Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 vs Cambridge Audio Melomania P100
Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 (#3, best premium) vs Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 (#5, best value): in our Over-ear Wireless Headphones for Music scoring the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 totals 8.5/10 and the Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 8.3/10.
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TopsFive comparison scores
Side by side
| Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 | Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $799 | $299 |
| Driver Size | 40mm carbon cone | 40mm biocellulose |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.4 with aptX Lossless | Bluetooth 5.3 with aptX Lossless |
| ANC | Adaptive noise cancellation | Hybrid active noise cancellation |
| Weight | 320g | 290g |
| Battery | 30 hours | ~100 hours (ANC off), ~60 hours (ANC on) |
How they differ in real use
Built from our over ear wireless scoring, each product's published specifications, and verified owner feedback — not hands-on testing.
Both the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 and the Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 made our Top 5 Over-ear Wireless Headphones for Music, at #3 (best premium) and #5 (best value). Premium build and sound quality with 24-bit/96kHz wireless audio via aptX Lossless. Luxury Nappa leather materials and replaceable pads make it the audiophile's wireless choice. Exceptional value with ~100 hour battery (ANC off) and lively, detailed music presentation. aptX Lossless Bluetooth delivers great performance without premium pricing.
We score over-ear wireless headphones for music on Sound Quality (30%), ANC Performance (25%), Comfort (20%), Battery Life (15%) and Value (10%). On that basis the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 totals 8.5 out of 10 and the Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 8.3. The widest gap is Value, where the Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 scores 9.5 against 6 for the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 — performance per dollar. Sound Quality also separates them: 9.5 for the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 versus 8.4 for the Cambridge Audio Melomania P100. The Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 claws back ground on Battery Life.
On paper, the specifications that actually differ: Driver Size — 40mm carbon cone on the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 versus 40mm biocellulose on the Cambridge Audio Melomania P100; Connectivity — Bluetooth 5.4 with aptX Lossless on the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 versus Bluetooth 5.3 with aptX Lossless on the Cambridge Audio Melomania P100; ANC — Adaptive noise cancellation on the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 versus Hybrid active noise cancellation on the Cambridge Audio Melomania P100; Weight — 320g on the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 versus 290g on the Cambridge Audio Melomania P100; Battery — 30 hours on the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 versus ~100 hours (ANC off), ~60 hours (ANC on) on the Cambridge Audio Melomania P100.
Pricing as of February 8, 2026: $799 for the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 and $299 for the Cambridge Audio Melomania P100, a $500 difference in the Cambridge Audio Melomania P100's favor. Owners praise the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 for 24-bit/96kHz wireless audio and aptX Adaptive & Lossless support; the most common complaint is very expensive at $799. Owners praise the Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 for ~100 hour battery (ANC off) and aptX Lossless Bluetooth; the most common complaint is ANC not as strong as premium competitors.
Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2
- 24-bit/96kHz wireless audio
- aptX Adaptive & Lossless support
- Premium Nappa leather build
- Replaceable pads and headband
- Very expensive at $799
- ANC not class-leading
- Heavy for a wireless headphone
Cambridge Audio Melomania P100
- ~100 hour battery (ANC off)
- aptX Lossless Bluetooth
- Engaging, detailed sound
- Exceptional value for performance
- ANC not as strong as premium competitors
- Build quality trails luxury options
- Less brand recognition
Which should you buy?
The Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 is the better fit for audiophiles wanting wireless and refined sound and craftsmanship seekers — it is the higher-scoring pick here, chiefly for Sound Quality and ANC Performance. The Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 is the better fit for music lovers seeking value and long-haul travelers, and the stronger choice if Value and Battery Life matter more to you than the overall score. If the $500 saving matters more than Value, the Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 is the better value. The Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 is a poor fit for budget shoppers; the Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 is a poor fit for ANC priority buyers.
Choose the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 if
- Audiophiles wanting wireless
- Refined sound and craftsmanship seekers
- Hi-res music listeners
Skip it if
- Budget shoppers
- Those prioritizing ANC over sound
Choose the Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 if
- Music lovers seeking value
- Long-haul travelers
- Those wanting great performance without premium pricing
Skip it if
- ANC priority buyers
- Those wanting ultra-premium build
Common questions
Is the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 better than the Cambridge Audio Melomania P100?
In our Over-ear Wireless Headphones for Music ranking the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 scores higher overall, 8.5 to 8.3, with the biggest advantage in Value. The Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 is stronger on Value and Battery Life, so it is the better pick if those matter most to you.
How much more does the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 cost than the Cambridge Audio Melomania P100?
$500 more as of February 8, 2026: $799 for the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 against $299 for the Cambridge Audio Melomania P100. Prices move, so the merchant page shows the current figure. What the extra buys is mostly Value — 9.5 versus 6 in our scoring.
What is the main difference between the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 and the Cambridge Audio Melomania P100?
The headline spec difference is Driver Size: 40mm carbon cone on the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 versus 40mm biocellulose on the Cambridge Audio Melomania P100. In use, the gap that matters most is Value (6 vs 9.5 in our scoring): performance per dollar.