Short answer: the Focal Solo6 ST6. It ranks #30 of 68 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.3/5, at $1499; the Cambridge Audio L/R X ranks #48, rated 4.1/5, and costs $2399, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
Why pick 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 Focal Solo6 ST6: ASR measured a tight 1.6dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz and a 6.44 ideal-subwoofer score, supporting accurate midrange monitoring. 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 than the Cambridge Audio L/R X and costs less, so the other one has nothing left to offer.
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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 | #48 of 68 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #30 of 68 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 |
| Maximum SPL | - | 110dB peak at 1m |
| Spinorama Preference Score | - | 4.04 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | - | 6.18 |
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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
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Focal Solo6 ST6: $2,998 per pair B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: ASR measured a tight 1.6dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz and a 6.44 ideal-subwoofer score, supporting accurate midrange monitoring. The beryllium tweeter and Focus mode offer a useful professional workflow, with Focus serving as an alternate mix-check presentation. Measured bass extension of 46.9Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The measured -3dB point is 46.9Hz, so deep-bass work benefits from a subwoofer. The standard-mode score does not apply to Focus mode. There is no automatic room-calibration system, and premium driver materials alone do not establish superior sound.
Full Focal Solo6 ST6 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 130W total (80W LF + 50W HF); Bi-amped (Class G LF + Class AB HF) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38.1Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 46.9Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 24.6 x 33.4 x 29.5cm (9.7 x 13.1 x 11.6 in) each, 13kg (28.6 lb) each |
| Drivers | 1" Beryllium inverted-dome tweeter, 6.5" "W" composite sandwich-cone woofer |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 40kHz (±3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR |
| Maximum SPL | 110dB peak at 1m |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.04 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.18 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 28.7 lbs (13 kg) |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons