Is the Xiaomi Redmi Buds 4 Pro worth the upgrade from the Cambridge Audio Melomania A100?
Verdict
Downgrade
The Xiaomi Redmi Buds 4 Pro actually scores 16.1 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: drivers per side 1 to 2 and wear detection. Worth checking: battery life goes 11 h to 9 h and codecs goes SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless, LDAC to LDAC. It is at least $42 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.
- Sound9.07.5
- Noise cancelling7.86.0
- Battery8.57.5
- Calls8.06.5
- Value9.68.0
Spec differences
Only where the two genuinely differ - everything they share is omitted.
| Spec | Melomania A100 | Redmi Buds 4 Pro | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battery life | 11 h | 9 h | |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless, LDAC | LDAC | |
| Bluetooth | 5.4 | 5.3 | |
| Water resistance | IPX5 | IP54 | |
| Battery incl. case | 39 h | 36 h | |
| Drivers per side | 1 | 2 | |
| Microphones | 6 | 3 | |
| Wireless charging | Yes | No | |
| Wear detection | No | Yes | |
| Quick charge | 10 min → 3.2 h | 5 min → 2 h | |
| Driver | 10 mm dynamic | 2-driver hybrid |
About this verdict
Direction matters here: this page answers "Melomania A100 to Redmi Buds 4 Pro". 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.