Post
Cambridge Audio P100 SE Review: Is It Worth the Upgrade?A detailed comparison between the Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 SE and the original P100 headphones, covering comfort, features, sound quality, and value. The review highlights improvements in noise cancellation in the SE version but notes a potentially less desirable stock sound profile compared to the original P100. Ultimately, the reviewer finds the SE a worthwhile upgrade due to the improved noise cancellation.
The reviewer expresses initial expectations of the SE version being a clear upgrade but notes some interesting findings that aren't entirely positive.
The reviewer expresses initial expectations of the SE version being a clear upgrade but notes some interesting findings that aren't entirely positive.
1. 🎧 Introduction: P100 SE vs. P100 - Is the Upgrade Worth It?
- ✅ The video introduces an honest review and comparison of the Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 SE versus the original P100 headphones.
- ✅ The reviewer aims to determine if the SE version is worth the extra cost and how it compares to the original P100 in terms of performance.
- ✅ The reviewer mentions using a background in pro audio to create custom EQ settings for both headphones, accessible via a blog post linked below.
The reviewer expresses initial expectations of the SE version being a clear upgrade but notes some interesting findings that aren't entirely positive.
00:00 - 01:25
1. 🎧 Introduction: P100 SE vs. P100 - Is the Upgrade Worth It?
- ✅ The video introduces an honest review and comparison of the Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 SE versus the original P100 headphones.
- ✅ The reviewer aims to determine if the SE version is worth the extra cost and how it compares to the original P100 in terms of performance.
- ✅ The reviewer mentions using a background in pro audio to create custom EQ settings for both headphones, accessible via a blog post linked below.
The reviewer expresses initial expectations of the SE version being a clear upgrade but notes some interesting findings that aren't entirely positive.
01:26 - 03:36
2. 🪑 Comfort and Design: Headband Improvement and Key Features
- ✅ The design of the P100 SE is almost identical to the original P100, with minor differences in the headband feel and font color inside the earcup.
- ⚠️ The main marketing point for the SE is an improved headband for better comfort, but the reviewer finds the difference negligible in actual use.
- ✅ The earpad cushions are plush, and there's ample space inside the earcups, which remains unchanged from the original P100.
03:37 - 06:54
3. 🔋 Features, Build Quality, and Noise Cancelling Performance
- ✅ The build quality of the P100 SE is identical to the original, featuring premium materials like metal, fabric, and leather.
- ✅ Both models have impressive battery life (100 hours with noise cancelling off, 60 hours with it on) and a user-replaceable battery pack.
- ✅ A significant improvement in the SE version is the noise cancelling performance, which addresses a major weakness of the original P100. The SE filters more frequencies and has fewer artifacts.
06:55 - 14:20
4. 🎵 Sound Quality: Dynamic EQ and Stock Sound Profile Analysis
- ✅ The SE version features a dynamic EQ that adjusts bass and treble at different volumes, which the reviewer finds suitable for genres like rock but potentially overzealous for modern hip-hop and pop.
- ⚠️ The reviewer prefers the stock sound of the original P100 over the SE, noting that the SE's retuning makes it warmer with more bass, which can overpower other frequencies.
- ✅ The tonality changes with noise cancelling on versus off. The SE with noise cancelling off sounds similar to the original P100 with noise cancelling on.
- ✅ The hardware is the same, and the headphones respond well to EQ, allowing the SE to sound similar to the original P100 with adjustments.
14:21 - 18:41
5. 💰 Value and Alternatives: Is the P100 SE Worth the Extra Cost?
- ✅ The P100 is priced at $239, while the SE is just under $300. The improved noise cancelling in the SE version justifies the extra $60.
- ✅ Both headphones receive a perfect value score (5/5). The SE takes a slight lead with an overall score of 9.1/10 due to the improved noise cancelling, compared to the original P100's 8.9/10.
- ✅ Alternatives mentioned include the Nothing Headphone 1 and the Sennheiser Momentum 4, with the Nothing Headphone 1 being more consumer-friendly due to better bass.