Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 Truly Wireless Earbuds [Review]

The Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 are good true wireless headphones with an interesting earplug-like style. Their sound profile is adequate for fans of bass-heavy music genres, but vocals and lead instruments are lacking in detail. They aren’t the most comfortable in-ears we’ve tried, and some people can struggle to get them to fit at all, but if they do, they provide excellent passive isolation. Commuters will appreciate how well they minimize noise without leaking, and athletes will appreciate how robust they are and how water resistant they are with an IPX5 ranking.

Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 Earbuds, True Wireless Bluetooth 5.0, Hi-Fi Sound, in-Ear Stereo Earphones for iPhone and for Android, with Portable Charging Case (Black)

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as of April 25, 2024 1:36 am ⓘ

Features

• 50 YEARS OF GREAT BRITISH AUDIO IN EVERY PAIR – Melomania 1 delivers stunning audio quality from Cambridge Audio with advanced technology for superior performance in lightweight ear buds.
• UP TO 45 HOURS PLAYTIME - Up to 9 hours playback without recharging these Melomania ear buds. Case battery can fully recharge the earbuds 4 more times. 30 minutes to charge earbuds; 2 hours to charge the case via micro-USB (cable included).
• ADVANCED CONNECTIVITY - Melomania 1 connects with Bluetooth 5.0 technology. This true wireless headset has a superior connection with no drops in signal and a long reach with your device up to 90 feet. Supports A2DP, AVRCP, HSP, HFP.
• WIRELESS EAR BUDS FOR IPHONE, IPAD AND ANDROID – Easily pair with smartphones, tablets, or PCs. Voice Assistant Compatible with Siri (iOS) and Google Assistant (Android).
• POWERFUL PERFORMANCE IN A COMPACT PACKAGE – Each ear bud weighs just 4.6g. Carrying charging case weighs 37g. Case dimensions (closed) 2.3-inches x 2.0-inches x 0.9-inches.

Style

The Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 in-ear headphones are completely wireless, with an earplug-like shape that protrudes quite a bit from your ear. However, thanks to their polished semi-matte finish and metal accents, they’re still very stylish, particularly when compared to their event. Each earbud has a circular LED light that indicates the battery level and whether or not it is in pairing mode. They are available in either an all-black or an off-white stone style.

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Comfort

In terms of comfort, the Melomania wireless earbuds are adequate. They penetrate the ear canal quite deeply, which can be very painful for some people, particularly those who have trouble wearing earplugs. The earbuds aren’t too thick, so they don’t place too much pressure on the inside of the ear until they’re properly placed. However, if you have tiny ears, you can find them exhausting. On the plus side, they come with a pair of foam tips to try if the silicone tips don’t feel right, and the buttons are simple to use, so you don’t have to force them deeper into your ears while pausing or skipping tracks.

Controls

The controls on the Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 are adequate, particularly for truly wireless earbuds. On each earbud, there is a physical button that can be pressed to register regular call/music commands as well as volume controls. The buttons are clicky and give strong tactile feedback, but since they cover the top of each earbud, it’s possible to unintentionally press them while inserting or removing them from their case or your ears.

Portability

The Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 are fully wireless earbuds that are extremely compact. Their earplug-like shape takes up very little room, and their case is also very small, making them easy to stow in your pockets while you’re on the go. Since the earbuds are so thin, getting a good grip on them when taking them out of their case or placing them in your ears can be difficult, but this isn’t a problem for everybody.

Case

Melomania True Wireless comes with a fantastic hard charging case. It’s tiny and looks identical to the Anker SoundCore Liberty Air’s example. It also features a magnetic lid and a battery status LED indicator. The lid is more stable than the Liberty Air’s, but it’s still simple to open. Like the earbuds, the case is fairly sturdy and has an IPX5 value for water spray protection. While we haven’t checked water resistance internally, the case will help protect the earbuds from scratches and light damage when in your pockets or bag.

Build Quality

The Melomania 1 appears to be well-made. They’re scored IPX5 for water resistance, but we haven’t put that to the test yet. They have a semi-matte finish that gives them a premium appearance, but they still have a plasticky feel to them. However, the earbuds’ plastic is very thick, and they feel sturdy and durable, while the case feels a little flimsy.

Stability

The Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 has a high level of consistency. Their earplug-like nature stays securely in place even through more aggressive movements until you’ve found the right match. However, if you have trouble getting them to fit correctly, they will most likely fall out. Their wireless style, on the other hand, eliminates the need for a cord, which might have yanked the headphones out of your ears.

Noise Cancellation

The Melomania 1 has excellent noise isolation capabilities. They don’t have direct noise cancellation, but they do block a lot of ambient noise passively. They isolate noises in the bass range, such as the low rumble of bus or plane engines, by around 14 dB, which is very strong, but they have a weak spot around the 200Hz level, like most passively isolating in-ears. They isolate by around 23dB in the mid-range, which includes ambient chatter, which is excellent. Finally, they isolate sounds made by A/C systems or sibilants such as S and T sounds in the treble range by over 54dB, effectively making them inaudible.

Battery

The Melomania 1 has a battery life of just over 6 hours on a single charge, which is good for truly wireless in-ears. This is, however, significantly less than the advertised 9 hours. Since the case is expected to have four additional charges, the extra battery life will most likely be about 24 hours rather than the advertised 36 hours, which is disappointing. However, you can use one earbud while the other charges, which is convenient if you don’t mind listening to music in just one ear.

Bluetooth

Bluetooth is assisted by these fully wireless in-ears. If your audio source supports Bluetooth 5.0, you can find better wireless range or latency results than what we measured here, despite the fact that they don’t support NFC or multi-device pairing.

Regrettably, the Melomania 1 has a low latency. Most Bluetooth headphones have a delay of 200-220 milliseconds, so 347 milliseconds is far above average. Even with aptX switched on, 319 milliseconds is still a very slow response time. If you use these earbuds to watch videos or play mobile games, you’ll find a considerable amount of audio delay. However, some devices and apps seem to compensate for latency, so it may not be as noticeable to you, especially if your audio source supports Bluetooth 5.0.

Pros and Cons

Verdicts

The Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 is suitable for a variety of applications. Their sound quality isn’t perfect, but bass-heavy music fans should be satisfied. Their earplug-like shape blocks out a lot of noise, making them ideal for commuting. However, their fit might not be comfortable for everyone, so they’re better for shorter trips. However, if you can get a good fit, they’re perfect for sports. However, due to their low latency, they’re a bad option for watching TV and gaming, as you’ll find a delay between what you see and what you hear.

It’s ideal for commuting. These genuinely wireless in-ears go very far into the ear canal, so they passively filter out a lot of noise. They also barely leak any sound, allowing you to increase your listening volume without disturbing your fellow commuters. Unfortunately, their earplug-like fit can be uncomfortable for certain people and isn’t designed for extended use, so they’re better for the shorter bus or train trips.