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The Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 SE makes a strong case as a feature-rich, comparatively affordable pair of wireless earbuds if you value an open, detailed presentation. The reservation is rhythm: TechRadar’s reviewer found its delivery a little stiff and “lumpy,” and reported that the touch controls could be hit-and-miss. Those are the reviewer’s impressions, not results from our own listening tests.
How does the Cambridge A100 SE sound?
TechRadar’s Simon Lucas describes the A100 SE as open and airy, with a wide soundstage, even-handed tonality, good detail retrieval, and controlled dynamics. That combination should appeal if you want music to feel spacious rather than crowded, and if you value a revealing presentation for longer listening sessions.
The trade-off is rhythmic expression. TechRadar found the earbuds less natural with rhythm-focused material, describing the delivery as slightly “lumpy.” If timing, pace, and punch are central to what you enjoy, that reservation may matter more than the soundstage or detail advantages. TechRadar says its review followed two weeks of use with a MacBook Pro, iPhone 15 Pro, and FiiO M15S, indoors, outdoors, and on public transport, with music and spoken-word content: TechRadar’s Cambridge A100 SE review.
What features and connectivity do you get?
The A100 SE supports Bluetooth 5.4, adaptive active noise cancellation (ANC), transparency mode, multipoint connections, and Dolby Audio. Cambridge also lists compatibility with aptX Lossless and LDAC codecs. Codec support alone does not guarantee lossless or high-resolution playback: the source device, operating system, streaming service, settings, and Bluetooth connection must also support the relevant codec and format. The earbuds have six microphones, an IPX5 water-resistance rating, and app-based equalizer and control customization. Charging is available through USB-C or a wireless charging case. Specifications and feature availability can vary by device and software; see Cambridge Audio’s product page.
#1 Best Overall
- EXPERIENCE AMAZING HOME THEATER SOUND WITH RICH, IMMERSIVE AUDIO – Featuring a 0.75" tweeter and a 5.25" Dynamic Balance driver, these passive bookshelf speakers deliver clear, balanced sound with deep bass, even at low volumes
- Use these wall-mountable bookshelf speakers as front, left-right, or rear for a surround sound system in your home theater setup and enjoy clear vocals and immersive sound—perfect for anyone starting their home audio journey
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- Over the past 50 years Polk has become one of the most trusted names in home audio speakers and entertainment. Our unwavering commitment to innovation allows you to sit back, relax, and enjoy music
How long does the battery last?
Cambridge Audio states up to 39 hours of total listening time with ANC off and up to 21 hours with ANC on. What Hi-Fi reports up to 39 hours with ANC off and 6.5 hours from the earbuds themselves. These are published figures, not independently verified endurance results in the available evidence; actual runtime depends on usage and settings. The ANC condition is important when comparing the headline total to your expected use.
How much does the A100 SE cost, and what is different about the SE?
Cambridge’s UK product page lists the A100 SE at £129. Its October 2026 launch announcement gives launch pricing of £129 in the UK, €149 in Europe, $149 in the US, and HK$1280 in Hong Kong, with availability beginning in October 2026. What Hi-Fi also reported £129 / €149 / $149 on 1 October 2026. Prices and availability vary by region and can change.
Rank #2
- RECEIVER OR AMPLIFIER REQUIRED – Connect an amplifier or receiver to power these speakers to your taste. Speaker wires included. Receive and Amplifier sold separately
- SILK DOME TWEETERS – High quality 19mm (3/4 inch) tweeters reproduces treble in every detail
- 4-INCH BASS DRIVERS – Balanced natural sound with the 4-inch driver and a bass reflex port to enhance bass. 6 ohm impedance
- WALL-MOUNT BRACKET BUILT-IN – Hang these speakers on the wall as rear surround speakers for your home theater
- IMMERSIVE SOUND - Fill your space with rich, immersive audio, creating a captivating listening environment for music, movies, and more.
The SE is presented as a special-edition take on the standard A100. Cambridge’s launch announcement highlights Dolby Audio, while What Hi-Fi also notes a new blue color. For context, What Hi-Fi reported launch prices of £119 / €139 for the standard A100; those are launch figures, not a statement of current pricing.
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TechRadar identifies the JBL Live Beam 4 as a close price-comparable alternative, but its comparison reflects that reviewer’s judgment rather than an independently established ranking. TechRadar considers the Cambridge stronger for noise cancellation and spatial presentation, while finding the JBL more convincing rhythmically. The same review reports up to 48 hours between charges for the JBL, a figure that should not be treated as directly equivalent to Cambridge’s different ANC-qualified battery claims.
Rank #3
- POWERFUL AUDIO PERFORMANCE - Each speaker offers 50W RMS (100W per pair) and up to 200W peak power. The 12dB crossover and 65Hz–20kHz frequency range ensure clean, full-range output for movies, music, and more
- PREMIUM WIRED BOOKSHELF SPEAKERS - These 2-way bookshelf speakers deliver crisp highs & rich lows with a 0.75" silk dome tweeter and 5.25'' woven glass fiber woofer. Perfect speakers for bookshelf setups, offering room-filling audio in a compact design
- STYLISH AND COMPACT DESIGN - Made from 12mm MDF with a cherry wood grain finish, these bookshelf speakers wired bring elegance and performance. A sleek option for desktops, media centers, and wall mount use
- FLEXIBLE CONNECTION OPTIONS - Gold-plated 5-way binding posts support banana plugs, spade terminals, and bare wire. Easy integration with amplifiers and receivers makes them reliable wired bookshelf speakers for any audio setup
- READY TO MOUNT & ENJOY - Includes built-in wall mount brackets and detachable magnetic grills for a clean setup. Speaker wire included. Each unit measures 11.75" x 7" x 6.5", ideal for home theater or stereo systems
| Consideration | Cambridge A100 SE | JBL Live Beam 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Spatial presentation | TechRadar favors its open, spacious presentation. | TechRadar ranks it behind the Cambridge on spatial presentation. |
| Rhythm and timing | TechRadar finds its rhythmic delivery comparatively stiff. | TechRadar finds it more convincing rhythmically. |
| Noise cancellation | TechRadar judges it stronger. | TechRadar judges it weaker than the Cambridge. |
| Battery claim | Cambridge states up to 39 hours total with ANC off and up to 21 hours with ANC on. | TechRadar reports up to 48 hours between charges. |
Who should buy the Cambridge A100 SE?
The A100 SE is a sensible shortlist choice if your priorities are a spacious, detailed sound, a broad feature set, and the option of wireless charging. Its codec support is most useful when your playback chain supports the codecs you intend to use. Consider another pair if natural rhythmic drive is your first priority, or if inconsistent touch-control responses would frustrate you: TechRadar specifically flags the controls as hit-and-miss.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Bookshelf speakers (pair), compact bookshelf design for small spaces
- 3-way, 3 driver bookshelf speaker system
- 5.12 in. woofer boosts low-end frequencies
- High precision tweeter for faithful sound
- Wide dispersion super tweeter create an expansive sound stage
Rank #4
- 2 x AUX INPUT - Convenient connection to any device that has a 3.5mm headphone output or dual RCA output. Connect to two devices via AUX at the same time, no plugging and switching needed.
- STUDIO SOUND QUALITY - Natural sound reproduction from 13mm silk dome tweeter and 4 inch full range unit
- REMOTE CONTROL - Adjust volume at your figure tips. Bass and treble control located on the side of main speaker.
- CLASSIC WOOD FINISH - High quality MDF wood build finished with wood effect vinyl serves as a great compliment to any home decor.
- SIDE PANEL CONTROLS - Use the side panel knobs to adjust the EQ to your liking. The controls are located on the active/powered speaker.
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.
