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Need-to-knows
- Bold new design and colours
- Loads of connectivity options
- High volume without distortion
- Brilliant bass
Cambridge Audio isn’t new to high-fidelity sound, and I’ve been an admirer from a distance for a long time. But when I got to check out the brand-new L/R Series at CES this year, I was pleasantly surprised by the direction they’ve gone in with their latest release.
And I mean that in two different ways: the looks and the sound. This lineup of active stereo speakers comes with a refreshingly modern design, smarter-than-your-average connectivity, and a whole lot of punch.
I’ve had an early listen, and these are my first impressions.
Seriously punchy sound
What struck me immediately about the L/R Series, across all three models, was just how confident they sound. The clarity in the midrange is genuinely beautiful. Vocals sit right where you want them, instruments remain perfectly separated, and there’s a brightness to the top-end that never tips into harshness.
But it’s the bass that impressed me most. All three models deliver an impressive low-end punch, and not once during my time with them did I ever feel like I needed to add a subwoofer, even though there is a sub-out option on each model. In a reflective hotel room, which isn’t the kindest acoustic environment, they still managed to sound clean and full-bodied, without distortion even when the volume is pumped.
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Beautifully designed
Cambridge has clearly put thought into the aesthetic side of the L/R Series, too. I mean, just look at them! These aren’t just speakers you hide in the corners of your living room. There is a choice of six finishes, including colours like orange, green, and real walnut veneer, they’re meant as statement pieces.
And they absolutely succeed in that in my opinion. They look super luxury and would fit really nicely into any room.
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In fact, I suspect these will tempt a new generation of buyers who may never have considered Cambridge Audio before. They still offer the kind of refinement audiophiles demand, but they look and feel far more accessible and fresh. Add in tasteful underlighting on the L/R X and M, and these speakers really do start to feel like a treat.
Three sizes, same philosophy
The L/R Series is made up of three models: the flagship L/R X, the slightly more compact L/R M, and the desktop-friendly L/R S. Each has its own power output, driver configuration, and intended use-case, but all three share the same design language. I’m not usually one for digging deep into technical specs, but I will indulge the audiophile side of my brain for a second.
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L/R X
The big daddy of the bunch, the L/R X pushes out 800W of Class D amplification (400W per speaker), driving dual 5-inch woofers and a pair of 6-inch force-cancelling passive radiators. There’s a newly developed 28mm Torus tweeter up top too.
The StreamMagic Gen 4 platform is baked in, with high-res streaming from Spotify, TIDAL, Qobuz, Amazon Music, and more. Connectivity is excellent too, with HDMI eARC, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, phono input and USB audio. There’s even WiSA HT wireless speaker linking if you want a completely cable-free setup.
L/R M
Slightly smaller, the L/R M delivers 300W of total power (150W per speaker) and uses smaller 4-inch woofers with 4.75-inch passive radiators. The same Torus tweeter is here, along with the StreamMagic platform and almost identical connectivity.
L/R S
The baby of the family, the L/R S cuts a few corners in terms of connectivity (no StreamMagic or phono stage here), but still delivers a cracking sound. With 100W of Class D power and a 21mm aluminium tweeter paired with a single 3-inch woofer, it should make for a great desktop or small-room system. Bluetooth aptX HD is on board, and you still get USB and sub-out for extra flexibility.
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Wrapping up
Obviously, I haven’t had time yet to live with these speakers, but there’s a lot to like about the new L/R Series. The design is confident. The connectivity is smart and futureproof. But most importantly, the sound is fabulous. These are detailed, dynamic speakers that can fill a room without breaking a sweat.
More thoughts soon, but the first impressions are pretty damn good.
