Short answer: the Fluid Audio Image 2. Both are rated 4.1/5 for sound quality (#43 and #48 of 68 powered bookshelf speakers), and the Fluid Audio Image 2 costs $1899 against $2399 for the Cambridge Audio L/R X, so with nothing between them on sound quality, price settles it.
What the Cambridge Audio L/R X does well: 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. 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.
What the Fluid Audio Image 2 does well: Measured -3dB extension of 38.1Hz gives useful bass reach, while a 2.5dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz supports broadly balanced mids. The catch: The 6.80 ideal-subwoofer score places its measured native tonality below the leading monitors.
Buy the Fluid Audio Image 2. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $500 less than the Cambridge Audio L/R X.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Cambridge Audio L/R X | Fluid Audio Image 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,399.00 per pair | $3,798 per pair |
| Ranked | #48 of 68 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #43 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 | AMT tweeter, 5-inch midrange, dual opposed 8-inch woofers |
| Frequency Response | 35Hz - 24kHz (±3dB, manufacturer specified) | 40Hz-27kHz +/-2.2dB |
| Amplifier Power | 800W total (400W per speaker) | 675W each |
| Inputs | HDMI eARC, RCA aux, RCA phono (MM), optical digital, USB-C, USB-A, Ethernet, Wi-Fi | XLR/TRS, AES/EBU, SPDIF |
| 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) | 14.3H x 9.5W x 13.8D in |
| Weight | 22.9 lbs (10.4kg) each | 28.4 lbs (12.9 kg) each |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes | - |
| Outputs | Subwoofer | - |
| XLR Input | No | Yes |
| RCA Input | Yes | No |
| TRS Input | No | Yes |
| Optical Input | Yes | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | Yes |
| USB Input | Yes | No |
| HDMI Input | Yes | No |
| AES Input | No | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | No |
| Enclosure | - | Active sealed 3-way |
| Maximum SPL | - | 112dB each |
| Spinorama Preference Score | - | 5.22 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | - | 6.80 |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Fluid Audio Image 2 compares with other leading options:
- Fluid Audio Image 2 vs Genelec 8050B
- Fluid Audio Image 2 vs Focal Solo6 ST6
- Fluid Audio Image 2 vs Genelec 8040B
- Fluid Audio Image 2 vs JBL 708P
- Fluid Audio Image 2 vs Sigberg Audio Manta
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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
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
- Cambridge Audio L/R X vs Dynaudio Core 47
- Cambridge Audio L/R X vs Focal Alpha 65 EVO
- Cambridge Audio L/R X vs JBL 4329P
- Cambridge Audio L/R X vs Barefoot Footprint 01
- Cambridge Audio L/R X vs Adam Audio A7V
- Cambridge Audio L/R X vs Adam Audio T8V
- Cambridge Audio L/R X vs Adam Audio T7V
- Cambridge Audio L/R X vs Presonus Eris Studio 8
- See all 23 comparisons
Fluid Audio Image 2: $3,798 per pair Fluid Audio eBay
Pros: Measured -3dB extension of 38.1Hz gives useful bass reach, while a 2.5dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz supports broadly balanced mids. The active multiway design and DSP tools offer flexibility for a studio installation.
Cons: The 6.80 ideal-subwoofer score places its measured native tonality below the leading monitors. DSP flexibility should not be confused with verified accuracy before adjustment. Full-range headroom, room integration and cabinet placement still need attention in a demanding monitoring system.
Full Fluid Audio Image 2 review and specifications →
| AES Input | Yes |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 675W each |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | Yes |
| Dimensions | 14.3H x 9.5W x 13.8D in |
| Drivers | AMT tweeter, 5-inch midrange, dual opposed 8-inch woofers |
| Enclosure | Active sealed 3-way |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz-27kHz +/-2.2dB |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR/TRS, AES/EBU, SPDIF |
| Maximum SPL | 112dB each |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.22 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.80 |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 28.4 lbs (12.9 kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Fluid Audio Image 2 vs Barefoot Footprint 01
- Fluid Audio Image 2 vs Sigberg Audio Manta
- Fluid Audio Image 2 vs JBL 4329P
- Fluid Audio Image 2 vs JBL 708P
- Fluid Audio Image 2 vs Dynaudio Core 47
- Fluid Audio Image 2 vs Adam Audio A7V
- Fluid Audio Image 2 vs Genelec 8040B
- Fluid Audio Image 2 vs Focal Solo6 ST6
- See all 9 comparisons