Beats Studio Buds + vs Cambridge Audio Melomania A100: which should you buy?

On aggregated review scores the Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 86. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.

Our pick: Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 - Outstanding overall at around $99.

True Wireless

Beats Studio Buds +

72Great

$170

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.

Beats Studio Buds +
Cambridge Audio Melomania A100

HearWiki score

Sound

7.2

9.0

Noise cancelling

7.5

7.8

Battery

7.2

8.5

Calls

7.5

8.0

Value

7.3

9.6

Price (USD)

$170

$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 Beats Studio Buds + (2021). The Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 is the newer platform here: Bluetooth 5.4 against 5.3, Top codec aptX Lossless against AAC and ANC type Adaptive against Hybrid. It also adds Wireless charging, Custom EQ and Water resistance IPX5 against IPX4.

Studio Buds +2021
Melomania A10020254 yr newer

What differsStudio Buds +Melomania A100

Bluetooth: 5.3; 5.4
Top codec: AAC; aptX Lossless
ANC type: Hybrid; Adaptive
Wireless charging: No; Yes
Custom EQ: No; Yes
Water resistance: IPX4; IPX5

Level on: Multipoint pairing, USB-C, Transparency mode, Companion app.

Specifications

Studio Buds +Melomania A100

Type: True Wireless; True Wireless
Price (USD): $170; $99
HearWiki score: 72; 86
Released: 2021; 2025
Availability: Still sold new; Sold new
Driver: 8.2 mm driver; 10 mm dynamic
Driver type: dynamic; dynamic
Driver size: 8.2 mm; 10 mm
Drivers per side: 1; 1
Frequency response: -; 20 Hz - 20 kHz
Impedance: -; 25 Ω
Bluetooth: 5.3; 5.4
Codecs: SBC, AAC; SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless, LDAC
Multipoint pairing: Yes; Yes
Battery life: 9 h; 11 h
Battery life (ANC on): 6 h; 6.5 h
Battery incl. case: 36 h; 39 h
Full charge time: -; 66 min
Quick charge: 5 min → 1 h; 10 min → 3.2 h
Wireless charging: No; Yes
Active noise cancelling: Yes; Yes
ANC type: hybrid; adaptive
Transparency mode: Yes; Yes
Companion app: Yes; Yes
Custom EQ: No; Yes
Wear detection: No; No
Controls: buttons; touch
Voice assistant: Siri; Google Assistant, Siri
Weight: 5 g; 9.4 g
Case weight: 49 g; 38.7 g
Water resistance: IPX4; IPX5
USB-C: Yes; Yes
Pad material: -; silicone
Microphones: 3; 6
Call noise reduction: -; Yes

Specification comparison of Beats Studio Buds + vs Cambridge Audio Melomania A100
Spec	Beats Studio Buds +	Cambridge Audio Melomania A100
Type	True Wireless	True Wireless
Price (USD)	$170	$99
HearWiki score	72 / 100 Great	86 / 100 Outstanding
Released	2021	2025
Audio
Driver	8.2 mm driver	10 mm dynamic
Driver type	dynamic	dynamic
Driver size	8.2 mm	10 mm
Drivers per side	1	1
Frequency response	-	20 Hz - 20 kHz
Impedance	-	25 Ω
Wireless
Bluetooth	5.3	5.4
Codecs	SBC, AAC	SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless, LDAC
Multipoint pairing	Yes	Yes
Battery
Battery life	9 h	11 h
Battery life (ANC on)	6 h	6.5 h
Battery incl. case	36 h	39 h
Full charge time	-	66 min
Quick charge	5 min → 1 h	10 min → 3.2 h
Wireless charging	No	Yes
Features
Active noise cancelling	Yes	Yes
ANC type	hybrid	adaptive
Transparency mode	Yes	Yes
Companion app	Yes	Yes
Custom EQ	No	Yes
Wear detection	No	No
Controls	buttons	touch
Voice assistant	Siri	Google Assistant, Siri
Design
Weight	5 g	9.4 g
Case weight	49 g	38.7 g
Water resistance	IPX4	IPX5
USB-C	Yes	Yes
Pad material	-	silicone
Calls
Microphones	3	6
Call noise reduction	-	Yes

What reviewers said

Beats Studio Buds +

These true wireless earbuds offer a well-rounded package with hybrid active noise cancellation, a comfortable fit, and solid battery life, making them a strong pick for daily commutes and travel. They work smoothly across both Apple and Android devices thanks to Bluetooth 5.3 and multipoint support, though they skip premium extras like wireless charging and hi-res codecs. With a transparent design and improved sound over standard AirPods, they serve as a compelling mid-range alternative to pricier flagship models.

Pro:Effective hybrid ANC with transparency mode
Pro:Comfortable and stable fit for all-day wear
Pro:Bluetooth 5.3 with multipoint for seamless device switching

Con:No wireless charging support
Con:Limited to SBC and AAC codecs, no hi-res audio
Con:No custom EQ in the companion app

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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