Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 SE Adds Dolby Audio And Lossless Bluetooth

Cambridge Audio has announced the Melomania A100 SE, a new version of its true wireless earbuds. The update adds Dolby Audio processing while keeping the HiFi-focused amplification, noise cancelling and high-quality Bluetooth options of the original Melomania A100.

At £129, the A100 SE sits within reach of someone buying a first serious pair of wireless earbuds. It is a complete listening system, so there is no separate amplifier or DAC to buy, and it can be used for music, films, games, calls and everyday travel.

Quick Reference

Product: True wireless earbuds with active noise cancelling

Sound: 10mm drivers, Class AB amplification and Dolby Audio

Bluetooth: Snapdragon Sound with aptX Lossless, LDAC, AAC and SBC support

Battery: Up to 39 hours in total with the charging case

Price: £129 / €149 / $149 / HK$1,280

Availability: From October 2026 in black, white and blue

Class AB Amplification In A Pair Of Earbuds

The A100 SE uses miniature Class AB amplification inspired by the circuits in Cambridge Audio’s larger CX and EX HiFi amplifiers. An amplifier supplies the power that moves the tiny speaker driver inside each earbud. Class AB is a common amplifier design that balances sound quality with power efficiency.

Each earbud has a 10mm driver made with reclaimed neodymium magnets. Cambridge Audio says its dual-core Qualcomm digital signal processor, or DSP, helps reduce distortion and keep the sound controlled. A DSP is a small chip that processes audio before it reaches the drivers.

Dolby Audio And A Wider Presentation

The main addition is Dolby Audio, which can be switched on in the Melomania Connect app. It works with sound from a compatible phone, laptop, tablet, television or smartwatch.

Cambridge Audio says the processing is designed to make music and dialogue feel less confined inside the listener’s head. It may also help voices stand out more clearly in films and podcasts. This is a processing option rather than a new recording format, so listeners can turn it off if they prefer the original mix.

Lossless Bluetooth And Hi Res Playback

The earbuds support audio up to 24-bit/96kHz through compatible devices and apps. They also work with aptX Lossless, LDAC, AAC and SBC. These codecs are different ways of packaging digital audio for transmission over Bluetooth.

aptX Lossless and LDAC can carry more audio data than basic Bluetooth codecs when the source device also supports them and the wireless connection is strong enough. The active codec is shown in the Melomania Connect app. As always, a higher number on a specification sheet does not guarantee better sound on its own.

Noise Cancelling And Everyday Use

Adaptive Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation listens to outside sound and creates an opposing signal to reduce steady background noise. The level can be adjusted in the app. Transparency Mode does the opposite, letting more outside sound through when the listener needs to hear traffic, announcements or conversations.

Six microphones are used across the earbuds, including Qualcomm’s cVc system for voice calls. Multipoint Bluetooth allows the A100 SE to stay connected to two devices, such as a laptop and phone. An IPX5 rating means the earbuds are protected against water jets and should cope with sweat or rain, but they are not designed for swimming.

Battery Life And Charging

Cambridge Audio quotes up to 39 hours of listening time when the power stored in the charging case is included. Actual battery life will vary with volume, codec choice and whether noise cancelling is switched on.

The case supports wireless charging as well as USB-C. Fast USB-C charging is also included for shorter top-ups when there is not time for a full charge.

Control Through The Melomania Connect App

The free Melomania Connect app provides a seven-band equaliser, or EQ, so users can adjust different parts of the frequency range and save their own presets. It also controls the noise-cancelling level, Dolby Audio and the touch commands on each earbud.

Remapping the touch controls can be useful if the standard layout does not feel natural. For example, a listener may prefer volume control on one side and track controls on the other.

Recycled Materials And Colour Choices

Cambridge Audio says 50 per cent of the plastics used in the A100 SE are recycled. The earbuds also use reclaimed neodymium magnets in their drivers.

The Melomania A100 SE will be offered in black and white, alongside a new blue finish. The earbuds were designed and tuned at Cambridge Audio’s London headquarters and music venue.

Price And Availability

The Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 SE will be available from October 2026 through Cambridge Audio and approved retailers. The price is £129 in the UK, €149 in Europe, $149 in the United States and HK$1,280 in Hong Kong.

For more from Starting Out click here