Audio-Technica ATH-CK3TW 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

Audio-Technica ATH-CK3TW

52Average

$93

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 6 of 7 measures.

Audio-Technica ATH-CK3TW
Cambridge Audio Melomania A100

HearWiki score

Sound

6.2

9.0

Noise cancelling

7.8

Battery

4.6

8.5

Calls

4.6

8.0

Value

9.6

Price (USD)

$93

$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 Audio-Technica ATH-CK3TW (2020). The Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 is the newer platform here: Bluetooth 5.4 against 5.0, Top codec aptX Lossless against SBC and ANC type Adaptive against None.

ATH-CK3TW2020
Melomania A10020255 yr newer

What differsATH-CK3TWMelomania A100

Bluetooth: 5.0; 5.4
Top codec: SBC; aptX Lossless
ANC type: None; Adaptive
Multipoint pairing: No; Yes
Wireless charging: No; Yes
Wear detection: Yes; No
Water resistance: IPX2; IPX5

Level on: USB-C.

Specifications

ATH-CK3TWMelomania A100

Type: True Wireless; True Wireless
Price (USD): $93; $99
HearWiki score: 52; 86
Released: 2020; 2025
Availability: Still sold new; Sold new
Driver: 5.8 mm dynamic; 10 mm dynamic
Driver type: dynamic; dynamic
Driver size: 5.8 mm; 10 mm
Drivers per side: 1; 1
Frequency response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz; 20 Hz - 20 kHz
Impedance: 16 Ω; 25 Ω
Sensitivity: 98 dB/mW; -
Bluetooth: 5.0; 5.4
Codecs: SBC; SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless, LDAC
Multipoint pairing: No; Yes
Wireless range: 10 m; -
Battery life: 6 h; 11 h
Battery life (ANC on): -; 6.5 h
Battery incl. case: 30 h; 39 h
Full charge time: 120 min; 66 min
Quick charge: -; 10 min → 3.2 h
Wireless charging: No; Yes
Active noise cancelling: No; Yes
ANC type: -; adaptive
Transparency mode: -; Yes
Companion app: -; Yes
Custom EQ: -; Yes
Wear detection: Yes; No
Controls: -; touch
Voice assistant: -; Google Assistant, Siri
Weight: 4.7 g; 9.4 g
Case weight: 49.7 g; 38.7 g
Water resistance: IPX2; IPX5
USB-C: Yes; Yes
Pad material: -; silicone
Microphones: 1; 6
Microphone type: MEMS; -
Mic sensitivity: -38 dBV; -
Call noise reduction: Yes; Yes
Call NR technology: cVc; -

Specification comparison of Audio-Technica ATH-CK3TW vs Cambridge Audio Melomania A100
Spec	Audio-Technica ATH-CK3TW	Cambridge Audio Melomania A100
Type	True Wireless	True Wireless
Price (USD)	$93	$99
HearWiki score	52 / 100 Average	86 / 100 Outstanding
Released	2020	2025
Audio
Driver	5.8 mm dynamic	10 mm dynamic
Driver type	dynamic	dynamic
Driver size	5.8 mm	10 mm
Drivers per side	1	1
Frequency response	20 Hz - 20 kHz	20 Hz - 20 kHz
Impedance	16 Ω	25 Ω
Sensitivity	98 dB/mW	-
Wireless
Bluetooth	5.0	5.4
Codecs	SBC	SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless, LDAC
Multipoint pairing	No	Yes
Wireless range	10 m	-
Battery
Battery life	6 h	11 h
Battery life (ANC on)	-	6.5 h
Battery incl. case	30 h	39 h
Full charge time	120 min	66 min
Quick charge	-	10 min → 3.2 h
Wireless charging	No	Yes
Features
Active noise cancelling	No	Yes
ANC type	-	adaptive
Transparency mode	-	Yes
Companion app	-	Yes
Custom EQ	-	Yes
Wear detection	Yes	No
Controls	-	touch
Voice assistant	-	Google Assistant, Siri
Design
Weight	4.7 g	9.4 g
Case weight	49.7 g	38.7 g
Water resistance	IPX2	IPX5
USB-C	Yes	Yes
Pad material	-	silicone
Calls
Microphones	1	6
Microphone type	MEMS	-
Mic sensitivity	-38 dBV	-
Call noise reduction	Yes	Yes
Call NR technology	cVc	-

What reviewers said

Audio-Technica ATH-CK3TW

The Audio-Technica ATH-CK3TW delivers a compact true-wireless design with 5.8 mm dynamic drivers, Bluetooth 5.0, and support for SBC plus aptX audio. It offers around 6 hours of playback per charge and up to 30 hours with the case, along with IPX2 drip resistance, making it a straightforward everyday option. While battery life is a practical highlight, the overall sound tuning has drawn mixed reactions, ranging from balanced to underwhelming depending on the listener.

Pro:Compact and lightweight build (4.7 g per earbud)
Pro:Solid battery life with case totaling 30 hours
Pro:Supports aptX and SBC codecs for wireless audio

Con:No active noise cancellation
Con:No multipoint connection support
Con:Limited water resistance (only IPX2)

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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