Cambridge Audio Melomania 1+ True Wireless  Headphones Review

Reviewed Aug 05, 2021 at 10:53am
Retest Sep 03, 2021 at 01:31pm
Tested using Methodology v1.5 
Cambridge Audio Melomania 1+ True Wireless

Track

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Neutral Sound 
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Commute/Travel 
0.0
Sports/Fitness 
0.0
Office 
0.0
Wireless Gaming 
0.0
Wired Gaming 
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Phone Calls 

Track

 0

The Cambridge Audio Melomania 1+ True Wireless are the next generation of the Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 Truly Wireless. Improving on their predecessor, these in-ears have a companion app with a graphic EQ and presets if you wish to adjust their bass-heavy default sound profile. They also come with a lot more silicone and foam ear tips to help you get the best fit, and their charging case now uses a USB-C port instead of a micro-USB. On the downside, their battery performance falls short of their advertised claims, and their mic has a sub-par recording quality. 

Our Verdict

0.0
Neutral Sound 

The Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 Plus are okay for neutral sound. Their default sound profile is very bass-heavy, which adds extra thump, rumble, and boom to your mixes. If you prefer a more neutral sound, their companion app has a graphic EQ and presets so that you can adjust their sound to your liking. On the downside, their passive soundstage seems like it's coming from inside your head, rather than from speakers placed in the room around you. However, this is to be expected from in-ears.

Pros
  • Well-built design.
  • Graphic EQ and presets available.
Cons
  • Sub-par battery performance.
  • Bad passive soundstage.
0.0
Commute/Travel 

The Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 Plus are good for commute and travel. These in-ears have a very portable design and come with a variety of different ear tips to help you get the best possible fit. They also have a breathable fit and don't leak much audio at high volumes. However, their 4.6-hour continuous battery life on 'High Performance' mode may not be enough to get you through long trips. Luckily, you can switch to 'Low Power' mode via the app, which lasts roughly eight hours.

Pros
  • Well-built design.
  • Stable and very breathable fit.
  • Low leakage at high volumes.
Cons
  • Sub-par battery performance.
0.0
Sports/Fitness 

The Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 Plus are great for sports and fitness. They're well-built and are rated IPX5 for water resistance, although we don't currently test for it. They also have a stable, lightweight, and breathable fit. That said, while they have a fairly comfortable fit, their earplug-like design sticks out of your ear and could get snagged on clothing.

Pros
  • IPX5 for water resistance.
  • Well-built design.
  • Stable and very breathable fit.
Cons
  • Sub-par battery performance.
0.0
Office 

The Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 Plus are fair for office use. These in-ears have a breathable design and don't leak a lot of audio at high volumes, so you shouldn't bother others around you. However, their 4.6-hour continuous battery life may not get you through your day without pausing to recharge them. Registering commands can also put pressure on your ear, which could become uncomfortable over time. On the upside, they're able to passively block out ambient chatter so that you can focus on your work.

Pros
  • Well-built design.
  • Low leakage at high volumes.
Cons
  • Sub-par battery performance.
  • No multi-device pairing.
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Wireless Gaming 

The Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 Plus aren't recommended for wireless gaming. While you can connect them to a Bluetooth-enabled PC, the latency is likely to be too high for gaming. They also aren't compatible with Xbox or PlayStation consoles.

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Wired Gaming 

The Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 Plus are Bluetooth-only headphones that can't be used on a wired connection.

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Phone Calls 

The Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 Plus are passable for phone calls. The mic has a sub-par recording quality, and your voice sounds thin, muffled, and lacking body. If you're talking in a moderately noisy environment, your voice may also be slightly drowned out by ambient sound, which can make it more difficult to hear you. On the upside, although they don't have active noise cancelling, they're able to passively isolate you from a decent amount of ambient noise.

Pros
  • Well-built design.
  • Stable and very breathable fit.
Cons
  • Middling recording quality.
  • No multi-device pairing.
  • 0.0
    Neutral Sound
  • 0.0
    Commute/Travel
  • 0.0
    Sports/Fitness
  • 0.0
    Office
  • 0.0
    Wireless Gaming
  • 0.0
    Wired Gaming
  • 0.0
    Phone Calls
  • Changelog

    1.  Updated Sep 03, 2021: Retested 'Noise Cancelling' and 'Noise Isolation'.
    2.  Updated Aug 05, 2021: Review published.
    3.  Updated Aug 03, 2021: Early access published.
    4.  Updated Jun 30, 2021: Our testers have started testing this product.

    Check Price

    Differences Between Sizes And Variants

    The Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 Plus come in two color variants: 'Black' and 'White'. We tested the Black variant and you can see our model's label here. If you come across another variant of these headphones, please let us know in the discussion section below. 

    Popular Headphones Comparisons

    The Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 Plus are the next generation of the Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 Truly Wireless. Compared to their predecessor, they have a companion app with a graphic EQ and presets, their carrying case charges via USB-C instead of micro-USB, and they come with a lot more ear tips. However, their performance is otherwise fairly nondescript and they don't stand out from the crowd, especially as their battery life falls short of other in-ears like the Jabra Elite 75t Truly Wireless.

    Check out our recommendations for the best truly wireless earbuds, the best earbuds and in-ear headphones, and the best sounding wireless earbuds

    Sony WF-1000XM4 Truly Wireless

    Track

    The Sony WF-1000XM4 Truly Wireless are better in-ears than the Cambridge Audio Melomania 1+ True Wireless. The Sony are more comfortable, feel better-built, and can block out more ambient noise around you. Their battery performance is significantly better than the Cambridge Audio. However, the Cambridge Audio leak less audio.

    Apple AirPods Pro

    Track

    The Apple AirPods Pro are better headphones than the Cambridge Audio Melomania 1+ True Wireless. The Apple are more comfortable, feel better built, and have a more neutral default sound profile, which some users may prefer. They also have active noise cancelling, which helps isolate you from a great amount of ambient noise, and significantly better battery performance, and they have an H1 chip so that you can seamlessly pair them with your Apple devices. However, the Cambridge Audio have a companion app with a graphic EQ and presets. 

    Samsung Galaxy Buds+

    Track

    The Samsung Galaxy Buds+ are better headphones than the Cambridge Audio Melomania 1+ True Wireless. The Samsung are more comfortable, have a more neutral default sound profile, which some users may prefer, and their integrated mic offers a better overall performance. They also have a significantly better battery performance. However, the Cambridge Audio have a graphic EQ to help you adjust their sound and they have a better noise isolation performance. 

    Jabra Elite 85t Truly Wireless

    Track

    The Jabra Elite 85t Truly Wireless are better in-ears than the Cambridge Audio Melomania 1+ True Wireless. The Jabra are more comfortable, feel better-built, and have a more neutral default sound profile, which some users may prefer. Their battery performance is better, and you can pair them with up to two devices at a time. They also have active noise cancelling, although their noise isolation performance is similar to the Cambridge Audio's passive isolation capabilities.

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    Test Results

    perceptual testing image
    Sort:
    RATINGS
    Category:
    All
    Design
    Style
    TypeLockedIn-ear
    EnclosureLockedClosed-Back
    WirelessLockedTruly Wireless
    TransducerLockedDynamic

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    0.0
    Comfort
    WeightLockedLock lbs
    Clamping Force
    LockedLock lbs

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    0.0
    Controls
    OS Compatibility
    LockedLocked
    Ease Of UseLockedLocked
    FeedbackLockedLocked
    Call/Music ControlLockedLocked
    Volume ControlLockedLocked
    Microphone ControlLockedLocked
    Channel Mixing
    LockedLocked
    Noise Cancelling ControlLockedLocked
    Talk-Through
    LockedLocked
    Additional ControlsLockedLocked

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    0.0
    Breathability
    Avg.Temp.DifferenceLockedLock °C

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    0.0
    Portability
    LLockedLock" (Lock cm)
    WLockedLock" (Lock cm)
    HLockedLock" (Lock cm)
    VolumeLockedLock in³ (Lock cm³)
    Transmitter RequiredLockedLocked

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    0.0
    Case
    TypeLockedLocked
    LLockedLock" (Lock cm)
    WLockedLock" (Lock cm)
    HLockedLock" (Lock cm)
    VolumeLockedLock in³ (Lock cm³)

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    0.0
    Build Quality

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    0.0
    Stability

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    Headshots 1
    Headshots 2
    Top
    In The Box

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    Sound
    Sound Profile
    Bass Amount
    LockedLock dB
    Treble Amount
    LockedLock dB

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    0.0
    Frequency Response Consistency
    Avg. Std. Deviation
    LockedLock dB

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    Raw Frequency Response
    0.0
    Bass Accuracy
    Std. Err.
    LockedLock dB
    Low-Frequency Extension
    LockedLock Hz
    Low-Bass
    LockedLock dB
    Mid-Bass
    LockedLock dB
    High-Bass
    LockedLock dB

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    0.0
    Mid Accuracy
    Std. Err.
    LockedLock dB
    Low-Mid
    LockedLock dB
    Mid-Mid
    LockedLock dB
    High-Mid
    LockedLock dB

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    0.0
    Treble Accuracy
    Std. Err.
    LockedLock dB
    Low-Treble
    LockedLock dB
    Mid-Treble
    LockedLock dB
    High-Treble
    LockedLock dB

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    0.0
    Peaks/Dips
    Peaks
    LockedLock dB
    Dips
    LockedLock dB

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    0.0
    Imaging
    Weighted Group Delay
    LockedLock
    Weighted Phase Mismatch
    LockedLock
    Weighted Amplitude Mismatch
    LockedLock
    Weighted Frequency Mismatch
    LockedLock

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    0.0
    Passive Soundstage
    PRTF Accuracy (Std. Dev.)
    LockedN/A
    PRTF Size (Avg.)
    LockedN/A
    PRTF Distance
    LockedN/A
    Openness
    Locked
    0.0
    Acoustic Space Excitation
    Locked
    0.0

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    0.0
    Virtual Soundstage
    Head Modeling
    LockedLocked
    Speaker Modeling
    LockedLocked
    Room Ambience
    LockedLocked
    Head Tracking
    LockedLocked
    Virtual Surround
    LockedLocked
    0.0
    Weighted Harmonic Distortion
    WHD @ 90
    LockedLock
    WHD @ 100
    LockedLock

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    Test Settings
    Firmware
    LockedLocked
    Power
    LockedLocked
    Connection
    LockedLocked
    Codec
    LockedLocked
    EQ
    LockedLocked
    ANC
    LockedLocked
    Tip/Pad
    LockedLocked
    Microphone
    LockedLocked

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    Isolation
    0.0
    Noise Isolation
    Isolation Audio
    JOIN NOWto hear audio samples
    Overall Attenuation
    LockedLock dB
    Noise CancellingLockedNo
    Bass
    LockedLock dB
    Mid
    LockedLock dB
    Treble
    LockedLock dB

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    0.0
    Leakage
    Leakage Audio
    JOIN NOWto hear audio samples
    Overall Leakage @ 1ft
    LockedLock dB

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    Microphone
    Microphone Style
    Integrated
    LockedLocked
    In-Line
    LockedLocked
    Boom
    LockedLocked
    Detachable Boom
    LockedLocked
    MicLockedYes
    0.0
    Recording Quality
    Recorded Speech
    JOIN NOWto hear audio samples
    LFE
    LockedLock Hz
    FR Std. Dev.
    LockedLock dB
    HFE
    LockedLock Hz
    Weighted THD
    LockedLock
    Gain
    LockedLock dB

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    0.0
    Noise Handling
    SpNR
    LockedLock dB
    Noise Gate
    LockedLocked
    Speech + Pink Noise Handling
    Locked
    0.0
    Speech + Pink Noise Audio Sample
    JOIN NOWto hear audio samples
    Speech + Subway Noise Handling
    Locked
    0.0
    Speech + Subway Noise Audio Sample
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    Active Features
    0.0
    Battery
    Battery Type
    LockedLocked
    Continuous Battery Life
    LockedLock hrs
    Additional Charges
    LockedLock
    Total Battery Life
    LockedLock hrs
    Charge Time
    LockedLock hrs
    Power-Saving Feature
    LockedLocked
    Audio While Charging
    LockedLocked
    Passive Playback
    LockedLocked
    Charging PortLockedLocked

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    0.0
    App Support
    App NameLockedLocked
    iOSLockedLocked
    AndroidLockedLocked
    macOSLockedLocked
    WindowsLockedLocked
    Equalizer
    LockedLocked
    ANC Control
    LockedLocked
    Mic ControlLockedLocked
    Room Effects
    LockedLocked
    Playback Control
    LockedLocked
    Button MappingLockedLocked
    Surround Support
    LockedLocked

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    Connectivity
    0.0
    Bluetooth
    Bluetooth Version
    LockedLocked
    Multi-Device Pairing
    LockedLocked
    NFC Pairing
    LockedLocked
    Line Of Sight Range
    LockedLock ft (Lock m)
    PC Latency (SBC)
    LockedLock ms
    PC Latency (aptX)
    LockedLock ms
    PC Latency (aptX HD)
    LockedN/A
    PC Latency (aptX-LL)
    LockedN/A
    iOS Latency
    LockedLock ms
    Android Latency
    LockedLock ms

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    0.0
    Non-Bluetooth Wireless
    Non-BT Line Of Sight Range
    LockedN/A
    Non-BT Latency
    LockedN/A
    0.0
    Wired
    Analog Audio
    LockedLocked
    USB Audio
    LockedLocked
    DetachableLockedLocked
    LengthLockedN/A
    Connection
    LockedLocked
    Analog/USB Audio Latency
    LockedN/A

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    PC Compatibility
    Analog
    LockedLocked
    Wired USB
    LockedLocked
    Non-BT Wireless
    LockedLocked

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    PlayStation Compatibility
    PS4 Analog
    LockedLocked
    PS4 Wired USB
    LockedLocked
    PS4 Non-BT Wireless
    LockedLocked
    PS5 Analog
    LockedLocked
    PS5 Wired USB
    LockedLocked
    PS5 Non-BT Wireless
    LockedLocked
    Xbox Compatibility
    Xbox One Analog
    LockedLocked
    Xbox One Wired USB
    LockedLocked
    Xbox One Non-BT Wireless
    LockedLocked
    Xbox Series X|S Analog
    LockedLocked
    Xbox Series X|S Wired USB
    LockedLocked
    Xbox Series X|S Non-BT Wireless
    LockedLocked
    0.0
    Base/Dock
    Type
    LockedLocked
    USB Input
    LockedLocked
    Line In
    LockedLocked
    Line Out
    LockedLocked
    Optical Input
    LockedLocked
    RCA Input
    LockedLocked
    Dock Charging
    LockedLocked
    Power Supply
    LockedLocked

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