Is the OnePlus Buds 3 worth the upgrade from the Cambridge Audio Melomania A100?
Verdict
Downgrade
The OnePlus Buds 3 actually scores 11.6 points below the Cambridge Audio Melomania A100, so on aggregate review consensus this is a step backwards. It loses ground on noise cancelling (7.8 to 6.0) and value (9.6 to 8.0). On paper: battery incl. case 39 h to 44 h, driver size 10 mm to 11 mm and drivers per side 1 to 2. Worth checking: battery life goes 11 h to 10 h and bluetooth goes 5.4 to 5.3. The two sit at effectively the same price. Only worth it if a specific feature above matters more to you than overall quality does.
What actually changes
Sub-scores both products have, on the same 0-10 scale. Bars extend right for a gain, left for a loss.
- Sound9.08.0
- Noise cancelling7.86.0
- Battery8.57.0
- Calls8.08.0
- Value9.68.0
Spec differences
Only where the two genuinely differ - everything they share is omitted.
| Spec | Melomania A100 | Buds 3 | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battery life | 11 h | 10 h | |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless, LDAC | SBC, AAC, LHDC | |
| Bluetooth | 5.4 | 5.3 | |
| Water resistance | IPX5 | IP55 | |
| Battery incl. case | 39 h | 44 h | |
| Driver size | 10 mm | 11 mm | |
| Drivers per side | 1 | 2 | |
| Wireless charging | Yes | No | |
| ANC type | adaptive | hybrid | |
| Quick charge | 10 min → 3.2 h | 10 min → 7 h | |
| Driver | 10 mm dynamic | 2-driver hybrid | |
| Frequency response | 20 Hz - 20 kHz | 15 Hz - 40 kHz |
About this verdict
Direction matters here: this page answers "Melomania A100 to Buds 3". The other direction is a separate question with a different answer. Scores blend published review verdicts across true wireless and shift as new reviews land, so a marginal call today may not be one next quarter.