Audio-Technica ATH-SQ1TW 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-SQ1TW

65Good

$79

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-SQ1TW
Cambridge Audio Melomania A100

HearWiki score

Sound

7.7

9.0

Noise cancelling

7.8

Battery

5.4

8.5

Calls

5.6

8.0

Value

9.6

Price (USD)

$79

$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-SQ1TW (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. It also adds Multipoint pairing, Wireless charging, Custom EQ and Companion app.

ATH-SQ1TW2020
Melomania A10020255 yr newer

What differsATH-SQ1TWMelomania A100

Bluetooth: 5.0; 5.4
Top codec: SBC; aptX Lossless
ANC type: None; Adaptive
Multipoint pairing: No; Yes
Wireless charging: No; Yes
Custom EQ: No; Yes
Companion app: No; Yes
Water resistance: IPX4; IPX5

Level on: USB-C, Transparency mode.

Specifications

ATH-SQ1TWMelomania A100

Type: True Wireless; True Wireless
Price (USD): $79; $99
HearWiki score: 65; 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: 100 dB/mW; -
Bluetooth: 5.0; 5.4
Codecs: SBC; SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless, LDAC
Multipoint pairing: No; Yes
Battery life: 6.5 h; 11 h
Battery life (ANC on): -; 6.5 h
Battery incl. case: 19.5 h; 39 h
Full charge time: 90 min; 66 min
Quick charge: 15 min → 1 h; 10 min → 3.2 h
Wireless charging: No; Yes
Active noise cancelling: No; Yes
ANC type: none; adaptive
Transparency mode: Yes; Yes
Companion app: No; Yes
Custom EQ: No; Yes
Wear detection: No; No
Controls: touch; touch
Voice assistant: -; Google Assistant, Siri
Weight: 5.2 g; 9.4 g
Case weight: 34.2 g; 38.7 g
Water resistance: IPX4; IPX5
USB-C: Yes; Yes
Pad material: -; silicone
Connector: USB-C; -
Microphones: 1; 6
Microphone type: MEMS; -
Mic sensitivity: -38 dBV; -
Call noise reduction: -; Yes

Specification comparison of Audio-Technica ATH-SQ1TW vs Cambridge Audio Melomania A100
Spec	Audio-Technica ATH-SQ1TW	Cambridge Audio Melomania A100
Type	True Wireless	True Wireless
Price (USD)	$79	$99
HearWiki score	65 / 100 Good	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	100 dB/mW	-
Wireless
Bluetooth	5.0	5.4
Codecs	SBC	SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless, LDAC
Multipoint pairing	No	Yes
Battery
Battery life	6.5 h	11 h
Battery life (ANC on)	-	6.5 h
Battery incl. case	19.5 h	39 h
Full charge time	90 min	66 min
Quick charge	15 min → 1 h	10 min → 3.2 h
Wireless charging	No	Yes
Features
Active noise cancelling	No	Yes
ANC type	none	adaptive
Transparency mode	Yes	Yes
Companion app	No	Yes
Custom EQ	No	Yes
Wear detection	No	No
Controls	touch	touch
Voice assistant	-	Google Assistant, Siri
Design
Weight	5.2 g	9.4 g
Case weight	34.2 g	38.7 g
Water resistance	IPX4	IPX5
USB-C	Yes	Yes
Pad material	-	silicone
Connector	USB-C	-
Calls
Microphones	1	6
Microphone type	MEMS	-
Mic sensitivity	-38 dBV	-
Call noise reduction	-	Yes

What reviewers said

Audio-Technica ATH-SQ1TW

The Audio-Technica ATH-SQ1TW are budget true wireless earbuds that deliver a lively, engaging sound in a compact, well-built shell. They rely on a secure fit for passive noise blocking rather than active cancellation, offering a straightforward feature set with touch controls and IPX4 water resistance. While they lack premium extras like app support or multipoint, their comfortable design and solid battery life make them a dependable everyday option.

Pro:Comfortable and secure fit
Pro:Solid build quality
Pro:Lively, engaging sound

Con:Only SBC codec support
Con:No active noise cancellation
Con:No 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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