Over-Ear
Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 SE
78Great
$275
Full review dataCambridge Audio Melomania P100 SE vs Nectar Hive: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the Nectar Hive comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 85. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: Nectar Hive - Outstanding overall at around $197.
Over-Ear
Nectar Hive
85Outstanding
$197
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 SE
Sound8.0
Noise cancelling7.0
Battery9.5
Calls8.0
Value8.0
Nectar Hive
Sound9.0
Value7.0
Specifications
| Spec | Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 SE | Nectar Hive |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $275 | $197 |
| HearWiki score | 78 / 100 · Great | 85 / 100 · Outstanding |
| Released | 2025 | 2022 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | Electrostatic |
| Driver size | 40 mm | - |
| Drivers per side | 2 | - |
| Frequency response | 20Hz-40kHz | 20Hz-7kHz |
| Sound signature | - | Bright neutral |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | - |
| Bluetooth version | 5.3 | - |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless | - |
| Multipoint pairing | Yes | - |
| Latency | 80 ms | - |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 100 h | - |
| Battery life (ANC on) | 60 h | - |
| Full charge time | 160 min | - |
| Quick charge | 5 min = 4 h playback (ANC off) | - |
| Wireless charging | No | - |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | Yes | - |
| ANC type | hybrid | - |
| Transparency mode | Yes | - |
| Companion app | Yes | - |
| Custom EQ | Yes | - |
| Controls | touch | - |
| Voice assistant | supports voice assistant via Bluetooth controls | - |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 330 g | 370 g |
| Water resistance | none | - |
| USB-C | Yes | - |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | 6 | - |
What reviewers said
Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 SE
The Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 SE is a well-rounded wireless over-ear headphone with a focus on portability, offering an outstanding battery life of up to 100 hours without ANC and 60 with it. It delivers a premium feel and sound, though its bulky build and a bass-heavy default tuning may not suit everyone, and the noise cancellation performance is decent but not top-tier.
- Pro:Exceptional battery life, especially with ANC off
- Pro:Premium build and sound quality for the price
- Pro:Supports aptX Lossless and multipoint Bluetooth 5.3
- Con:Bulky and heavy design may cause fatigue for some
- Con:Bass is overly boosted out of the box
- Con:Noise canceling is inconsistent in varying conditions
Nectar Hive
The Nectar Hive is a wired electrostatic over-ear headphone priced around $600, weighing just 370 grams. It delivers a bright neutral sound signature with a frequency response spanning 20Hz to 7kHz, offering a detailed and airy presentation that leans toward analytical clarity. This model earns high marks for its tonal balance and technical performance, making it a strong contender in its price bracket for listeners who prefer a crisp, revealing sound.
- Pro:Excellent tonal accuracy and neutrality
- Pro:Impressive technical detail retrieval
- Pro:Featherweight design for comfort
- Con:Bright tilt may be fatiguing for some
- Con:Limited bass impact due to electrostatic nature
- Con:Requires dedicated amplifier for proper use
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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