Short answer: the Cambridge Audio L/R X if sound quality matters most, the Adam Audio A7V if price matters most. The Cambridge Audio L/R X ranks #48 of 68 powered bookshelf speakers, rated 4.1/5, at $2399. The Adam Audio A7V ranks #52, rated 4.0/5, at $939.99, $1459.01 cheaper.
The case for the Cambridge Audio L/R X: A 2.5-way active design with a 28mm aluminum tweeter, a front-facing 5-inch mid-woofer, a second 5-inch woofer at the base whose passband overlaps the first (the source of the “.5”), and dual 6-inch side-firing passive radiators per speaker. Watch for: On-axis response is less linear than the L/R S, with dips in the bass, a peak around 1-2kHz, and a dip spanning the upper mid-range into the lower treble; Cambridge confirmed the dip is a deliberate DSP notch for a tweeter breakup resonance rather than a driver flaw, but it was audible as a mild suck-out in an AB pink-noise comparison.
Why pick the Adam Audio A7V: Onboard DSP and correction integration offer useful ways to tailor the speaker to a room. The catch: The measured configuration spans 6.3dB from 300Hz to 5kHz, so its native response is appreciably less even than the leading monitors.
Buy the Cambridge Audio L/R X when sound quality outweighs the price for you, and the Adam Audio A7V when the price outweighs sound quality instead.
Still deciding? The full Powered Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Cambridge Audio L/R X | Adam Audio A7V | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,399.00 per pair | $1,879.98 per pair |
| Ranked | #48 of 68 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #52 of 68 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 43Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 37Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) | - |
| Drivers | 28mm aluminum tweeter, 2x 5" mid-woofers, 2x 6" side-firing passive radiators | X-ART folded-ribbon tweeter, 7" Multi-Layer Mineral woofer |
| Frequency Response | 35Hz - 24kHz (±3dB, manufacturer specified) | 44Hz - 41kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | 800W total (400W per speaker) | 130W RMS each |
| Inputs | HDMI eARC, RCA aux, RCA phono (MM), optical digital, USB-C, USB-A, Ethernet, Wi-Fi | XLR and RCA; Ethernet for control |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC | - |
| App | Yes | - |
| DSP | Yes, room size, wall distance, and reflective surface correction | - |
| Dimensions | 7.9" (200 mm) W x 330mm H x 260mm D (each) | 13.3H x 7.9W x 11D in |
| Weight | 22.9 lbs (10.4kg) each | 19.2 lbs (8.7 kg) each |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes | - |
| Outputs | Subwoofer | - |
| XLR Input | No | Yes |
| RCA Input | Yes | Yes |
| TRS Input | No | No |
| Optical Input | Yes | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | Yes | No |
| HDMI Input | Yes | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | No |
| Enclosure | - | 2-way active, twin front ports |
| Country | - | Germany (design) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | - | 4.39 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | - | 6.57 |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Cambridge Audio L/R X compares with other leading options:
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- Cambridge Audio L/R X vs Mesanovic CDM65
- Cambridge Audio L/R X vs Neumann KH 150
- Cambridge Audio L/R X vs Buchardt A10
- Neumann KH 310 A vs Cambridge Audio L/R X
Prices on this page were last checked September 23, 2026 at 11:24 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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The Two Speakers In Full
Cambridge Audio L/R X: $2,399.00 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: A 2.5-way active design with a 28mm aluminum tweeter, a front-facing 5-inch mid-woofer, a second 5-inch woofer at the base whose passband overlaps the first (the source of the “.5”), and dual 6-inch side-firing passive radiators per speaker. Erin’s Audio Corner measured wide, even horizontal dispersion (a broad flare out to about the -6dB point around 1.5 to 3kHz) and deeper extension than the smaller L/R S, with an F3 of about 43Hz and F10 of about 37Hz. In-app DSP for room size, speaker distance from the front wall, and reflective surface type gave an audible change in bass tightness in testing. Connectivity covers HDMI eARC, RCA aux, a moving-magnet phono input, optical digital, USB-C, USB-A, Wi-Fi streaming, and a subwoofer output, making it a full living-room hub rather than just a stereo pair. Measured bass extension of 43Hz (-3dB).
Cons: On-axis response is less linear than the L/R S, with dips in the bass, a peak around 1-2kHz, and a dip spanning the upper mid-range into the lower treble; Cambridge confirmed the dip is a deliberate DSP notch for a tweeter breakup resonance rather than a driver flaw, but it was audible as a mild suck-out in an AB pink-noise comparison. Vertical dispersion is narrower and asymmetric than the L/R S, at about plus 20 to minus 10 degrees, because the greater distance between the tweeter and mid-woofer creates more lobing, so listening height and stand placement matter more. Multitone distortion rides close to the 3% threshold at 96dB measured at 1 meter in the far field, limiting headroom for loud, wide-band material. Output falls off quickly below about 50Hz, so home-theater use with deep bass content benefits from an added subwoofer.
Full Cambridge Audio L/R X review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 800W total (400W per speaker) |
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 37Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 43Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| DSP | Yes, room size, wall distance, and reflective surface correction |
| Dimensions | 7.9" (200 mm) W x 330mm H x 260mm D (each) |
| Drivers | 28mm aluminum tweeter, 2x 5" mid-woofers, 2x 6" side-firing passive radiators |
| Frequency Response | 35Hz - 24kHz (±3dB, manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | Yes |
| Inputs | HDMI eARC, RCA aux, RCA phono (MM), optical digital, USB-C, USB-A, Ethernet, Wi-Fi |
| Optical Input | Yes |
| Outputs | Subwoofer |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | Yes |
| Weight | 22.9 lbs (10.4kg) each |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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Adam Audio A7V: $1,879.98 per pair B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: Onboard DSP and correction integration offer useful ways to tailor the speaker to a room. The Sound & Recording dataset gives a 6.57 ideal-subwoofer score and 50.9Hz measured -3dB extension, supporting use with bass assistance.
Cons: The measured configuration spans 6.3dB from 300Hz to 5kHz, so its native response is appreciably less even than the leading monitors. Performance is configuration-specific; alternate voicings or correction can change the result. Software features should not be credited as already-corrected acoustic performance.
Full Adam Audio A7V review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 130W RMS each |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Country | Germany (design) |
| Dimensions | 13.3H x 7.9W x 11D in |
| Drivers | X-ART folded-ribbon tweeter, 7" Multi-Layer Mineral woofer |
| Enclosure | 2-way active, twin front ports |
| Frequency Response | 44Hz - 41kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR and RCA; Ethernet for control |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.39 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.57 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 19.2 lbs (8.7 kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Adam Audio A7V vs Focal Alpha 65 EVO
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