Cambridge Audio L/R X review: can 800 watts change the standards for wireless speakers?

With the Cambridge Audio L/R X speakers, the British manufacturer is taking on the top players in the active stereo speaker market for the first time. Facing off against the must-have KEF LS50 Wireless and Klipsch The Sevens II, as well as the many all-in-one solutions designed to replace a traditional hi-fi system, Cambridge Audio offers a unique approach: 800 watts of amplification, an innovative five-driver acoustic design—including two woofers— a brand-new 28 mm Torus tweeter, the StreamMagic Gen 4 platform, and a wide range of connectivity options to combine a TV, turntable, computer, and digital sources in a single system. Priced at €1,999 per pair, do these new Cambridge Audio L/R X speakers have what it takes to compete with the established competition?

Presentation

A line of three speakers

While Cambridge Audio is primarily known for its amplifiers, CD players, and network players, the British manufacturer already has extensive experience in speaker design. It made a name for itself with the Aero line, notably the Aero 6, which featured an innovative design centered around a BMR driver offering very wide sound dispersion. The brand has also explored more compact formats with the Minx series—which is also based on BMR technology—and then ventured into the world of wireless speakers with the Yoyo, available notably as a true Bluetooth stereo pair.

With the new L/R series, however, Cambridge Audio is taking a much more ambitious step forward. The brand has long been a leader in amplification and streaming thanks to its wide range of electronic devices, but combining these areas of expertise with such sophisticated acoustic design in a pair of active stereo speakers is a real challenge. The range consists of the Cambridge L/R S, L/R M, and L/R X, designed for various setups centered around a computer, a TV, or a full hi-fi system. The L/R X models represent the pinnacle of the lineup, with 2 x 400 W of amplification, a specified frequency response of 35 Hz to 24 kHz, and a five-driver configuration per speaker designed to fill even the largest rooms with sound.

A modern and colorful design

The Cambridge Audio L/R X connected speakers feature a style consistent with the rest of the series, with a very modern design and bold colors that stand in contrast to the brand’s traditional electronics, with the exception of the recent Cambridge Evo lineup. Designed in London by Ged Martin, who also created the Evo and Edge ranges, they combine clean lines with an elegant base that gives the impression the speaker is floating. This base also serves an acoustic purpose, as it allows the second woofer—located beneath the cabinet—to breathe. An LED light strip integrated under the speaker further accentuates this levitation effect. Its brightness and color temperature can be adjusted in the StreamMagic app, or even turned off completely to avoid any distraction during home theater use.

Measuring approximately 20 cm wide by 33 cm high, the Cambridge Audio L/R X speakers remain relatively compact for models featuring no fewer than five drivers. They are best used with sufficient space around them to allow the passive radiators to operate effectively. It is therefore difficult to install them in a bookcase. To ensure they blend into any interior, Cambridge offers these speakers in six colors, ranging from trendy shades like orange, blue, or green, which make them true decorative elements, to more classic options like black, white, and dark wood (walnut).

The various panels are assembled with surgical precision; everything appears to be carved from a single block. The passive radiators positioned on the sides are covered by a component machined from the same block as the cabinet, giving them the same finish as the rest of the speaker and ensuring they blend in perfectly. On the front panel, the wide waveguide surrounding the gold-plated tweeter is the true centerpiece of the design, contributing as much to the product’s acoustic signature as to its aesthetic identity. On top, a backlit physical interface allows you to control essential functions without using the app: power on, standby, play, and volume control are immediately accessible at your fingertips.

For added convenience, Cambridge Audio also includes a Bluetooth remote control that works from any direction and doesn’t have to be pointed directly at the speakers. In particular, it allows you to put the system in standby mode and wake it up, mute the sound, adjust the display brightness (three levels: bright, dim, or off), control the volume, navigate between tracks, and play/pause.

It also provides access to equalizer presets (Normal, Movie, and Game, with additional presets available via the StreamMagic app), source selection (Bluetooth, USB, TV, optical, auxiliary, or phono), and three custom buttons for quickly launching or saving favorite sources. Of course, the system can be further controlled using the StreamMagic app, which centralizes all of the system’s settings and streaming functions.

28 mm Torus tweeter

The Cambridge Audio L/R X speakers feature a Torus tweeter developed specifically by the brand for this series. It features a 28 mm gold-coloured aluminium dome, which has an emissive surface area approximately 25 per cent larger than that of standard 25 mm models. This increase allows more air to be moved, resulting in greater dynamics, reduced distortion at high volumes due to less strain on the diaphragm, and improved transient response.

In addition, the dome of this tweeter features a dual-radius geometry and is supported by a specially designed rear chamber, which absorbs and controls the energy generated behind the cone. This design helps limit unwanted resonances, improves the smoothness of the dome’s movement, and ensures a cleaner reproduction in the upper part of the frequency spectrum. On the front of the speaker, the tweeter is paired with a large waveguide, which serves to broaden the sound dispersion. It widens and evens out the listening area, maintaining a stable stereo image even when the listener is not perfectly centered between the speakers. This is a real advantage when several people are seated in different parts of the room, whether listening to music or watching TV. Out of the box, however, the Cambridge Audio L/R X speaker sounds a bit bright; a slight adjustment via the mobile app was necessary to soften this frequency range.

Four drivers for bass

Each Cambridge Audio L/R X speaker also features two 5″ long-throw midbass drivers. The first is positioned conventionally on the front panel, while the second is angled downward and radiates sound through the space created by the floating base.

This configuration is complemented by two 6″ passive radiators, positioned on the sides of the cabinet. They operate in opposition to limit the vibrations transmitted to the cabinet while significantly increasing the surface area in motion during bass reproduction. Cambridge therefore claims a frequency response extending down to 35 Hz at ±3 dB, a particularly impressive figure for a speaker of this size.

On paper, this design allows the Cambridge Audio L/R X to match the performance of some small floorstanding speakers, with particularly impressive low-end presence for their size and greater impact than bookshelf speakers equipped with a 7.8″ driver. However, this design can tend to be a bit over-the-top, with bass that can quickly become overwhelming depending on the room and speaker placement. This is where the StreamMagic app really comes into its own, offering several tools to rein in the bass and fine-tune the sound reproduction to suit the room’s acoustics.

Total power: 800 W

To power all of these drivers, the British manufacturer has included generous amplification. The Cambridge Audio L/R X models deliver 400 W of class D power per speaker, or 800 W per pair. Active management allows the manufacturer to precisely tailor the amplification and crossover settings to the drivers used, without relying on the variables of an external amplifier.

The filtering is fully digital and relies on 64-bit DSP processing. This ensures that the signal is distributed among the various drivers, while also controlling their excursion and protecting the system when the volume level becomes unreasonably high.

To optimize low-level balance, this system is complemented by DynamEQ technology. Modelled on the physiological principle of loudness, it gradually adjusts the sound reproduction to maintain richness in the bass and clarity in the high frequencies, particularly as the volume decreases and our ears naturally become less sensitive to frequencies at the extremes of the spectrum. The intensity of this correction can be adjusted in the StreamMagic app for iOS and Android.

This same app also offers numerous settings to tailor the speakers to the room. The system allows you to enter the room’s size and the speaker placement, then apply compensation based on how absorbent the environment is. However, this is not automatic calibration that uses a smartphone’s microphone, as is the case with some competing solutions. The user retains control over the settings. This approach requires a bit more effort, but it also prevents an algorithm from excessively altering the speaker’s sound signature.

A seven-band equalizer is available to take things even further, while presets make it easy to use with different types of content, whether it’s movies, music, or games. Despite these presets, manual configuration is still preferred to rein in the speaker’s very lively and showy character right out of the box. The controls for an optional subwoofer are also particularly comprehensive, with level adjustment, phase inversion, a crossover frequency adjustable from 20 to 250 Hz, and the option to apply a high-pass filter to the main speakers.

Many streaming options

For streaming, the Cambridge Audio L/R X wireless speakers are based on the fourth generation of the StreamMagic platform, which is already used in many of the manufacturer’s network players and streaming amplifiers. Once connected to a Wi-Fi or Ethernet network, they offer direct access to Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Qobuz Connect, Amazon Music, and Deezer, as well as thousands of internet radio stations. Up to 90 stations can be saved for quick access to your favorites. Support for UPnP and Roon Ready protocols ensures playback of files shared over the local network up to 32-bit/384 kHz and DSD 256, while AirPlay 2 and Google Cast allow you to stream audio from a smartphone, tablet, or computer, as well as set up a multi-room system with a group of compatible speakers or devices.

Only the Bluetooth feature seems fairly standard for a system in this class. It uses a Bluetooth 5.1 connection with SBC and AAC codecs, but does not support aptX HD or LDAC. To maximize sound quality, Wi-Fi should be the preferred option.

Playback control is handled directly through the StreamMagic app. Hi-Res tracks are supported for services that offer them, and listeners can easily play and edit their favorites and playlists. The integration of various streaming platforms is particularly well done, with an interface that’s as pretty as it is functional. The various controls are easy to find and use. In addition to music navigation, this app also centralizes audio settings, the equalizer, DynamEQ, subwoofer management, base lighting, and software updates. Users can even choose which of the two speakers will serve as the main unit to simplify setup near various audio sources.

Wide range of connectors

Another major strength of the Cambridge Audio L/R X speakers lies in their connectivity, which is on par with a true hi-fi system. The main speaker features an RCA analog input, a true MM phono input for connecting a turntable, a Toslink optical input, a USB-C audio port for a computer, a USB-A port for playing files from a storage device, and an Ethernet port. Better yet, an HDMI eARC input lets you use the speakers as your TV’s main audio system. You can then control the volume and power using the TV’s remote. Just keep in mind that the HDMI input supports PCM stereo up to 24-bit/192 kHz, without decoding Dolby or DTS multichannel formats. Despite the inclusion of a “Movie” mode that widens the soundstage and optimizes vocal clarity, the output remains strictly stereo. Still, these speakers are a great upgrade over a TV’s built-in drivers, offering greater precision, power, and musicality. In short, they’re an improvement in every way!

Test conditions

The Cambridge Audio L/R X smart speakers are particularly easy to set up. First, each speaker must be connected individually to a power outlet. One speaker then serves as the main speaker and handles the audio sources, network connection, and controls, while the other receives the audio stream and the information needed for operation. You can change which speaker is designated as the main unit using the StreamMagic app to position the various inputs on the side that’s most convenient for your setup.

Extremely practical and a rare feature, the two speakers can be connected wirelessly via a WiSa connection or, alternatively, using the included 5-meter USB Speaker Link cable. In both configurations, the inter-speaker connection supports audio streams up to 24-bit / 96 kHz. The wired connection is therefore not intended to increase the audio resolution between the two speakers but primarily to provide a particularly stable physical link in a Wi-Fi environment prone to interference.

Note from the expert
WiSA is a low-latency wireless audio transmission protocol designed to ensure highly precise synchronization between multiple speakers. Primarily used in home theater systems, here it is employed in a more unconventional way to wirelessly connect the two Cambridge Audio L/R X stereo hi-fi speakers at up to 24-bit / 96 kHz.

Connecting to the home network is just as simple. For Wi-Fi, simply download the StreamMagic app, then select the option to set up a new device. The app detects the L/R X speakers and then guides the user through the various steps of connecting to the network. Once setup is complete, the StreamMagic app becomes the system’s central control hub. It provides access to streaming services and Internet radios, as well as to various physical inputs, files stored on the network or on a USB device, and a wide range of audio settings.

Particularly well-developed for an in-house application, StreamMagic takes full advantage of the experience Cambridge Audio has gained with its network players. The interface is clear, stable, and a pleasure to use on a daily basis. As a result, setup is extremely intuitive, and it takes just a few minutes to have a fully operational connected hi-fi system up and running.

Listening impressions

The Cambridge Audio L/R X didn’t immediately win us over. In our listening room, which measures about 25 m², the bass was particularly abundant and sometimes overpowered the rest of the spectrum, while the high end was fairly lively. This behavior underscores, above all, the importance of adapting these speakers to their environment before making a final judgment.

As a result, we started by enabling the Room Acoustics feature in StreamMagic, entering the room’s dimensions and the speakers’ proximity to the walls. This initial adjustment already helps control the bass more effectively. To take it a step further, the seven-band equalizer lets you fine-tune the sound reproduction. In our room, slightly attenuating the bands around 80 and 120 Hz reduced the excess in the lower end of the spectrum, while a more subtle correction around 5 and 8 kHz slightly softened the tweeter’s brightness without sacrificing the sense of openness.

For our music listening sessions, we opted for Normal mode, which provided the best foundation for maintaining a balanced sound before applying any custom adjustments. The various presets available in StreamMagic further adjust the tonal balance to suit specific uses, such as movies (a slightly increased sense of spaciousness and enhanced dialogue) or games (emphasis on detail).

After making adjustments in the StreamMagic app, the Cambridge Audio L/R X speakers offered an analytical, clear, and exceptionally transparent sound, while significantly improving their balance. Percussion instruments featured crisp attacks and were beautifully highlighted, revealing a wealth of detail. Cymbals, hi-hats, and small percussion instruments stood out with great clarity, with each impact naturally finding its place in the soundstage.

The slight attenuation applied at the high end of the spectrum also helped better control the natural liveliness of the Torus tweeter. The highs remained bright and very airy, still contributing to the remarkable sense of transparency in the L/R X speakers, but with added smoothness and listening comfort. Certain particularly bright recordings, such as ZZ Top’s La Grange, may still produce some sibilance at high volumes, but the phenomenon becomes significantly less noticeable after correction.

The bass was one of the most striking features of the Cambridge Audio L/R X speakers. The two midbass drivers, combined with the passive radiators, delivered an impressive amount of low frequencies for speakers of this size. The foundation is substantial enough to confidently consider a setup without an external subwoofer, even in a large room. As noted above, however, a few adjustments were necessary to control the lower end of the spectrum. The bass then gained in clarity while retaining its very tight and direct character, with a sound signature quite typical of a passive radiator system. The impacts were tight, fast, and perfectly controlled, with a decidedly energetic reproduction that prioritized tension and efficiency over a rounder or warmer sound.

Cambridge Audio L/R X vs. KEF LS50 Wireless II

Compared to the KEF LS50 Wireless II, the Cambridge Audio L/R X take a more demonstrative approach. Their 800-watt amplification, combined with the dual woofers and passive radiators, gives them a more generous foundation and the ability to fill the room with greater authority. Once properly adjusted via the StreamMagic app, they maintain a beautiful sense of spaciousness and a strong sense of energy as the volume increases, even though their very generous bass and lively treble require a bit more care at high volume. The KEF speakers prioritize consistency and precision thanks to their Uni-Q coaxial driver, offering more texture in the midrange and a better-controlled high-frequency response right out of the box.

Who are these speakers designed for?

The Cambridge Audio L/R X speakers are designed primarily for music lovers who want the performance of a true hi-fi system in a setup that’s much easier to integrate. Thanks to their built-in amplification, the StreamMagic platform, and their extensive range of connectors, these speakers alone can replace an amplifier, a network player, and a DAC while also connecting directly to a TV, turntable, or computer. Their substantial power reserve and very generous bass response make them particularly well-suited for medium to large rooms, where they can reveal their full potential without the need for a subwoofer.

Their sound signature will appeal especially to listeners who enjoy a spectacular, energetic, transparent, and very open sound, more focused on impact and clarity than on a rounded or warm presentation. This assertive sound signature, however, requires careful setup: the bass can quickly become overpowering, and the high end can be quite sharp depending on the room and listening level. The numerous settings available in the StreamMagic app are therefore almost indispensable for adapting the L/R X speakers to their environment and achieving the best possible balance. Once properly adjusted, they will be a particularly compelling all-in-one system for those seeking simplicity of use, a wealth of features, and a highly dynamic sound reproduction.

FAQ – Frequently asked questions