Cambridge Audio L/R S Versatile Powered Stereo Speakers

Compact Active Speakers Built for Desks and Small Rooms

The L/R S is the smallest and most affordable model in Cambridge Audio's L/R Series, and the company's first-ever active (self-powered) stereo speaker. Each cabinet is just under 9 inches tall — about the width of a paperback book — so the pair fits easily on a desk, shelf, or media console without a separate amplifier.

Unlike its larger L/R M and L/R X siblings, the L/R S keeps things simple: there's no network streaming platform here, just Bluetooth and a set of wired inputs. It's built for listeners who want genuinely good stereo sound at a desk, on a shelf, or in a smaller room, without the complexity or cost of a full component system.

Real Stereo Sound From a Small Cabinet

Each speaker houses a 21mm aluminum tweeter and a long-throw 76mm (3-inch) mid/bass driver, both powered by Class D amplification, for a claimed 100 watts of total output split evenly between the two speakers. A bass-reflex port at the rear of each cabinet helps extend low-frequency output without requiring a larger enclosure or a separate subwoofer.

Wired and Wireless, Kept Simple

The L/R S connects over Bluetooth (aptX HD, aptX, SBC, and AAC), or through RCA line-level, optical, and USB-C wired inputs. Optical and USB-C both accept high-resolution files up to 24-bit/96kHz, though the speakers' internal processing resamples everything to 24-bit/48kHz before playback. A subwoofer output is available if you want to add deeper bass later.

Tuned for Real Placements, Not Just a Test Bench

Two rear toggle switches let you tell the L/R S how it's actually being used: one adjusts the sound when the speakers sit on a desk (correcting for time alignment and desk reflections), and another reduces mid-bass buildup when they're placed close to a wall. A third switch assigns which speaker acts as the left or right channel, so placement isn't fixed by the cable. Three onboard sound modes — Normal, Voice, and Movie — offer additional tuning for podcasts, dialogue-heavy content, or everyday listening.

Is the Cambridge Audio L/R S Right for You?

• You need speakers for a desk, shelf, or small room. At under 9″ tall and about 5″ wide, the L/R S fits where larger active speakers can't.
• You want simple wired and Bluetooth connectivity. RCA, optical, and USB-C inputs cover most everyday sources, alongside aptX HD Bluetooth for wireless streaming.
• You want a clean, easygoing sound rather than maximum punch. Reviewers found the L/R S even-toned and easy to listen to for long sessions, though rivals in this price range offer more rhythmic drive and dynamic punch.
• You don't need a phono stage or HDMI ARC. Unlike some competing desktop speakers, the L/R S has neither built in; a turntable needs its own phono stage first, and there's no direct TV audio return channel.
• One honest limitation: there are no volume or input controls on the speakers themselves — everything is handled through the included remote, so keep track of it.

Setup, Compatibility & What's Included

This is a fully active design: all amplification and electronics live in the primary speaker, which connects to the secondary speaker using the included 2-meter speaker link cable (a 5-meter cable is available separately for wider placements). Connect a source using RCA, optical, USB-C, or Bluetooth, and control volume, input, and power from the included remote. Included in the box: 2 speakers, a regional mains cable, a 2m speaker link cable, a BLE remote control, and a safety guide. Optional angled desk stands are sold separately and tilt the speakers up toward your listening position.

Key Features

100 Watts of Class D Power
50 watts per speaker drives a 21mm aluminum tweeter and a 76mm long-throw mid/bass driver.

aptX HD Bluetooth Plus Wired Inputs
RCA line-level, optical, and USB-C inputs cover most sources alongside wireless streaming.

Desk and Near-Wall Placement Modes
Rear toggle switches adjust the sound for desktop reflections or close-to-wall placement.

Three Onboard Sound Modes
Normal, Voice, and Movie modes tailor the sound for music, podcasts, or dialogue.

Subwoofer Output
Add a powered subwoofer later for deeper bass without replacing the main speakers.

Six Finish Options
Choose from black, white, green, blue, orange, or a walnut veneer finish.

Specifications

• Type: fully active (powered) 2-way bass-reflex stereo speaker pair
• Sold as: pair (primary speaker houses all amplification and electronics)
• Total power: 100W Class D (50W per speaker)
• Tweeter: 21mm aluminum dome
• Mid/bass driver: 76mm (3″) long-throw
• Enclosure: bass-reflex, rear slot port
• Bluetooth: aptX HD, aptX, SBC, AAC
• Wired inputs: 1x RCA line-level pair, 1x optical (TOSLINK), 1x USB-C
• Digital input resolution: up to 24-bit/96kHz accepted; internally resampled to 24-bit/48kHz
• Outputs: subwoofer output
• Sound modes: Normal, Voice, Movie
• Placement adjustments: desk-top mode, near-wall mode, left/right channel assignment switch
• Control: included remote control (no on-speaker volume or input controls)
• Speaker link cable: 2m included (5m available separately)
• Dimensions (H × W × D): 22.6 × 13.4 × 18 cm (8.9″ × 5.3″ × 7.1″)
• Weight: 3.0 kg (primary speaker), 2.6 kg (secondary speaker)
• Finishes: Black, White, Green, Blue, Orange, Walnut veneer

Awards & Expert Reviews

What Hi-Fi? scored the L/R S 4/5 for sound and 5/5 for build quality, praising its "clean, evenly balanced sound" and calling the build and finish "of a high standard." The review also noted that rival desktop speakers in this price range offer more rhythmic punch and dynamic expression, and pointed out that the L/R S lacks a built-in phono stage, HDMI ARC, and on-unit controls — tradeoffs worth knowing about before you buy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a separate amplifier for the L/R S?

No. The L/R S is fully active, with all the amplification built into the primary speaker. Just connect a source and you're ready to listen.

Can I connect a turntable directly?

Only if your turntable has its own built-in phono stage. The L/R S does not have a phono input, so a standard turntable would need an external phono preamp connected to one of the RCA or line-level inputs first.

Will this work with my TV?

You can connect a TV using the optical or RCA input, but the L/R S does not have an HDMI ARC/eARC input, so you won't get one-cable HDMI integration or TV remote volume control the way you would with the larger L/R M or L/R X.

How is the L/R S different from the L/R M and L/R X?

The L/R S is Bluetooth and wired-only, with no network streaming, HDMI eARC, or phono stage. The L/R M and L/R X add StreamMagic network streaming, HDMI eARC, and a built-in phono stage, along with significantly more power and larger cabinets.

Can I control the speakers without the remote?

Not directly on the speakers themselves — there are no volume or input buttons on the cabinets. All control runs through the included remote, or through your connected device's own volume control when streaming over Bluetooth.

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