Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 vs Samsung Galaxy Buds Core: 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

Samsung Galaxy Buds Core

76Great

$55

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 5 of 7 measures.

Cambridge Audio Melomania A100
Samsung Galaxy Buds Core

HearWiki score

Sound

9.0

7.2

Noise cancelling

7.8

5.5

Battery

8.5

9.0

Calls

8.0

7.0

Value

9.6

8.8

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 Hybrid.

Melomania A1002025
Galaxy Buds Core2025

What differsMelomania A100Galaxy Buds Core

Top codec: aptX Lossless; AAC
ANC type: Adaptive; Hybrid
Multipoint pairing: Yes; No
Wear detection: No; Yes
Custom EQ: Yes; No
Water resistance: IPX5; IP54

Level on: Bluetooth, Wireless charging, USB-C, Transparency mode, Companion app.

Specifications

Melomania A100Galaxy Buds Core

Type: True Wireless; True Wireless
Price (USD): $99; $55
HearWiki score: 86; 76
Released: 2025; 2025
Availability: Sold new; Sold new
Driver: 10 mm dynamic; 12 mm dynamic
Driver type: dynamic; dynamic
Driver size: 10 mm; 12 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, Samsung Scalable
Multipoint pairing: Yes; No
Wireless range: -; 10 m
Battery life: 11 h; 35 h
Battery life (ANC on): 6.5 h; 20 h
Battery incl. case: 39 h; -
Full charge time: 66 min; -
Quick charge: 10 min → 3.2 h; 10 min → 1 h
Wireless charging: Yes; Yes
Active noise cancelling: Yes; Yes
ANC type: adaptive; hybrid
Transparency mode: Yes; Yes
Companion app: Yes; Yes
Custom EQ: Yes; No
Wear detection: No; Yes
Controls: touch; touch
Voice assistant: Google Assistant, Siri; Yes
Weight: 9.4 g; 5.3 g
Case weight: 38.7 g; 31.2 g
Water resistance: IPX5; IP54
USB-C: Yes; Yes
Pad material: silicone; -
Model code: -; SM-R410NZKALTA
Microphones: 6; 3
Call noise reduction: Yes; -

Specification comparison of Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 vs Samsung Galaxy Buds Core
Spec	Cambridge Audio Melomania A100	Samsung Galaxy Buds Core
Type	True Wireless	True Wireless
Price (USD)	$99	$55
HearWiki score	86 / 100 Outstanding	76 / 100 Great
Released	2025	2025
Audio
Driver	10 mm dynamic	12 mm dynamic
Driver type	dynamic	dynamic
Driver size	10 mm	12 mm
Drivers per side	1	1
Frequency response	20 Hz - 20 kHz	20 Hz - 20 kHz
Impedance	25 Ω	-
Wireless
Bluetooth	5.4	5.4
Codecs	SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless, LDAC	SBC, AAC, Samsung Scalable
Multipoint pairing	Yes	No
Wireless range	-	10 m
Battery
Battery life	11 h	35 h
Battery life (ANC on)	6.5 h	20 h
Battery incl. case	39 h	-
Full charge time	66 min	-
Quick charge	10 min → 3.2 h	10 min → 1 h
Wireless charging	Yes	Yes
Features
Active noise cancelling	Yes	Yes
ANC type	adaptive	hybrid
Transparency mode	Yes	Yes
Companion app	Yes	Yes
Custom EQ	Yes	No
Wear detection	No	Yes
Controls	touch	touch
Voice assistant	Google Assistant, Siri	Yes
Design
Weight	9.4 g	5.3 g
Case weight	38.7 g	31.2 g
Water resistance	IPX5	IP54
USB-C	Yes	Yes
Pad material	silicone	-
Model code	-	SM-R410NZKALTA
Calls
Microphones	6	3
Call noise reduction	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

Samsung Galaxy Buds Core

The Samsung Galaxy Buds Core are an affordable pair of true wireless earbuds that bring hybrid active noise cancellation, clear call quality, and a comfortable fit. They offer a versatile sound profile with a bass-forward or balanced tuning option, plus a long total battery life with the charging case. While they lack multipoint and custom EQ, they remain a solid budget choice for Samsung users.

Pro:Effective hybrid ANC for the price
Pro:Clear call quality with 3-mic setup
Pro:Long combined battery life of 35 hours

Con:No multipoint connectivity
Con:No custom EQ in the app
Con:Bass-heavy default tuning may not suit everyone

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

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