Short answer: the Yamaha HS8. It ranks #36 of 119 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.4/5, at $797.98; the Cambridge Audio L/R X ranks #76, rated 4.1/5, and costs $2,399, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
The Yamaha HS8 is the better-sounding pick. Popular studio monitors with neutral sound and solid bass from an 8 inch woofer. Watch for: Its response and off-axis behavior are not as refined as the leading monitors.
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. The catch: 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.
Buy the Yamaha HS8. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Cambridge Audio L/R X and costs less, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.
Still deciding? The full Powered Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Popular studio monitors with neutral sound and solid bass from an 8 inch woofer.
Active speakers with HDMI eARC, a phono input, Wi-Fi streaming, wide even dispersion, and solid bass.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Yamaha HS8 | Cambridge Audio L/R X | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $797.98 per pair | $2,399.00 per pair |
| Ranked | #36 of 119 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #76 of 119 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Dimensions | 15.4”H x 9.8”W x 13.1”D (391.2 x 248.9 x 332.7 mm) | 7.9” (200 mm) W x 330mm H x 260mm D (each) |
| Frequency Response | 47Hz - 24kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 35Hz - 24kHz (±3dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 43.9Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 43Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 34.7Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 37Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Inputs | XLR | HDMI eARC, RCA aux, RCA phono (MM), optical digital, USB-C, USB-A, Ethernet, Wi-Fi |
| Weight | 22.5 lbs (10.2 kg) | 22.9 lbs (10.4kg) each |
| Drivers | 8” woofer, 1” dome tweeter | 28mm aluminum tweeter, 2x 5” mid-woofers, 2x 6” side-firing passive radiators |
| App | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth | No | Yes |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) | - |
| DSP | No | Yes, room size, wall distance, and reflective surface correction |
| Amplifier Power | 120w Per Speaker | 800W total (400W per speaker) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.85 | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.58 | - |
| XLR Input | Yes | No |
| RCA Input | No | Yes |
| TRS Input | No | No |
| Optical Input | No | Yes |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | Yes |
| HDMI Input | No | Yes |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC, AAC |
| Subwoofer Output | - | Yes |
| Outputs | - | Subwoofer |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.1 |
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