Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 vs KZ Xtra: 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 data

True Wireless

KZ Xtra

72Great

$91

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.

Cambridge Audio Melomania A100
KZ Xtra

HearWiki score

Sound

9.0

8.1

Noise cancelling

7.8

6.8

Battery

8.5

7.0

Calls

8.0

6.8

Value

9.6

8.0

Price (USD)

$99

$91

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 KZ Xtra (2024). The Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 is the newer platform here: Top codec aptX Lossless against aptX Adaptive and ANC type Adaptive against Hybrid. It also adds Multipoint pairing, Wireless charging, Custom EQ and Companion app.

Melomania A10020251 yr newer
Xtra2024

What differsMelomania A100Xtra

Top codec: aptX Lossless; aptX Adaptive
ANC type: Adaptive; Hybrid
Multipoint pairing: Yes; No
Wireless charging: Yes; No
Custom EQ: Yes; No
Companion app: Yes; No
Water resistance: IPX5; Not rated

Level on: Bluetooth, USB-C, Transparency mode.

Specifications

Melomania A100Xtra

Type: True Wireless; True Wireless
Price (USD): $99; $91
HearWiki score: 86; 72
Released: 2025; 2024
Availability: Sold new; Discontinued
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; -
Sensitivity: -; 120 dB/mW
Bluetooth: 5.4; 5.4
Codecs: SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless, LDAC; SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive
Multipoint pairing: Yes; No
Latency: -; 55 ms
Wireless range: -; 15 m
Battery life: 11 h; 8 h
Battery life (ANC on): 6.5 h; -
Battery incl. case: 39 h; 32 h
Full charge time: 66 min; 120 min
Quick charge: 10 min → 3.2 h; -
Wireless charging: Yes; No
Active noise cancelling: Yes; Yes
ANC type: adaptive; hybrid
Transparency mode: Yes; Yes
Companion app: Yes; No
Custom EQ: Yes; No
Wear detection: No; No
Controls: touch; buttons
Voice assistant: Google Assistant, Siri; Siri
Weight: 9.4 g; -
Case weight: 38.7 g; -
Water resistance: IPX5; none
Foldable: -; No
Detachable cable: -; No
USB-C: Yes; Yes
Pad material: silicone; -
Microphones: 6; 3
Call noise reduction: Yes; Yes
Call NR technology: -; cVc

Specification comparison of Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 vs KZ Xtra
Spec	Cambridge Audio Melomania A100	KZ Xtra
Type	True Wireless	True Wireless
Price (USD)	$99	$91
HearWiki score	86 / 100 Outstanding	72 / 100 Great
Released	2025	2024
Audio
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	-
Sensitivity	-	120 dB/mW
Wireless
Bluetooth	5.4	5.4
Codecs	SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless, LDAC	SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive
Multipoint pairing	Yes	No
Latency	-	55 ms
Wireless range	-	15 m
Battery
Battery life	11 h	8 h
Battery life (ANC on)	6.5 h	-
Battery incl. case	39 h	32 h
Full charge time	66 min	120 min
Quick charge	10 min → 3.2 h	-
Wireless charging	Yes	No
Features
Active noise cancelling	Yes	Yes
ANC type	adaptive	hybrid
Transparency mode	Yes	Yes
Companion app	Yes	No
Custom EQ	Yes	No
Wear detection	No	No
Controls	touch	buttons
Voice assistant	Google Assistant, Siri	Siri
Design
Weight	9.4 g	-
Case weight	38.7 g	-
Water resistance	IPX5	none
Foldable	-	No
Detachable cable	-	No
USB-C	Yes	Yes
Pad material	silicone	-
Calls
Microphones	6	3
Call noise reduction	Yes	Yes
Call NR technology	-	cVc

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

KZ Xtra

The KZ Xtra are wireless earbuds that deliver standout audio for their price, with rich mids and a wide soundstage that impresses. They also include effective hybrid ANC and a stable Bluetooth 5.4 connection, though some usability quirks like finicky touch controls and loud prompts may require patience. Overall, they offer exceptional value for budget-conscious listeners prioritizing sound quality.

Pro:Outstanding sound quality with excellent mids and soundstage
Pro:Effective hybrid active noise cancellation
Pro:Fast and stable Bluetooth 5.4 connection

Con:Touch controls can be overly sensitive
Con:Voice prompts are loud and intrusive
Con:Video playback may lag on some Android devices

Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.

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