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The Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 SE is a true wireless earbud model, not an amplifier. TechRadar’s October 2026 review praises its spacious, detailed sound and feature set, while noting that its rhythmic delivery can feel less fluent and its touch controls can be inconsistent. The SE update adds Dolby Audio processing and a redesigned grille to the earlier Melomania A100.
What is the Melomania A100 SE?
The full name is Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 SE. Cambridge Audio describes it as an updated version of the Melomania A100, with a refined design that includes a blue finish, a redesigned honeycomb grille intended to produce a more natural treble response, and Dolby Audio processing. Those are the manufacturer’s stated differences; the available information does not establish a broader redesign of the underlying platform. Cambridge Audio’s FAQ explains that Dolby processing runs inside the earbuds and works with any paired device.
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How does it sound?
TechRadar characterizes the presentation as spacious and organized, with detail, control, and good dynamic variation. The review’s main sonic reservation is that rhythmic expression is not always as fluent as it could be. These are the reviewer’s listening judgments, not independently reproduced measurements.
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#1 Best Overall
- 10mm deep bass drivers
- aptX Lossless
- Up to 39 hours battery
- Adaptive Active Noise Cancelling
- Wireless Charging
What does the SE update add?
Dolby Audio
The notable functional addition is Dolby Audio processing. Cambridge Audio says it happens in the earbuds rather than on the phone, so it is not limited to a particular handset or operating system. The Melomania Connect app can toggle Dolby Audio, according to TechRadar’s review; the app is a way to control the feature, not a requirement for a specific phone to process it.
Design and grille
The manufacturer identifies a refined design, including a blue finish, and a redesigned honeycomb grille intended to give treble a more natural response. The company presents these as changes from the original A100 rather than as a separate model category.
Rank #2
- 10mm deep bass drivers
- aptX Lossless
- Up to 39 hours battery
- Adaptive Active Noise Cancelling
- Wireless Charging
What features and specifications are reported?
TechRadar’s October 2026 review reports the following specifications. These are review-listed claims; check the product listing for your region for current availability and final local specifications.
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| Item | Reported detail |
|---|---|
| Driver | 10 mm dynamic drivers |
| Noise control | Adaptive hybrid active noise cancellation |
| Wireless | Bluetooth 5.4 |
| Codecs | LDAC and aptX Lossless compatibility |
| Water resistance | IPX5 |
| Battery | Up to 39 hours combined, a maximum specification rather than an independently measured endurance result here |
| Weight | 4.7 g per earbud; 38 g for the charging case |
| Frequency response | Not stated by TechRadar |
TechRadar also reports that the earbuds come with three sizes of silicone ear tips. The available information does not establish replacement-tip compatibility or availability.
Rank #3
- User-Replaceable Battery & Earcups
- 100-Hour Battery Life
- DynamEQ - Dynamic Adaptive Equalisation
- aptX Lossless
- Adaptive Active Noise Cancelling
Are the controls and app good?
TechRadar found the touch controls hit-and-miss. It describes the Melomania Connect app as a more reliable route for managing settings. The review says the app can remap touch controls, adjust a seven-band EQ, toggle Dolby Audio, and handle other settings. That gives listeners some control over the setup, but it does not erase the reviewer’s concern about the touch interface itself.
What are the main trade-offs?
- Sound: The review praises spaciousness, organization, detail, and dynamic variation, but finds the rhythmic presentation less fluent.
- Controls: Touch operation can be inconsistent; the app offers a more dependable way to change settings.
- Features: The reported specification set includes ANC, Bluetooth 5.4, LDAC and aptX Lossless compatibility, Dolby Audio, and IPX5 water resistance.
- Battery claim: The stated maximum is up to 39 hours combined; it is not an independently verified runtime result in the cited review material.
TechRadar gives the A100 SE 5/5 for features, 4.5/5 for sound quality, 4/5 for design, and 4.5/5 for value. These are that publication’s category scores, not a universal or composite ranking.
Rank #4
- User-Replaceable Battery & Earcups
- 100-Hour Battery Life
- DynamEQ - Dynamic Adaptive Equalisation
- aptX Lossless
- Adaptive Active Noise Cancelling
How does it compare with the JBL Live Beam 4?
TechRadar names the JBL Live Beam 4 as a similarly priced alternative and says it offers greater battery life and more natural rhythmic expression. The review frames the difference as a matter of preference rather than a decisive overall win. The sources do not establish a comprehensive comparative ranking, so the practical distinction is whether the A100 SE’s spacious, detailed presentation and feature mix matter more to you than the JBL model’s cited strengths.
What did it cost at launch?
TechRadar reported launch prices of $149 in the US, £129 in the UK, and AU$249 in Australia in its October 2026 review. Those are regional launch-era figures, not a guarantee of today’s price, stock, or availability.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- User-Replaceable Battery & Earcups
- 100-Hour Battery Life
- DynamEQ - Dynamic Adaptive Equalisation
- aptX Lossless
- Adaptive Active Noise Cancelling
Sources
- Cambridge Audio: Melomania A100 SE FAQ, published 1 October 2026.
- TechRadar: Melomania A100 SE review, published 1 October 2026.
- What Hi-Fi?: Melomania A100 SE product report, published 1 October 2026.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
