Short answer: the Cambridge Audio L/R X. Both are rated 4.1/5 for sound quality (#76 and #72 of 119 powered bookshelf speakers), and the Cambridge Audio L/R X costs $2,399 against $2,999 for the Barefoot Footprint 01, and with sound quality even, the cheaper one is the better buy.
What the Cambridge Audio L/R X does well: Active speakers with HDMI eARC, a phono input, Wi-Fi streaming, wide even dispersion, and solid bass. The tradeoff: 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.
The case for the Barefoot Footprint 01: Compact three-way studio monitors with substantial low end weight from opposed woofers. The catch: The 6.70 ideal-subwoofer score and 2.9dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz indicate tonal unevenness relative to the strongest monitors.
Buy the Cambridge Audio L/R X. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $600 less than the Barefoot Footprint 01.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Cambridge Audio L/R X | Barefoot Footprint 01 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,399.00 per pair | $2,999.00 per pair |
| Ranked | #76 of 119 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #72 of 119 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 | 1” ring-radiator tweeter, 4” aluminum-cone midrange, 2x 8” paper-composite woofers (Dual-Force opposed) |
| Frequency Response | 35Hz - 24kHz (±3dB, manufacturer specified) | 36Hz-45kHz (+/-3dB) |
| Amplifier Power | 800W total (400W per speaker) | 650W total per speaker (500W LF, 150W HF), bi-amped |
| Inputs | HDMI eARC, RCA aux, RCA phono (MM), optical digital, USB-C, USB-A, Ethernet, Wi-Fi | XLR |
| 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) | 14.0H x 9.5W x 13.0D in |
| Weight | 22.9 lbs (10.4kg) each | 35.1 lbs (15.9 kg) each |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes | - |
| Outputs | Subwoofer | - |
| XLR Input | No | Yes |
| RCA Input | Yes | No |
| 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 |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | - |
| Enclosure | - | 3-way active, sealed woofer/midrange chambers, machined aluminum baffle |
| Country | - | United States |
| Spinorama Preference Score | - | 5.48 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | - | 6.70 |
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