True Wireless
Cambridge Audio Melomania A100
86Outstanding
$99
Full review dataCambridge Audio Melomania A100 vs Huawei FreeBuds SE 3: 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
Huawei FreeBuds SE 3
77Great
$55
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 4 of 7 measures.
- Cambridge Audio Melomania A100
- Huawei FreeBuds SE 3
HearWiki score
86
77
Sound
9.0
7.6
Noise cancelling
7.8
-
Battery
8.5
8.9
Calls
8.0
8.7
Value
9.6
7.6
Price (USD)
$99
$55
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
Both shipped in 2025. The Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 is the newer platform here: Top codec aptX Lossless against AAC and ANC type Adaptive against None.
- Melomania A1002025
- FreeBuds SE 32025
What differsMelomania A100FreeBuds SE 3
- Top codec
- aptX Lossless
- AAC
- ANC type
- Adaptive
- None
- Multipoint pairing
- Yes
- No
- Water resistance
- IPX5
- IP54
Platform
Everyday features
Level on: Bluetooth, USB-C, Custom EQ, Companion app.
Specifications
Melomania A100FreeBuds SE 3
- Type
- True Wireless
- True Wireless
- Price (USD)
- $99
- $55
- HearWiki score
- 86
- 77
- Released
- 2025
- 2025
- Availability
- Sold new
- Sold new
- Driver
- 10 mm dynamic
- 10 mm dynamic
- Driver type
- dynamic
- dynamic
- Driver size
- 10 mm
- 10 mm
- Drivers per side
- 1
- 1
- Frequency response
- 20 Hz - 20 kHz
- 20 Hz - 20 kHz
- Impedance
- 25 Ω
- -
- Bluetooth
- 5.4
- 5.4
- Codecs
- SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless, LDAC
- SBC, AAC
- Multipoint pairing
- Yes
- No
- Wireless range
- -
- 10 m
- Battery life
- 11 h
- 9 h
- Battery life (ANC on)
- 6.5 h
- -
- Battery incl. case
- 39 h
- 42 h
- Full charge time
- 66 min
- 60 min
- Quick charge
- 10 min → 3.2 h
- 10 min → 3 h
- Wireless charging
- Yes
- -
- Active noise cancelling
- Yes
- No
- ANC type
- adaptive
- -
- Transparency mode
- Yes
- -
- Companion app
- Yes
- Yes
- Custom EQ
- Yes
- Yes
- Wear detection
- No
- -
- Controls
- touch
- touch
- Voice assistant
- Google Assistant, Siri
- Yes
- Weight
- 9.4 g
- 3.8 g
- Case weight
- 38.7 g
- 33 g
- Water resistance
- IPX5
- IP54
- USB-C
- Yes
- Yes
- Pad material
- silicone
- -
- Microphones
- 6
- 2
- Call noise reduction
- Yes
- Yes
What reviewers said
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
Huawei FreeBuds SE 3
The Huawei FreeBuds SE 3 deliver surprisingly clear and forward vocals for their modest price, backed by a robust 9-hour single charge and a total of 42 hours with the case. Call quality is a standout, while the IP54 rating adds practical durability for workouts or light rain. However, the lack of multipoint pairing may frustrate users who switch between devices regularly.
- Pro:Excellent sound clarity with forward vocals
- Pro:Long 9-hour battery life plus 42 hours with case
- Pro:Superb call quality for clear conversations
- Con:No multipoint connection for multi-device use
- Con:No active noise cancellation
- Con:Only SBC and AAC codecs, no aptX support
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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