Is the OnePlus Buds Z worth the upgrade from the Cambridge Audio Melomania A100?
Verdict
Downgrade
The OnePlus Buds Z actually scores 31.4 points below the Cambridge Audio Melomania A100, so on aggregate review consensus this is a step backwards. It loses ground on battery (8.5 to 4.3) and calls (8.0 to 5.0). On paper: weight 9.4 g to 4.3 g. Worth checking: battery life goes 11 h to 5 h and active noise cancelling goes Yes to No. It is at least $49 cheaper, so the lower score comes with a saving. 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.
- Sound9.06.1
- Battery8.54.3
- Calls8.05.0
Spec differences
Only where the two genuinely differ - everything they share is omitted.
| Spec | Melomania A100 | Buds Z | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battery life | 11 h | 5 h | |
| Active noise cancelling | Yes | No | |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless, LDAC | SBC, AAC | |
| Weight | 9.4 g | 4.3 g | |
| Bluetooth | 5.4 | 5.0 | |
| Multipoint pairing | Yes | No | |
| Water resistance | IPX5 | IP55 | |
| Battery incl. case | 39 h | 20 h | |
| Microphones | 6 | 2 | |
| Wireless charging | Yes | No | |
| Transparency mode | Yes | No | |
| Companion app | Yes | No | |
| Custom EQ | Yes | No | |
| ANC type | adaptive | none | |
| Quick charge | 10 min → 3.2 h | 10 min → 3 h |
About this verdict
Direction matters here: this page answers "Melomania A100 to Buds Z". 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.