Short answer: the Focal Solo6 ST6. It ranks #53 of 119 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.3/5, at $2,998. The Cambridge Audio L/R X ranks #76, rated 4.1/5, at $2,399, $599 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.
Why pick the Cambridge Audio L/R X: Active speakers with HDMI eARC, a phono input, Wi-Fi streaming, wide even dispersion, and solid bass. 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 Focal Solo6 ST6: Studio monitors with an accurate midrange, a beryllium tweeter, and a Focus mode for checking mixes. Watch for: The measured -3dB point is 46.9Hz, so deep-bass work benefits from a subwoofer.
Buy the Focal Solo6 ST6. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $599 saving on the Cambridge Audio L/R X is not enough to make up the difference.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Cambridge Audio L/R X | Focal Solo6 ST6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,399.00 per pair | $2,998 per pair |
| Ranked | #76 of 119 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #53 of 119 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 43Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 46.9Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 37Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 38.1Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Drivers | 28mm aluminum tweeter, 2x 5” mid-woofers, 2x 6” side-firing passive radiators | 1” Beryllium inverted-dome tweeter, 6.5” “W” composite sandwich-cone woofer |
| Frequency Response | 35Hz - 24kHz (±3dB, manufacturer specified) | 40Hz - 40kHz (±3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | 800W total (400W per speaker) | 130W total (80W LF + 50W HF); Bi-amped (Class G LF + Class AB HF) |
| 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) | 24.6 x 33.4 x 29.5cm (9.7 x 13.1 x 11.6 in) each, 13kg (28.6 lb) each |
| Weight | 22.9 lbs (10.4kg) each | 28.7 lbs (13 kg) |
| 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 | - |
| Maximum SPL | - | 110dB peak at 1m |
| Spinorama Preference Score | - | 5.32 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | - | 7.34 |
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