: Most competitors offer limited or no app support; the Melomania A100’s extensive EQ customization and DynamEQ feature allow for superior user personalization.
- ANC and Microphones: While ANC is present in some similarly priced earbuds, the effectiveness combined with six microphones for calls and noise control places these ahead of many budget offerings.
- Battery Life: The earbuds provide solid battery performance that is competitive, though some models might offer similar or slightly better total playback time. The balance between battery life, ANC, and sound quality is well-executed.
Summary Table
| Feature | Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 | Typical Competitors in ~£100-£130 Range | |-------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------| | Driver & Amplification | Custom 10mm drivers + Class AB amplification | Generally small drivers, Class D amplification or similar | | Bluetooth Codecs | LDAC, aptX Lossless, aptX Adaptive | Mostly SBC, AAC, sometimes aptX | | Sound Customization | 7-band EQ + DynamEQ + user presets + app control | Limited or no EQ, fewer presets, no dynamic EQ | | Active Noise Cancellation| Hybrid ANC with 6 mics per earbud | Basic ANC with fewer mics | | Battery Life | 11 hrs (buds), 28-39 hrs total with case | Varies, often 8-12 hrs buds, 20-30 hrs total | | App Features | Fully customizable controls + EQ presets | Limited control |
In summary, the Melomania A100 earbuds offer a rare blend of true high-fidelity wireless sound, user personalization, solid ANC, and robust battery life in a price segment where these features are uncommon, making them a compelling choice for audiophiles and casual listeners wanting premium sound without premium prices.
The Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 earbuds, with their premium features, demonstrate that high-quality technology and gadgets can be accessible to a wider audience, breaking the assumption that premium sound requires a steep price. The earbuds' custom-tuned drivers, advanced technology such as the Qualcomm DSP, and personalization options set them apart from other gadgets in the £100-£130 range.
