Short answer: the Cambridge Audio L/R S. It ranks #4 of 48 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.4/5, at $549. The Audioengine A2+ ranks #19, rated 3.4/5, at $299, $250 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
The Cambridge Audio L/R S is the more accurate, deeper-bass pick. Compact desk speakers with very accurate sound, Bluetooth and optical and USB inputs, best for close listening. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 5.08 against 2.78 for the Audioengine A2+. Its bass reaches about 57Hz before falling 3dB, against 105.5Hz for the Audioengine A2+. Watch for: Maximum clean output is limited: Erin’s Audio Corner measured about 86dB before the onboard limiter engages around 96dB to protect the drivers, so this is a near-field or small-room speaker rather than one built to fill a living room.
The case for the Audioengine A2+: Tiny desktop speakers with Bluetooth, USB and analog inputs and a variable RCA output. It keeps a wired aux input, which the Cambridge Audio L/R S lacks. Watch for: The 2.78 standalone score and roughly 106Hz measured -3dB point reveal how much bass is missing without reinforcement or a subwoofer.
Buy the Cambridge Audio L/R S. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $250 you would save on the Audioengine A2+ does not close the gap.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Cambridge Audio L/R S | Audioengine A2+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $549.00 per pair | $299.00 per pair |
| Ranked | #4 of 48 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #19 of 48 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 57Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 105.5Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 58.9Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 21mm aluminum dome tweeter, 3” long-throw woofer | 0.75” silk dome tweeter, 2.75” fiber woofer |
| Frequency Response | 55Hz - 24kHz (±3dB, manufacturer specified) | 65Hz - 22kHz (+-2dB, Manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | 100W total (50W to woofer, 50W to tweeter, per speaker) | 15W RMS / 30W peak per channel |
| Inputs | RCA, optical digital, USB-C | RCA, 3.5mm, USB, Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD | - |
| App | Yes | No |
| DSP | Yes, room size, wall distance, and reflective surface correction; desktop-placement and near-wall/free-space switches | - |
| Dimensions | 5.3” (134 mm) W x 226mm H x 180mm D (each) | 6” x 4” x 5.2” (152 x 102 x 133 mm) |
| Weight | 6.6 lbs (3.0kg) primary speaker, 5.7 lbs (2.6kg) secondary speaker | 3.5 lbs (1.6 kg) left / 3.1 lbs (1.4 kg) right |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes | Yes |
| Outputs | Subwoofer, wired speaker-to-speaker link | RCA variable output (subwoofer) |
| XLR Input | No | No |
| RCA Input | Yes | Yes |
| TRS Input | No | No |
| Optical Input | Yes | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | Yes | Yes |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.08 | 2.78 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.72 | 6.10 |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 5.0 |
| EQ | - | No (fixed volume knob only) |
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