Short answer: the Cambridge Audio L/R X on measured sound quality, the Klipsch The Sevens on price. The Cambridge Audio L/R X ranks #47 of 67 powered bookshelf speakers at $2399. The Klipsch The Sevens ranks #64 at $999.99, $1399.01 cheaper.
What the Cambridge Audio L/R X offers: 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. 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. 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.
What the Klipsch The Sevens offers: Erin reported 49Hz -3dB extension, with useful bass for ordinary music listening. HDMI, phono, USB, optical and Bluetooth connections make the system convenient for TV and music, while app controls and a subwoofer output provide adjustment options. Watch for: The review found a recessed 2-4kHz region and upper-treble emphasis, producing a scooped balance that a simple treble reduction did not fully fix. Relatively narrow horizontal coverage limits consistency across seats.
Buy the Cambridge Audio L/R X if sound quality is the priority over the price, or the Klipsch The Sevens if the price is the priority over sound quality.
Skip the Klipsch The Sevens if sound quality matters to you. It ranks near the bottom of the 67 powered bookshelf speakers.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Cambridge Audio L/R X | Klipsch The Sevens | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,399.00 per pair | $999.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #47 of 67 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #64 of 67 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 43Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) | 49Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 37Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) | 36Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 28mm aluminum tweeter, 2x 5" mid-woofers, 2x 6" side-firing passive radiators | 6.5" high-excursion woofer, 1" titanium tweeter on Tractrix horn |
| Frequency Response | 35Hz - 24kHz (±3dB, manufacturer specified) | - |
| Amplifier Power | 800W total (400W per speaker) | 200W total (400W peak) |
| Inputs | HDMI eARC, RCA aux, RCA phono (MM), optical digital, USB-C, USB-A, Ethernet, Wi-Fi | HDMI, Phono, 3.5mm, USB, Optical, Bluetooth |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD |
| App | Yes | Yes (treble/mid/bass EQ, subwoofer output, dynamic bass mode) |
| DSP | Yes, room size, wall distance, and reflective surface correction | - |
| Dimensions | 7.9" (200 mm) W x 330mm H x 260mm D (each) | 16.375"H x 8.125"W x 13.1875"D |
| Weight | 22.9 lbs (10.4kg) each | 22.3 lbs (10.1 kg) (primary), 19.8 lbs (9 kg) (secondary) |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes | Yes |
| Outputs | Subwoofer | Subwoofer |
| Woofer Cabinet | - | ported, rear flared port |
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Prices on this page were last checked September 16, 2026 at 12:41 AM 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 →
| Amplifier Power | 800W total (400W per speaker) |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 37Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 43Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| 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) |
| Inputs | HDMI eARC, RCA aux, RCA phono (MM), optical digital, USB-C, USB-A, Ethernet, Wi-Fi |
| Outputs | Subwoofer |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes |
| Weight | 22.9 lbs (10.4kg) each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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Klipsch The Sevens: $999.99 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: Erin reported 49Hz -3dB extension, with useful bass for ordinary music listening. HDMI, phono, USB, optical and Bluetooth connections make the system convenient for TV and music, while app controls and a subwoofer output provide adjustment options. Measured bass extension of 49Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The review found a recessed 2-4kHz region and upper-treble emphasis, producing a scooped balance that a simple treble reduction did not fully fix. Relatively narrow horizontal coverage limits consistency across seats.
Full Klipsch The Sevens review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 200W total (400W peak) |
|---|---|
| App | Yes (treble/mid/bass EQ, subwoofer output, dynamic bass mode) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 36Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 49Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD |
| Dimensions | 16.375"H x 8.125"W x 13.1875"D |
| Drivers | 6.5" high-excursion woofer, 1" titanium tweeter on Tractrix horn |
| Inputs | HDMI, Phono, 3.5mm, USB, Optical, Bluetooth |
| Outputs | Subwoofer |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes |
| Weight | 22.3 lbs (10.1 kg) (primary), 19.8 lbs (9 kg) (secondary) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear flared port |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Klipsch The Sevens vs EVE Audio SC305
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- Klipsch The Sevens vs Edifier S3000Pro
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- Klipsch The Sevens vs Kali Audio LP-8
- Klipsch The Sevens vs Adam Audio T7V
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