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 Monacor SOUND-4BT ranks #22 (rated 3.3/5) 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 3.58 for the Monacor SOUND-4BT. It supports aptX HD Bluetooth, which the Monacor SOUND-4BT lacks. The catch: 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.
What the Monacor SOUND-4BT does well: A compact powered pair with Bluetooth, optical and analog inputs, a remote and a subwoofer output. It keeps a wired aux input, which the Cambridge Audio L/R S lacks. Watch for: Predicted in-room response remains uneven despite the modest midrange span.
Buy the Cambridge Audio L/R S. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the Monacor SOUND-4BT is discontinued, so it is only available used.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Cambridge Audio L/R S | Monacor SOUND-4BT | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $549.00 per pair | $310 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #4 of 48 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #22 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” dome tweeter, 4” woofer |
| Frequency Response | 55Hz - 24kHz (±3dB, manufacturer specified) | 45Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | 100W total (50W to woofer, 50W to tweeter, per speaker) | 2 x 30W RMS |
| Inputs | RCA, optical digital, USB-C | Bluetooth 4.0 aptX, optical, RCA, 3.5mm |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD | SBC, aptX |
| 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 5.5W x 6.7D in |
| Weight | 6.6 lbs (3.0kg) primary speaker, 5.7 lbs (2.6kg) secondary speaker | 11.5 lbs (5.2 kg)/pair |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes | Yes |
| Outputs | Subwoofer, wired speaker-to-speaker link | Subwoofer |
| XLR Input | No | No |
| RCA Input | Yes | Yes |
| TRS Input | No | No |
| Optical Input | Yes | Yes |
| 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 | 3.58 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.72 | 6.10 |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 4.0 |
| Enclosure | - | 2-way powered stereo pair, bass reflex |
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