Cambridge L/R, the Wireless Revolution

Cambridge enters the design active speaker arena with the L/R range, absolutely stereo (nome nomen) and consisting of three models declined for different needs and budgets: X the top of the range, M the intermediate and S the compact. The aesthetics are very original, and come very close to the stylings of Dieter Rams, and his “ten principles of good design,” according to which a product should be innovative, useful, aesthetic, understandable, unobtrusive, honest, durable, meticulous, environmentally friendly, and contain as little design as possible, summed up in the maxim “weniger, aber besser” (less, but better).

This for a manufacturer like Cambridge, British to the core, represents a major breakthrough, when you also take into account that there is a choice of six color variants. The two larger models integrate Cambridge’s StreamMagic Gen 4 platform, which enables direct streaming via Wi-Fi or Ethernet from Tidal Connect, Spotify Connect, Qobuz Connect, Amazon Music, Deezer, Roon Ready, UPnP and Internet radio. They also support multi-room through Google Cast and Apple AirPlay 2, so they do not need a streamer and also include a MM phono stage. X offers HDMI eARC, Bluetooth, TOSLINK and USB connectivity for computers and storage devices, plus a dedicated subwoofer output. The two Xs can communicate via USB-C cable or wirelessly through WiSA, in both cases with 24/96 resolution. The speaker equipment is extremely generous, the new 28mm Torus tweeter featuring a doughnut-shaped rear chamber to minimize rear cancellation, flanked by two 13cm woofers, one of which is oriented downward

They work in synergy with two 16cm passive radiators positioned on the sides, and tuned to 38Hz to extend the frequency response down to 30Hz. The claimed power output is 800 watts total in class D, so 400 watts per speaker, a figure that is undoubtedly more than enough to sound even very large rooms. The intermediate M model is very similar to its big brother. Same 28-millimeter Torus tweeter, but combined with two 10-cm woofers and two 12-cm passive radiators and a power output of 150W per speaker, 300W total always in class D. Same connectivity equipment as big brother X except for the connection between the speakers, limited to USB-C cable only and without the WiSA wireless option.

S, on the other hand, is an active speaker with Bluetooth aptX HD and an analog line input, TOSLINK and USB for computer connection, with a 2.1-cm aluminum tweeter and a single 7.5-cm woofer, powered by 50 watts of Class D amplification per channel with connection between the speakers being made via cable. X,L and S come with a Bluetooth Low Energy remote control to select inputs, manage volume and equalizer presets. They will come to market at different times in six finishes: black, white, blue, green, orange, and an exclusive real walnut veneer at an extra charge. S from spring 2026 priced at €499 (€549 for the walnut version), M and X will arrive in late summer at €1399 (walnut at €1499) M and €199 or €2099 in walnut for the X.

Technical characteristics X