Cambridge Audio L/R S Review: Balanced Sound That Never Tires

Experience the soothing, fatigue-free sound of the compact Cambridge Audio L/R S active speakers, blending sleek design with impressive audio for your desktop.

A Long-Awaited Debut in Active Speakers

Ever wondered why it took nearly six decades for a renowned British audio brand to release its first active loudspeakers? Cambridge Audio, with a rich 60-year history crafting amplifiers, CD players, streamers, vinyl decks, subwoofers, wireless speakers, and even Blu-ray players, finally stepped into the active speaker arena with the L/R series.

Their debut active line includes three sizes, and we had the pleasure to test the most compact member — the Cambridge Audio L/R S active speakers. Could this petite desktop speaker spark a successful new chapter for the brand? From the looks of it, very much so.

Price and Availability

The L/R S comes in as the smallest and most affordable sibling in the L/R line, priced at $549 for a pair. This positions it alongside other notable desktop active speakers such as the award-winning Ruark MR1 Mk3 active speakers at $579, while the budget-friendly Onkyo GX-30ARC active speakers costs about $349.

Cambridge offers the L/R S in six finishes: classic black and white, vibrant green, blue, orange, and an elegant walnut veneer (our review sample). The walnut option commands a premium, coming in at $599 per pair.

For those planning to place them directly on a desk, optional angled stands (around $65) help direct sound right to your ears — a thoughtful accessory for maximizing audio clarity.

Design & Build Quality

If your workspace is tight — maybe a cozy dorm room or a snug apartment — the diminutive dimensions of the L/R S will delight you. Each speaker stands just under 23 cm tall and about 13 cm wide, roughly the size of a paperback book. They fit neatly on any desk or shelf, flanking your laptop or TV with ease.

Cambridge Audio L/R S Specifications

Their clean, minimal design integrates seamlessly into nearly any interior style. Whether blending into a sleek office setup or adding a pop of color with bright hues, the build quality feels top-notch. The precise edges and smooth finish give off a high-end vibe, while the laser-engraved Cambridge Audio logo on the top panel adds a classy touch.

Inside, each speaker is outfitted with a 21mm aluminum tweeter and a 76mm mid/woofer, complemented by a rear slot port for bass tuning. A Class D amplifier powers the system, delivering a solid 100 watts combined, split evenly between channels.

The tweeter’s large waveguide and the mid/woofer dominate the ultra-clean front face, with the bright metallic orange dome peeking through to add visual excitement. The speakers come sans grills, but the phase plug on the tweeter doubles as finger protection.

This is a fully active setup: all electronics and amplification live in the master speaker. The included 2-meter proprietary 4-pin cable connects to the slave speaker securely; a 5-meter option is available for wider setups.

Notably, the design prioritizes simplicity. There are no buttons or knobs on the cabinets themselves for source selection or volume adjustments. Instead, a colored LED on the master speaker indicates the current input source.

A slim remote control comes as standard, managing inputs, volume, and power. Though lightweight plastic, it functions reliably — keep track of it!

Placement adaptability is impressive. Rear panel toggle switches let you optimize for desk placement or wall proximity. The “Near Wall” mode reduces mid-bass around 100 Hz to avoid boominess when pushed tight against a wall, while the “Desk Top” mode compensates for reflections and phase shifts caused by a speaker sitting on a reflective desk surface, delaying the tweeter signal and adjusting mid/high frequencies for the perfect listening spot.

A third switch even allows users to assign the master speaker as either the left or right channel, giving flexibility for your room layout.

Features Focused on Simplicity

While the bigger brothers in the L/R family bring full network streaming, the L/R S sticks to the essentials: Bluetooth wireless streaming plus wired inputs including line-level RCA, optical, and USB-C, plus a subwoofer output.

Though optical and USB-C can handle up to 96 kHz high-res files, the internal DSP downsamples everything to 24-bit/48 kHz for processing.

Interestingly, for those who love vinyl, no built-in phono preamp is included, unlike competitors like Ruark MR1 Mk3 active speakers or Onkyo GX-30ARC active speakers. Also, HDMI ARC is missing, which some more affordable rivals offer.

Still, you can connect a variety of gear: CD players, TVs, phones, laptops, and turntables with built-in phono stages (like the Sony PS-LX3BT turntable). Bluetooth supports aptX and aptX HD codecs, and pairing is a breeze.

Operation is straightforward via the remote or through smartphone apps such as Tidal or Spotify when streaming.

Three sound modes tailor your listening:

• Normal (default) – Balanced and natural
• Voice – Boosts midrange for clearer dialogue and vocals
• Movie – Enhances bass and treble for cinematic punch, with vocal clarity

The EQ shifts are subtle but effective. Vocals gain clarity in Voice mode, and Movie mode adds excitement without harshness. For music, Normal gives the best balanced, rich experience.

Sound That Invites You to Stay a While

We positioned the L/R S speakers on a desk beside a laptop, connected via Bluetooth, and let them warm up while going about our day. This real-world setup revealed much about their character: would the sound be fatiguing or mellow? Too powerful or pleasantly subtle? Would highs grate on the ears?

Listening to a diverse playlist — from Rosalia to Eminem, Waxahatchee to Geese, and even Rachmaninoff — we quickly grew fond of these little speakers. Their frequency response is impressively even and smooth, delivering long-lasting comfort with no listener fatigue.

Highs are soft and clean, handling the edgy tones of Fontaines D.C.'s "Starburster" without any harshness. Bass is tight and punchy but not overwhelming — perfect for nearfield listening on resonant surfaces. While lacking the deep heft of Ruark MR1 Mk3 active speakers’s booming bass or the powerful punch in Massive Attack’s "Angel," the L/R S maintain excellent rhythm and pace.

Thanks to a quiet noise floor and low distortion, the speakers deliver crisp detail whether streaming over Bluetooth or digital wired sources like a Cyrus CDi CD player. From silky vocal lines in Waxahatchee to the jagged textures of Geese, the Cambridge Audio creates a coherent and intimate soundstage.

Volume-wise, the speakers come alive when pushed beyond moderate levels. Maxing out your smartphone's Bluetooth volume may feel like the top, but the remote lets you crank things higher. Just beware of distortion creeping in at very loud levels.

Comparing Competitors and User Impressions

In direct comparison, Ruark MR1 Mk3 active speakers pull ahead in rhythmic drive and dynamic expressiveness. They also create a larger, more open soundstage with better instrument separation.

Ruark's cleaner midrange offers richer nuances and texture. For example, the vocals of Justin Vernon (Bon Iver) in "Exile" sound more vibrant and emotional on Ruark, while Cambridge Audio L/R S tones down some of that liveliness with a slight veil over the mids.

We strongly recommend investing in the optional desktop stands for the L/R S — physically angling the speakers towards your ears sharpens clarity and density. Off-axis listening changes tonal balance, so some placement experimentation pays off.

Ratings Summary

Potential Issues and Workarounds

There are a few things to keep in mind:

• Bluetooth remote can occasionally lose sync; a simple reconnect usually fixes this.
• No firmware updates available; no future feature or bug fixes via updates.
• No built-in Wi-Fi; streaming strictly via Bluetooth or wired connections.

Who Should Buy the Cambridge Audio L/R S?

Perfect for: Fans of understated elegance and balanced sound in compact form factors. Ideal for desktops or small rooms without sacrificing space.

Not for: Bass-heads demanding thunderous lows or users who want physical volume controls on speakers or HDMI eARC connectivity.

Verdict: With some caveats, the Cambridge Audio L/R S active speakers make an excellent introduction to the brand’s active speaker line. They combine a refined design with a clear understanding of real-world user needs. The sound is notably even, sophisticated, and comfortable for the price. Though rivals offer more punch and detail, if your priorities are style, compactness, and fatigue-free listening, these deserve your attention.

"The sound is impressively even and pleasant, offering very comfortable listening that doesn't tire even after several hours." — Reviewer

FAQ

• What wireless connectivity does the L/R S support?
  Bluetooth with aptX HD, aptX, SBC, and AAC codecs.
• Can I connect a turntable directly?
  Only turntables with built-in phono preamps are compatible; the L/R S lacks a built-in phono stage.
• Is there a way to adjust sound on the speakers themselves?
  No onboard controls; all volume and input switching is done via the included remote.
• Are the speakers suitable for small rooms?
  Absolutely, their compact size and sound tuning options make them ideal for desktop or small room use.
• Do the speakers support firmware updates?
  No, there is no firmware update functionality.

For those enchanted by the design and sound of Cambridge Audio L/R S, consider enhancing your space with a stylish album cover poster from our store — a perfect complement to your audio setup. Shop now.