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 HD3 ranks #29, rated 3.2/5, at $359, $190 cheaper, which does not close the gap in sound quality.
The Cambridge Audio L/R S is the better-sounding, deeper-bass pick. Compact desk speakers with very accurate sound, Bluetooth and optical and USB inputs, best for close listening. Its bass reaches about 50Hz before falling 10dB, against 58Hz for the Audioengine HD3. It supports aptX HD Bluetooth, which the Audioengine HD3 lacks. 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 HD3: Compact powered desktop speakers with Bluetooth and analog inputs for when space is tight. It keeps a wired aux input, which the Cambridge Audio L/R S lacks. The catch: Limited bass makes a subwoofer useful for fuller music reproduction.
Buy the Cambridge Audio L/R S. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $190 you would save on the Audioengine HD3 does not close the gap.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Cambridge Audio L/R S | Audioengine HD3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $549.00 per pair | $359.00 per pair |
| Ranked | #4 of 48 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #29 of 48 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 57Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 65Hz |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 58Hz |
| Drivers | 21mm aluminum dome tweeter, 3” long-throw woofer | 2.75” woofer, 0.75” silk dome tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 55Hz - 24kHz (±3dB, manufacturer specified) | 65 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | 100W total (50W to woofer, 50W to tweeter, per speaker) | 30W total (15W per speaker) |
| Inputs | RCA, optical digital, USB-C | Bluetooth, Aux, RCA Input |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD | SBC, aptX |
| 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) | 9”H x 5.5”W x 6.5”D (228.6 x 139.7 x 165.1 mm) |
| Weight | 6.6 lbs (3.0kg) primary speaker, 5.7 lbs (2.6kg) secondary speaker | 7.3 lbs (3.3 kg) |
| 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 | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.08 | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.72 | - |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 5.0 |
| EQ | - | No |
| Maximum SPL | - | 90dB @ 1m (manufacturer specified) |
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