Is the Audio-Technica ATH-SR50BT worth the upgrade from the Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 SE?
Verdict
Downgrade
The Audio-Technica ATH-SR50BT actually scores 27.1 points below the Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 SE, so on aggregate review consensus this is a step backwards. It loses ground on battery (10.0 to 5.2) and noise cancelling (7.8 to 3.2). On paper: weight 330 g to 262 g, driver size 40 mm to 45 mm and drivers per side 1 to 2. Worth checking: battery life goes 100 h to 28 h and active noise cancelling goes Yes to No. It is at least $129 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.
- Sound8.67.4
- Noise cancelling7.83.2
- Battery10.05.2
- Calls7.44.2
Spec differences
Only where the two genuinely differ - everything they share is omitted.
| Spec | Melomania P100 SE | ATH-SR50BT | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battery life | 100 h | 28 h | |
| Active noise cancelling | Yes | No | |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless | SBC, AAC, aptX | |
| Weight | 330 g | 262 g | |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.0 | |
| Multipoint pairing | Yes | No | |
| Full charge time | 160 min | 330 min | |
| Driver size | 40 mm | 45 mm | |
| Drivers per side | 1 | 2 | |
| Microphones | 6 | 1 | |
| Custom EQ | Yes | No | |
| USB-C | Yes | No | |
| Controls | touch | buttons | |
| Driver | 40 mm dynamic | 2× 45 mm dynamic | |
| Frequency response | 20 Hz - 40 kHz | 5 Hz - 40 kHz |
About this verdict
Direction matters here: this page answers "Melomania P100 SE to ATH-SR50BT". The other direction is a separate question with a different answer. Scores blend published review verdicts across over-ear and shift as new reviews land, so a marginal call today may not be one next quarter.