True Wireless
Audio-Technica ATH-CKS50TW2
77Great
$160
Full review dataAudio-Technica ATH-CKS50TW2 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
Cambridge Audio Melomania A100
86Outstanding
$99
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 leads on 5 of 7 measures.
- Audio-Technica ATH-CKS50TW2
- Cambridge Audio Melomania A100
HearWiki score
77
86
Sound
7.9
9.0
Noise cancelling
8.0
7.8
Battery
9.8
8.5
Calls
6.9
8.0
Value
8.8
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?
Mixed generations
Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 (2025) against Audio-Technica ATH-CKS50TW2 (2021). Neither is straightforwardly newer: the Audio-Technica ATH-CKS50TW2 brings LE Audio (LC3), while the Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 answers with Bluetooth 5.4 against 5.3, Top codec aptX Lossless against LC3 and ANC type Adaptive against Hybrid. The Audio-Technica ATH-CKS50TW2 answers on convenience features: it adds Wear detection and Water resistance IP55 against IPX5.
- ATH-CKS50TW22021
- Melomania A10020254 yr newer
What differsATH-CKS50TW2Melomania A100
- Bluetooth
- 5.3
- 5.4
- Top codec
- LC3
- aptX Lossless
- LE Audio (LC3)
- Yes
- No
- ANC type
- Hybrid
- Adaptive
- Wear detection
- Yes
- No
- Water resistance
- IP55
- IPX5
Platform
Everyday features
Level on: Multipoint pairing, Wireless charging, USB-C, Transparency mode, Custom EQ, Companion app.
Specifications
ATH-CKS50TW2Melomania A100
- Type
- True Wireless
- True Wireless
- Price (USD)
- $160
- $99
- HearWiki score
- 77
- 86
- Released
- 2021
- 2025
- Availability
- Still sold new
- Sold new
- Driver
- 9 mm dynamic
- 10 mm dynamic
- Driver type
- dynamic
- dynamic
- Driver size
- 9 mm
- 10 mm
- Drivers per side
- 1
- 1
- Frequency response
- 5 Hz - 20 kHz
- 20 Hz - 20 kHz
- Impedance
- 20 Ω
- 25 Ω
- Sensitivity
- 110 dB/mW
- -
- Bluetooth
- 5.3
- 5.4
- Codecs
- SBC, AAC, LC3
- SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless, LDAC
- Multipoint pairing
- Yes
- Yes
- Wireless range
- 10 m
- -
- Battery life
- 25 h
- 11 h
- Battery life (ANC on)
- 15 h
- 6.5 h
- Battery incl. case
- 65 h
- 39 h
- Full charge time
- 150 min
- 66 min
- Quick charge
- 5 min → 1.5 h
- 10 min → 3.2 h
- Wireless charging
- Yes
- Yes
- Active noise cancelling
- Yes
- Yes
- ANC type
- hybrid
- adaptive
- Transparency mode
- Yes
- Yes
- Companion app
- Yes
- Yes
- Custom EQ
- Yes
- Yes
- Wear detection
- Yes
- No
- Controls
- both
- touch
- Voice assistant
- Google Assistant, Siri
- Google Assistant, Siri
- Weight
- 7.2 g
- 9.4 g
- Case weight
- 51.5 g
- 38.7 g
- Water resistance
- IP55
- IPX5
- USB-C
- Yes
- Yes
- Pad material
- -
- silicone
- Microphones
- 2
- 6
- Microphone type
- MEMS
- -
- Mic sensitivity
- -38 dBV
- -
- Call noise reduction
- -
- Yes
What reviewers said
Audio-Technica ATH-CKS50TW2
The Audio-Technica ATH-CKS50TW2 are wireless earbuds built for marathon listening sessions, offering a claimed 25 hours of playback with ANC active and up to 65 hours with the charging case. They combine robust hybrid noise cancellation, a punchy 9mm driver sound profile, and IP55-rated durability, making them a strong all-rounder for daily use. With Bluetooth 5.3, multipoint connectivity, and wireless charging support, they pack a versatile feature set into a compact, water-resistant design.
- Pro:Exceptional battery endurance, including with ANC enabled
- Pro:Effective hybrid noise cancellation for the price
- Pro:Sturdy IP55 water and dust resistance
- Con:Bulky earbud design may not suit all ears
- Con:ANC performance is good but not class-leading
- Con:Microphone quality is decent but not outstanding
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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