Apple AirPods (2nd generation) vs Cambridge Audio Melomania A100: which should you buy?

Specs, scores and condensed review verdicts for the Apple AirPods (2nd generation) vs Cambridge Audio Melomania A100, side by side. Where a product has no HearWiki score yet, not enough reviews have been aggregated to rate it.

True Wireless

Apple AirPods (2nd generation)

Not yet scored

$160

Full review data

True Wireless

Cambridge Audio Melomania A100

86Outstanding

$99

Full review data

Score breakdown

Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.

Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 leads on 7 of 7 measures.

Apple AirPods (2nd generation)
Cambridge Audio Melomania A100

HearWiki score

Sound

9.0

Noise cancelling

7.8

Battery

8.5

Calls

8.0

Value

9.6

Price (USD)

$160

$99

Generation & platform

The scores rank quality. This is the other question: is the newer one actually newer technology, or the same platform in a new shell?

New platform

Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 (2025) against Apple AirPods (2nd generation) (2019). The Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 is the newer platform here: Bluetooth 5.4 against 5.0, Top codec aptX Lossless against AAC and ANC type Adaptive against None. It also adds Multipoint pairing, USB-C, Transparency mode and Custom EQ.

AirPods (2nd generation)2019
Melomania A10020256 yr newer

What differsAirPods (2nd generation)Melomania A100

Bluetooth: 5.0; 5.4
Top codec: AAC; aptX Lossless
ANC type: None; Adaptive
Multipoint pairing: No; Yes
USB-C: No; Yes
Transparency mode: No; Yes
Custom EQ: No; Yes
Companion app: No; Yes
Water resistance: Not rated; IPX5

Level on: Wireless charging.

Specifications

AirPods (2nd generation)Melomania A100

Type: True Wireless; True Wireless
Price (USD): $160; $99
HearWiki score: Not scored; 86
Released: 2019; 2025
Availability: Discontinued; Sold new
Driver: dynamic; 10 mm dynamic
Driver type: dynamic; dynamic
Driver size: -; 10 mm
Drivers per side: 1; 1
Frequency response: -; 20 Hz - 20 kHz
Impedance: -; 25 Ω
Bluetooth: 5.0; 5.4
Codecs: SBC, AAC; SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless, LDAC
Multipoint pairing: No; Yes
Battery life: 5 h; 11 h
Battery life (ANC on): -; 6.5 h
Battery incl. case: 24 h; 39 h
Full charge time: -; 66 min
Quick charge: -; 10 min → 3.2 h
Wireless charging: Yes; Yes
Active noise cancelling: No; Yes
ANC type: none; adaptive
Transparency mode: No; Yes
Companion app: No; Yes
Custom EQ: No; Yes
Wear detection: No; No
Controls: touch; touch
Voice assistant: Siri; Google Assistant, Siri
Weight: 4 g; 9.4 g
Case weight: 38.2 g; 38.7 g
Water resistance: none; IPX5
USB-C: No; Yes
Pad material: -; silicone
Microphones: 2; 6
Microphone type: beamforming; -
Call noise reduction: -; Yes

Specification comparison of Apple AirPods (2nd generation) vs Cambridge Audio Melomania A100
Spec	Apple AirPods (2nd generation)	Cambridge Audio Melomania A100
Type	True Wireless	True Wireless
Price (USD)	$160	$99
HearWiki score	Not scored	86 / 100 Outstanding
Released	2019	2025
Audio
Driver	dynamic	10 mm dynamic
Driver type	dynamic	dynamic
Driver size	-	10 mm
Drivers per side	1	1
Frequency response	-	20 Hz - 20 kHz
Impedance	-	25 Ω
Wireless
Bluetooth	5.0	5.4
Codecs	SBC, AAC	SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless, LDAC
Multipoint pairing	No	Yes
Battery
Battery life	5 h	11 h
Battery life (ANC on)	-	6.5 h
Battery incl. case	24 h	39 h
Full charge time	-	66 min
Quick charge	-	10 min → 3.2 h
Wireless charging	Yes	Yes
Features
Active noise cancelling	No	Yes
ANC type	none	adaptive
Transparency mode	No	Yes
Companion app	No	Yes
Custom EQ	No	Yes
Wear detection	No	No
Controls	touch	touch
Voice assistant	Siri	Google Assistant, Siri
Design
Weight	4 g	9.4 g
Case weight	38.2 g	38.7 g
Water resistance	none	IPX5
USB-C	No	Yes
Pad material	-	silicone
Calls
Microphones	2	6
Microphone type	beamforming	-
Call noise reduction	-	Yes

What reviewers said

Apple AirPods (2nd generation)

Apple's second-generation AirPods are true wireless earbuds from 2019, offering a secure fit and seamless Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity. They deliver up to 5 hours of playback per charge, with 24 hours total via the included wireless charging case, and rely on dual beamforming mics for clear calls, though they lack noise cancellation and water resistance.

Pro:Easy pairing and reliable connection with Apple devices
Pro:Compact, lightweight design with a comfortable fit
Pro:Convenient touch controls and wireless charging case

Con:No active noise cancellation or transparency mode
Con:Limited to SBC and AAC codecs, no aptX or LDAC
Con:No multipoint pairing or companion app for customization

Cambridge Audio Melomania A100

The Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 are true wireless earbuds that deliver a versatile feature set at a mid-range price. They combine adaptive active noise cancellation with high-resolution wireless audio support, including LDAC and aptX Lossless, along with a comfortable, water-resistant design. With a lengthy total battery life and convenient extras like wireless charging and multipoint, they aim to be a well-rounded daily companion.

Pro:Excellent codec support including LDAC and aptX Lossless
Pro:Adaptive ANC and transparency mode for flexible listening
Pro:Long total battery life with wireless charging case

Con:Battery life drops significantly with ANC enabled
Con:Touch controls may take time to master
Con:No mention of ear tips or fit accessories in specs

Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.

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