British audiophile brand Cambridge Audio today announced a new true wireless earphone called the Melomania Touch. Set to arrive January 1st 2021 with a price of $149.95, Cambridge Audio’s latest earbuds come in an all-new sleek design with touch controls, while boasting a sonic upgrade and longer battery life over the prior generation Melomania 1 (now discounted to $79.95 at Amazon).
All-new Design
Audio Features
Sound from the Melomania Touch is generated from custom Cambridge Audio 7mm drivers enhanced with graphene for improved dynamism and response. An innovative High Performance Audio Mode uses proprietary hi-fi grade amplification technology that the company claims delivers a genuine step forward in sonic performance — offering even greater soundstage, lower noise and a higher dynamic range. The only downside is that it eats up battery life, resulting in 7 hours of continued use instead of 9 hours.
Transparency Mode is another new feature, which feeds in outside ambient noises so you can be aware of your surroundings while still enjoying music at the same time. You can turn the Transparency Mode on or off using touch controls on the earbuds, and adjust the transparency levels within the Melomania app.
Additionally, the inclusion of two high quality microphones and Qualcomm’s Clear Voice Capture (cVc) noise-cancelling technology ensures that voice calls over smartphones, tablets and laptops remain crisp, clear and free from background noise.
App Customizations
The new Melomania app, compatible with iOS and Android devices, enhances the experience of using Melomania Touch. With the free app, you can customize EQ settings and tailor music playback to your individual sonic style, locate misplaced earbuds using your phone’s map location, and check each earbud’s battery life. The app also allows you to upgrade Melomania Touch’s firmware, which means the product is future-proofed and will improve over time.
Convenience
Using intuitive touch controls on Melomania Touch, simply tap on the earbuds to play and pause music, skip tracks, change volume, take hands-free calls, switch on Transparency Mode and summon Siri or Google Assistant.
With IPX4 certification, Melomania Touch is also protected against water and sweat, so the headphones can withstand a sudden spell of rain or your daily exercise.
Melomania Touch also comes with a new compact charging case finished in premium microfiber leather and sports a fast-charging USB-C port.
Comparison
| Melomania 1 | Melomania Touch | |
| MSRP | $99.95 | $149.95 |
| Bluetooth | 5.0, Class 2 | 5.0, Class 2 |
| Qualcomm Chip | QCC3026 | QCC3020 |
| Driver | 5.8mm | 7mm |
| Microphone Sensitivity | 96dB SPL at 1kHz | 100dB SPL at 1kHz |
| Battery (per charge) | 9 Hours | 9 Hours |
| Battery (total) | 45 Hours | 50 Hours |
| Touch Controls | Yes | Yes |
| High Performance Mode | – | Yes |
| Transparency Mode | – | Yes |
| Low Power Mode | – | Yes |
| App/EQ Customizations | – | Yes |
| Certification | IPX5 | IPX4 |
| Charging | Micro USB | USB-C |
| Weight | 4.6g | 5.9g |
Price & Availability
The Cambridge Audio Melomania Touch true wireless earphones will be available January 1, 2021 in black or white for $149.95 at Amazon and cambridgeaudio.com.
