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Clearly, Cambridge Audio aren’t messing about: solely a 12 months after the discharge of their a lot anticipated P100 wi-fi over-ear headphones, the corporate have unveiled a flowery new particular version, boasting a extra snug headband, new DynamEQ tech and a brand new blue colourway choice if the traditional black and white variations are a bit too predictable for you.
Whereas I did not get the possibility to stay my ears within the authentic P100s, it’d take so much to prise me away from my beloved Sennheiser Momentums, so I believed I would take a look at the P100 SEs out and see what they had been all about.
Melomania P100 SE evaluate: design
The primary and most hanging impression for me was on the spot: these are massive headphones. The carry case they arrive in is chunky as hell and positively takes up more room than some other headphone case I’ve had.
And that is earlier than you get to the headphones themselves. Whether or not the sheer dimension of them bothers you’ll rely on two issues a) how shortly you will get used to the texture of them and b) if greater headphones are one thing you’d really feel self-conscious about carrying out and about.
Personally, the dimensions did not hassle me and I would truly argue it makes them seem like an much more spectacular, correct piece of audio equipment. They’re heavy, too – noticeably so than my Sennheisers once I put on them – however it took all of 10 minutes for me to get used to them and after a few weeks of utilization I do not even give it some thought now.
The headscarf has been upgraded from the unique Melomania P100’s for further consolation, and I would undoubtedly agree that regardless of nonetheless weighing a good bit, they’re effectively cushioned and really feel snug in opposition to the top and ears.
Melomania P100 SE evaluate: Options
The Melomania P100 SE’s boast what Cambridge Audio name their “DynamEQ expertise”, promising to robotically regulate bass and treble to take care of nice sound, even at low volumes. There are additionally numerous preset equalisers, in addition to the flexibility customise and save your personal preset for the true audiophiles.
I had a mess around with just a few of the presets and whereas I would not say they drastically improved my listening expertise, I may undoubtedly inform the distinction between a few of the choices. I additionally discovered the Melomania app required to fiddle with all of this straightforward to make use of with a pleasant, clear, simple interface.
I examined the superb new Deftones album Non-public Music beneath the ‘Rock’ preset and it undoubtedly helped to make Steph Carpenter’s riffs just a bit weightier, whereas a blast of latest Barry Cannot Swim album Loner beneath the ‘Digital’ preset made his propulsive edm bangers that bit crisper.
As for that all-important ANC? I discovered it to be of wonderful high quality: I first examined it whereas in a busy fitness center with some chart-bothering pop music blaring out of the PA, after which subsequent on my morning commute on an overground practice and on the London tube.
In each instances, many of the background noise was drastically thinned out, which is a should for any pair of high-end headphones I need to begin utilizing usually.
Oh, and I’ve to acknowledge that outstanding battery life: 100 hours on full cost, or 60 should you’re utilizing the ANC, places these headphones leagues forward of all opponents on that entrance. It is the one function with which the Melomania P100 SE’s comfortably go away every part else within the mud.
Melomania P100 SE evaluate: Sound
Total, I discovered the sound high quality of the Melomania P100 SE’s to be actually fairly good. Whereas not any sort of spectacular improve on its rivals, I would say these headphones greater than maintain their very own in opposition to most in the identical value bracket, even when I am unsure they fairly match as much as the best-in-class choices from the likes of Sony and Sennheiser.
That stated, be it whereas listening to particular genres utilizing these presets or simply hammering by a combined playlist on its default setting, I discovered every part I listened to to be of top of the range – together with voice notes from associates, which sounded crystal clear with the ANC on whereas I used to be strolling round a busy Paddington road earlier this 12 months.
The options
Sennheiser Momentum 4
For across the similar cash, you will get your arms on the Sennheiser Momentum 4 – a wonderful set of over-ear headphones that boats 60 hours of battery, glorious Adaptive Noise Cancellation and crystal clear audio. App integration additionally lets you tweak the settings to provide the greatest audio supply.
Sony WH-1000XM4
Whereas Sony’s XM4 have been outmoded by the Sony WH-1000XM5 and Sony WH-1000XM6, don’t dismiss the 2021 mannequin. For a begin, a pair of those over-ears will prevent tons of of {dollars}/kilos over the newer headphones – they usually nonetheless sound superb with very good noise cancelling. Thirty hours of battery life isn’t to be sniffed at – they usually fold down for journey functions.
Learn our full Sony WH-1000XM4 evaluate
