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 and is still sold new; the Bowers & Wilkins Formation Flex ranks #18 (rated 3.5/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used.
The Cambridge Audio L/R S is the more accurate choice. 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 3.69 for the Bowers & Wilkins Formation Flex. 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 Bowers & Wilkins Formation Flex: A compact wireless streaming speaker with AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect and Roon, which can pair as a cable-free stereo set. The catch: Standalone preference is only 3.69.
Buy the Cambridge Audio L/R S. It is rated higher for sound quality and still sold new, while the Bowers & Wilkins Formation Flex is discontinued.
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Prices on this page were last checked November 7, 2026 at 7:34 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Cambridge Audio L/R S | Bowers & Wilkins Formation Flex | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $549.00 per pair | £898 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #4 of 48 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #18 of 48 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 57Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Drivers | 21mm aluminum dome tweeter, 3” long-throw woofer | 1” decoupled double-dome tweeter, 4” woven-glass woofer |
| Frequency Response | 55Hz - 24kHz (±3dB, manufacturer specified) | 50Hz - 28kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | 100W total (50W to woofer, 50W to tweeter, per speaker) | 100W each (2 x 50W) |
| Inputs | RCA, optical digital, USB-C | AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Roon Ready, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD | - |
| App | Yes | - |
| 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) | 8.5H x 5.1W x 5.1D in |
| Weight | 6.6 lbs (3.0kg) primary speaker, 5.7 lbs (2.6kg) secondary speaker | 5.1 lbs (2.3 kg) each |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes | - |
| Outputs | Subwoofer, wired speaker-to-speaker link | - |
| XLR Input | No | No |
| RCA Input | Yes | No |
| 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 | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.08 | 3.69 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.72 | 6.43 |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 4.1 |
| Enclosure | - | 2-way active wireless |
| Wireless | - | AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Bluetooth, Formation mesh |
| Country | - | United Kingdom (design) |
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