Short answer: the Mesanovic CDM65 on measured sound quality, the Cambridge Audio L/R X on price. The Mesanovic CDM65 ranks #2 of 67 powered bookshelf speakers at $5998. The Cambridge Audio L/R X ranks #47 at $2399, $3599 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 Mesanovic CDM65 offers: Erin’s measurements show a very even 1.1dB span from 300Hz to 5kHz and an 8.08 ideal-subwoofer preference score, strong evidence for natural tonal balance. Measured -3dB bass extension is 36.6Hz. Switchable cardioid operation offers useful control of rearward radiation; an optional WiSA hub adds wireless system integration. Watch for: Cardioid operation and bass tuning affect placement and output, so use the appropriate mode for the room. A subwoofer is still useful for deep bass at high levels. These are substantial, roughly 14.5kg cabinets, and the optional hub adds cost rather than being necessary for wired playback.
Buy the Cambridge Audio L/R X if the price matters more than sound quality. Buy the Mesanovic CDM65 if sound quality matters more than the price.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Cambridge Audio L/R X | Mesanovic CDM65 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,399.00 per pair | $5,300 per pair |
| Ranked | #47 of 67 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #2 of 67 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 43Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) | 36.6Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 37Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) | 29.8Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 28mm aluminum tweeter, 2x 5" mid-woofers, 2x 6" side-firing passive radiators | 1" aluminum dome waveguide tweeter, 5" aluminum cone midrange, 2x 6.5" paper Kevlar side mounted subwoofers |
| Frequency Response | 35Hz - 24kHz (±3dB, manufacturer specified) | 40Hz-20kHz +/-1.0dB |
| Amplifier Power | 800W total (400W per speaker) | 600W total (150W tweeter, 150W midrange, 300W subwoofers combined) |
| Inputs | HDMI eARC, RCA aux, RCA phono (MM), optical digital, USB-C, USB-A, Ethernet, Wi-Fi | - |
| 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) | 15"H x 8"W x 14"D (381 x 203 x 356 mm) |
| Weight | 22.9 lbs (10.4kg) each | 32 lbs (14.5 kg) each |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes | - |
| Outputs | Subwoofer | - |
| Enclosure | - | sealed |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 150Hz, 2,300Hz |
| Warranty | - | 2 years |
| Country | - | United States |
| Maximum SPL | - | 103dB @ 1m (manufacturer specified) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | - | 6.58 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | - | 8.08 |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Mesanovic CDM65 compares with other leading options:
- AsciLab C8C vs Mesanovic CDM65
- Neumann KH 150 vs Mesanovic CDM65
- Mesanovic CDM65 vs Buchardt A10
- Neumann KH 310 A vs Mesanovic CDM65
- Mesanovic CDM65 vs HEDD Type 20 MK2
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
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Mesanovic CDM65: $5,300 per pair Front End Audio eBay
Pros: Erin’s measurements show a very even 1.1dB span from 300Hz to 5kHz and an 8.08 ideal-subwoofer preference score, strong evidence for natural tonal balance. Measured -3dB bass extension is 36.6Hz. Switchable cardioid operation offers useful control of rearward radiation; an optional WiSA hub adds wireless system integration. Measured bass extension of 36.6Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Cardioid operation and bass tuning affect placement and output, so use the appropriate mode for the room. A subwoofer is still useful for deep bass at high levels. These are substantial, roughly 14.5kg cabinets, and the optional hub adds cost rather than being necessary for wired playback.
Full Mesanovic CDM65 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 600W total (150W tweeter, 150W midrange, 300W subwoofers combined) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 29.8Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 36.6Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Country | United States |
| Crossover Frequency | 150Hz, 2,300Hz |
| Dimensions | 15"H x 8"W x 14"D (381 x 203 x 356 mm) |
| Drivers | 1" aluminum dome waveguide tweeter, 5" aluminum cone midrange, 2x 6.5" paper Kevlar side mounted subwoofers |
| Enclosure | sealed |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz-20kHz +/-1.0dB |
| Maximum SPL | 103dB @ 1m (manufacturer specified) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.58 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.08 |
| Warranty | 2 years |
| Weight | 32 lbs (14.5 kg) each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons