Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 Plus review

With superior audio performance, a helpful app, and simple controls, the Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 Plus is a definite improvement over its forerunners.

Quick Summary

We love them even more now that they have a convenient app, simple controls, and a good connection. The only real negative is that there is no active noise reduction. We really doubt you’ll miss it, though, given how great these inexpensive headphones sound.

Cambridge Audio used to just create hi-fi systems and amplifiers, but the British brand has recently ventured into the area of genuinely wireless earbuds. Its debut product, the Melomania 1, has excellent sound quality and is among the best wireless earbuds available.

However, the new Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 Plus is an excellent update. It has a better sound, lasts longer, and is simpler to use than many other earbuds. Cambridge Audio was originally associated with only hi-fi systems and amplifiers, but in recent years, the British manufacturer has expanded into the field of truly wireless earbuds.

While the design of the Melomania 1 Plus hasn’t deviated too much from its predecessors, there has been a clear step up in terms of the audio performance, with levels of detail and clarity that could rival some of the best over-ear headphones as well as the best wireless headphones currently available.

Features of the Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 Plus

Pairing is easy if you follow the handy fast start guidelines. Only one earpiece needs to be connected to your smartphone; the second bud, labeled “Handset,” will only ever need to look for a connection once. Throughout our testing, the connection between both units and our device has been safe and reliable.

The biggest enhancement in this new edition is probably the support for the free Melomania app, which is now much more reliable than it was in the prior version. With it, you can check the battery life of each earbud, locate misplaced earbuds on a map, tune the EQ yourself or choose from six presets, and download firmware upgrades.

Here, the touch controls are activated by pressing the spherical button on each bud, which we found to be straightforward and useful. Easy and effective Holding down the right one increases the volume, while doing the opposite with the left. On our iPhone, three taps of the right bud activate Siri; it should be noted, however, that they can also access the Google Assistant. Playing is started or stopped with a single touch of each earpiece. Two presses advance or reverse a song.

Since these controls are so reliable, we seldom ever use our iPhones to test them while they are in motion. That should be evident, but our tests of similar earbuds at this price point have shown us that isn’t always the case.

Cambridge has advised users to position the earpieces such that the recessed circle inside the circular top surface of the driver housing is at its lowest point in order to maximize the performance of the MEMS mic in each bud. We can create crystal-clear phone calls by doing this.

The good news is that when low power mode is activated, you’ll get performance that’s on par with the originals.

The audio quality of the Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 Plus

• Superior sound
• Variable EQ
• Mode High Performance
• Detailed and rich audio performance
• Presets and custom EQ choices
• Effective controls

The Melomania 1 Plus delivers rich, detailed music in this mode that rival earphones priced at £100 simply cannot match. You may further personalize your listening experience with the Melomania 1 Plus to make it even better. The Melomania 1 Plus earphones are as close to audiophile earbuds as you’ll find for this price, but if they were more comfortable, the experience would be much better.

The Cambridge Melomania 1 Plus is kind of a unicorn when it comes to completely wireless headphones that aren’t too expensive. Instead of attempting to set themselves apart from the competition by having a feature list as long as your arm, they prioritize sound quality above all other aspects of the product.

Active noise cancellation and transparency modes are absent, the buds do not immediately cease playing when taken out of the ear, the case does not support wireless charging, and the case does not pause the audio when taken out of the ear automatically. They do, however, offer a “High Performance” audio option that offers a reduced battery life but a wider dynamic range and soundstage. Only a few models come with this mode.

Outstanding audio performance

If you want to listen to your music with the best sound quality possible, the Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 Plus is a great option for you. These earbuds have a great amount of energy and character in addition to a lively presentation that will have you tapping your feet. They include strong drivers measuring 5.8 millimeters in diameter.

The pounding synths and romantic strings, together with the baritone vocal melody, work nicely together to achieve a perfect balance over all of the frequencies. The percussion and meandering bass guitar seem aggressive and controlled when the chorus starts, and the harmonized voices are pristine and beautiful.

The Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 Plus follows in the footsteps of some truly remarkable headphones, but its improved precision and fidelity suggest it may be a step up from its forebears. Listening to “Normal Song” by Perfume Genius, in which his unsteady voice is complemented by a slowly swaying guitar, is an awe-inspiring experience because of the earbuds’ ability to bring out every nuance.

The program’s equalization controls can be adjusted manually or you can choose from several presets. There are also two amplification settings to choose from: High Performance, which uses “hi-fi quality” amplification, and Low Power, which is ideal for when you need to conserve battery life.

However, if the provided ear tips are utilized to create a tight seal, this gadget does an excellent job of blocking out ambient sounds even though it does not feature noise cancellation. The music was loud enough that we couldn’t hear most of what was going on around us.

Battery life of the Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 Plus

• Total battery life of 45 hours 

The earphones that come with the Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 Plus have a battery life of up to nine hours, and the carrying case can recharge the earbuds an extra four times. This yields a 45-hour overall battery life, but you must first switch to the Low Power mode to get there.

The earbuds have a seven-hour battery life when used in High-Performance mode, which is the default setting. When used with the charging case, that battery life increases to 35 hours.

Design of the Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 Plus

• Similar to the previous model’s style
• Buttons for actual controls
• Extraordinarily light

The Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 Plus’s craftsmanship and comfort

Our sample of the Melomania 1 Plus charging case has a matte, sleek white and black surface. This model significantly outperforms its predecessor. It ensures that fingerprint smudges will no longer gather on the precisely proportioned case and has a pebble-like look and cool, tactile feel.

The five-strong row of LEDs that show how much battery life is left is located right below the clever flip-top cover. Each earpiece now has electric blue lettering in place of the white letters that were previously etched on them with the letters “L” and “R.” Additionally, a USB-C port for quick charging is now available.

Although extra ear tips were supposed to ensure a snug fit, Cambridge has doubled up on its customary small, medium, and large offers instead, so you now get two pairs of each rather than just one of each. This indicates that all sizes—small, medium, and large—are offered.

Additionally, there are two sets of medium and big memory foam options available, but oddly, there is no option available in the size of little. Additionally, the regular tips are white but the memory foam tips are only available in black, which significantly detracts from the product’s all-white aesthetic.

In terms of construction, the bullet-shaped buds are almost identical to the Melomania 1. Each earbud has a 5.8mm graphene-enhanced driver, weighs the same 4.6g, is IPX5 certified against sweat and rain, and has a Bluetooth 5.0 connection with aptX and AAC codec compatibility.

Comfortable yet robust enough for life

The only aesthetic distinctions between the Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 Plus and its predecessors are a flip-top charging case and bullet-shaped earbuds. The flip-top charging case seems a touch more streamlined than its predecessor did and now has a matte appearance. Black or white versions of the Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 Plus are available.

On the front of the charging case is a row of five LEDs that indicate how much battery life is left, and on the left side of the case is a USB-C charging port.

Additionally, each earbud has a number of tiny LEDs on the outside that let you know how well the gadget is pairing. The flat outer housings act as physical control buttons and allow you to change the music playing, adjust the volume, manage calls, and activate your device’s voice assistant. You will need to memorize a few different button presses, however Cambridge Audio offers a small card in the packing with every conceivable combination that you can keep in your pocket or handbag just in case.

The 4.6g weight of each earbud makes them feel so comfortable and light in the ear that you might not even notice they are there. To fit your style, the earphones are available in a variety of hues and designs. The memory foam eartips are only offered in big and medium sizes, it should be mentioned. A choice of silicone and memory foam eartips are included in the bundle. It is disappointing that there isn’t a more compact option, as a good seal against the ear canal and greater noise isolation depend on a correct fit.

We wouldn’t suggest wearing the Melomania 1 Plus while working out because, despite having an IPX4 water-resistance rating, which means it can handle a little sweat or rain. Due to the chance that they could become dislodged, we simply believe that the architecture of the buds does not support vigorous exercise. This doesn’t necessary mean that the buds should be condemned.

However, we are happy to see that Cambridge Audio has mostly kept the style of its original true wireless earbuds. We don’t encounter the shape of a bullet very frequently. The Melomania 1 Plus may differentiate itself from the crowd of AirPods-style earbuds while still preserving its status as an extremely lightweight headphone alternative because they don’t have any bulky ear stems, fins, or wings. In fact, this makes it possible for the Melomania 1 Plus to do so.

Is it worth it to buy the Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 Plus?

What do you get for your money with the Cambridge Melomania 1 Plus? that is the question.

In addition to Bluetooth 5.0 wireless communication, the earbuds support the SBC, AAC, and aptX codecs. They come in either black or white. The free Melomania app, which is available from the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store, controls the codec-switching process.
One of the broadest selections of ear tips I’ve ever seen in a single kit is what is offered. Nine sets are yours after making this purchase. Included are two sets of silicone tips in small, medium, and large sizes as well as matching foam tips in small, medium, and large sizes. With the aid of a USB-A to USB-C connector, the charging case that is included can be powered up.

The Melomania 1 Plus features a case of 50 x 22 x 59 mm (WDH), and when using the High-Performance mode, it can store up to 28 hours of listening time. The combined total is somewhere between 35 hours when the seven hours of the content generated by the buds themselves are added to the other thirty-four to forty hours of useable time. If you are ready to give up some earbud audio quality in return for longer battery life, switching to Low Power mode may help you get about two more hours of use out of the headphones, bringing the total to 45 hours. Due to variables including your particular listening preferences and volume levels, your actual distance may differ from these estimations.

The carrying case and the earphones themselves can endure light rain and perspiration from hard exercise thanks to the IPX5 classification for water resistance.

You may buy

• You desire top-notch sound.
• You enjoy modifying the EQ settings.
• You’re seeking small earphones.

Thanks to a presentation that is well-balanced and detailed, these headphones sound even better than their forerunners. The fact that they support high-resolution audio codecs is just the cherry on top.

The Melomania app makes it simple to modify the equalization settings of the Melomania 1 Plus, even though we think the sound produced by the default parameters of the Melomania 1 Plus is the most well-balanced.

Compared to other models, like the Apple AirPods, these earbuds feature a more compact frame and are made of lighter materials. They also have a highly streamlined style.

Don’t buy if…

• Active noise cancellation is required.
• You have a limited budget.
• You enjoy touchscreen interfaces

It is recommended that you look at models such as the Sony WF-1000XM4 or 1000XM5 in order to get the desired level of noise isolation from the ear tips.

These earphones are neither the most expensive ones on the market, nor are they the most affordable ones. Check out the other option if you want to get excellent sound quality at a more affordable price.

Because the Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 Plus has physical buttons, you won’t be able to swipe through your playlists with it. If you prefer that method, you’ll need to hunt for another product.