Cambridge Audio is updating its true wireless earbud lineup for 2026 with the Melomania A100 SE, a new Special Edition version of its affordable Melomania A100 Wireless Earbuds featuring Dolby Audio, refined sound tuning, and several targeted upgrades rather than an entirely new design.
When the original Melomania A100 arrived in 2025, it caught our attention as a surprisingly affordable alternative to Apple’s AirPods and other premium wireless earbuds. Instead of replacing a model that still has plenty of life left in it, Cambridge Audio has taken the more sensible route for 2026: keep what worked, adjust the tuning, add new features, and keep the price where it was.
What’s New with the Melomania A100 SE?
The biggest upgrade to the Melomania A100 SE is the addition of Dolby Audio with Spatial Audio, accessible through the Melomania Connect App (iOS, Android). Cambridge Audio says Dolby Audio is designed to deliver a more immersive listening experience while also improving vocal and dialog clarity.
Pro Tip: Although Dolby Audio is being positioned as one of the key upgrades, Cambridge Audio has confirmed that Dolby Atmos is not supported as part of the feature set.
A second, less obvious and decidedly more low-tech change involves the earbud grilles. Cambridge Audio says the mesh is now less restrictive, allowing for greater treble “airiness.” The company has also revised the overall tuning, promising deeper bass, a richer midrange, and clearer highs compared with the original A100.
Cosmetically, the A100 SE adds a new Blue finish alongside the Black and White options already offered with the A100.
What Has Cambridge Audio Carried Over?
Much of the underlying hardware from the original A100 carries over to the Melomania A100 SE, including the same Class A/B amplification architecture. Cambridge Audio also uses Class A/B amplification in its CX and EX Series components.
The amplifiers are paired with precision-tuned 10mm neodymium drivers, while a dedicated dual-core 240MHz Qualcomm Kalimba DSP handles additional signal processing and is designed to reduce distortion.
Snapdragon Sound also returns, providing support for robust, low-latency wireless connections for music, gaming, and movies. The A100 SE supports 24-bit/96kHz audio, along with aptX Lossless, LDAC, AAC, and SBC.
The six-microphone array, with three microphones in each earbud, has also been carried over from the A100 to support voice calls and background noise isolation.
Like its predecessor, the A100 SE offers up to 39 hours of total battery life, wireless and USB-C charging, Adaptive Hybrid ANC, and IPX5 water resistance.
The A100 SE also retains customizable touch controls on each earbud, allowing users to configure playback and other functions through the Melomania Connect App.
Comparison
| Cambridge Audio Model | Melomania A100 SE (2026) | Melomania A100 (2025) |
| Product Type | Wireless Earbuds | Wireless Earbuds |
| MSRP | $149 | $149 |
| Amplification | Class A/B amplification | Class A/B amplification |
| Driver | 10mm driver with recycled neodymium magnets | 10mm driver with recycled neodymium magnets |
| Dolby Audio | Yes | – |
| DynamEQ | Yes | Yes |
| Adjustable EQ | 7-band EQ via Melomania Connect App | 7-band EQ via Melomania Connect App |
| Bluetooth | Ver 5.4 | Ver 5.4 |
| Bluetooth Multipoint | Yes | Yes |
| Supported profiles | A2DP, AVRCP, HFP | A2DP, AVRCP, HFP |
| Supported codecs | LDAC, aptX Lossless, aptX Adaptive, AAC, SBC | LDAC, aptX Lossless, aptX Adaptive, AAC, SBC |
| Google Fast Pair | Yes | Yes |
| Low latency | Under 80ms with Gaming Mode via Melomania Connect App | Under 80ms with Gaming Mode via Melomania Connect App |
| Processor | Qualcomm QCC3091 | Qualcomm QCC3091 |
| Application subsystem | Dual-core 32-bit processor, up to 80MHz | Dual-core 32-bit processor, up to 80MHz |
| Audio subsystem | Dual-core 240 MHz configurable Qualcomm Kalimba DSP | Dual-core 240 Mhz configurable Qualcomm Kalimba DSP |
| App | Melomania Connect | Melomania Connect |
| Firmware | Upgradable via Melomania Connect | Upgradable via Melomania Connect |
| Wear detect | Yes, capacitive detection | Yes, capacitive detection |
| Noise cancelling | Qualcomm Adaptive Active Noise Cancellation | Qualcomm Adaptive Active Noise Cancelling |
| Transparency mode | Yes | Yes |
| Wind noise reduction | Yes | Yes |
| Microphones | 6 microphones, 3 per earbud | 6 microphones, 3 per earbud |
| Voice processing | 3-microphone Qualcomm cVc Echo Cancelling and Noise Suppression (ECNS) | 3-microphone Qualcomm cVc Echo Cancelling and Noise Suppression (ECNS) |
| Voice assistant | Siri, Google Assistant | Siri, Google Assistant |
| Playtime | Up to 39 hours | Up to 39 hours |
| Playtime (ANC on) | Up to 21 hours | Up to 21 hours |
| Charging time | 1.1 hours | 1.1 hours |
| Fast charge | 10 minutes gives 3.2 hours of playback (ANC off) | 10 minutes gives 3.2 hours of playback (ANC off) |
| Charging | USB-C, wireless charging (Qi-compatible but not certified) | USB-C, wireless charging (Qi-compatible but not certified) |
| Colors | Black, White, Blue | Black, White |
| Dimensions (Earbuds) | 33.59 x 23.72 x 21.98 mm 1.32 x 0.933 x 0.86 inches | 33.59 x 23.72 x 21.98 mm 1.32 x 0.933 x 0.86 inches |
| Dimensions (Charging Case) | 60.99 x 24.60 x 44.89mm 2.04 x 0.97 x 1.77 inches | 60.99 x 24.60 x 44.89mm 2.04 x 0.97 x 1.77 inches |
| Weight (Earbuds) | 4.7g each / 0.1661oz | 4.7g each / 0.1661oz |
| Weight (case) | 38.7g / 1.365oz | 38.7g / 1.365oz |
| Weight (total) | 48.1g / 1.70oz | 48.1g / 1.70oz |
| What’s In The Box | A100 SE Wireless Earbuds USB-C to USB-C charging cable 3 x silicone eartips (S, M and L) Quick Start Guide Function controls card Brand booklet Safety instructions | A100 Wireless Earbuds USB-C to USB-C charging cable 3 x silicone eartips (S, M and L) Quick Start Guide Function controls card Brand booklet Safety instruction |
The Bottom Line
The original Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 already offered an unusually strong feature set for $149, including Class A/B amplification, LDAC and aptX Lossless support, Adaptive Hybrid ANC, Multipoint Bluetooth, wireless charging, customizable EQ, and IPX5 water resistance.
The new Melomania A100 SE does not represent a major generational leap, but it does build on that foundation with revised acoustic tuning, a less restrictive grille design, and a new Blue finish. What remains distinctive at this price is the combination of Class A/B amplification with both LDAC and aptX Lossless, which is still uncommon among true wireless earbuds selling for $149.
Price & Availability
The Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 SE is available at cambridgeaudio.com and Authorized Retailers for $149.
The Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 – $149 $99 at Amazon
Related Reading:
- Sony WF-1000XM6 Wireless Earbuds Review: Best Buds?
- Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds 2nd Gen Review
- Apple AirPods 5 Bring ANC to $129 While Wireless Charging Model Drops to $149
- Noble Audio Osprey Review: $199 Audiophile Earbuds Put Sound Quality First
