By: Dipin Sehdev

Cambridge Audio is clearly not easing into 2026 quietly. The company has officially announced its new L/R Series, a three-model lineup of powered stereo speakers designed to blend classic hi-fi values with modern streaming convenience. It’s a notable move for a brand best known for traditional separates, and it also highlights a broader trend we’re seeing across the industry: more and more audio companies are investing heavily in powered speaker systems.

That’s a good thing. The more competition we see in this space, the better the end result is for listeners. Better designs, more features, and sharper pricing tend to follow when brands are forced to push harder—and Cambridge Audio is definitely pushing here.

The L/R Series consists of three models—L/R X, L/R M, and L/R S—each designed for different rooms, budgets, and listening habits. From a flagship, room-filling system to a compact Bluetooth-based speaker for desks and smaller spaces, Cambridge is clearly aiming to cover a lot of ground without overlapping too much.

Powered Speakers Are Having a Moment—and Cambridge Is Leaning In

Powered speakers aren’t new, but they’re having a real moment right now. As streaming becomes the default way people listen to music and more consumers want fewer boxes, fewer cables, and simpler setups, traditional hi-fi brands are being forced to rethink how they deliver great sound.

Cambridge Audio’s answer with the L/R Series is straightforward: take what they already do well—acoustic engineering, clean amplification, and neutral tuning—and wrap it in an all-in-one package that doesn’t feel compromised.

All three L/R speakers are designed and engineered in London and share a bold, modern aesthetic. They’ll be offered in six finishes, including black, white, blue, green, orange, and a Real Walnut option for those who prefer a more traditional look. It’s a colorful lineup that feels intentional rather than gimmicky.

A New Tweeter Takes Center Stage

One of the biggest technical stories here is Cambridge Audio’s new 28mm Torus tweeter, which debuts in the L/R X and L/R M models. Rather than using a conventional dome-and-back-chamber design, the Torus tweeter employs a doughnut-shaped rear chamber that forms a tapered internal horn.

The idea is to absorb rear energy more effectively, reduce unwanted reflections, and lower distortion—especially at higher output levels. The tweeter also uses a dual-radius aluminum dome with a larger surface area than a typical 25mm design, which Cambridge says improves efficiency and dispersion.

In practical terms, this should translate to cleaner highs, better off-axis response, and more consistent imaging whether you’re sitting dead center or moving around the room.

The more compact L/R S doesn’t use the Torus tweeter. Instead, it relies on a 21mm aluminum hard-dome tweeter paired with a custom waveguide. That’s a sensible decision given the size, price, and intended use of the speaker.

L/R X: Big Power, Big Ambitions

At the top of the lineup sits the L/R X, and Cambridge Audio isn’t being shy about what it’s trying to do here. This is a serious powered speaker system designed to challenge traditional floorstanding setups.

Each speaker features a 2.5-way acoustic design with a 28mm Torus tweeter, dual 5-inch woofers, and dual 6-inch force-cancelling passive radiators. Power comes from a massive 800 watts of Class D amplification—400 watts per speaker.

That’s a lot of muscle for a bookshelf-style speaker, and Cambridge clearly wants L/R X owners to feel like they’re not giving anything up by skipping passive speakers and external amps.

On the connectivity side, L/R X includes Cambridge Audio’s StreamMagic Gen 4 platform, offering Wi-Fi and Ethernet streaming with support for TIDAL Connect, Spotify Connect, Qobuz Connect, Amazon Music, Deezer, Roon Ready, UPnP, and Internet Radio. Multi-room support is handled via AirPlay 2 and Google Cast.

There’s also HDMI eARC for TV integration, Bluetooth, USB Audio, optical and analog inputs, a moving-magnet phono stage for turntables, and a subwoofer output. Speaker-to-speaker communication can be handled via USB-C or wirelessly using WiSA HT, which is a nice touch for flexible room placement.

L/R M: Scaled Down, Still Serious

The L/R M sits in the middle of the lineup and may end up being the sweet spot for many listeners. It shares the same StreamMagic foundation and Torus tweeter as the flagship model but scales things down for smaller rooms.

Here you get dual 4-inch woofers, smaller force-cancelling passive radiators, and 300 watts of total system power—150 watts per speaker. That’s still plenty for most living rooms, especially when paired with the speaker’s controlled tuning and optional subwoofer output.

Connectivity mirrors the L/R X closely, including HDMI eARC, Bluetooth, USB Audio, optical input, analog input, a phono stage, and Wi-Fi streaming. Like the flagship, the L/R M also features subtle LED under-lighting for a bit of visual flair.

L/R S: Compact, Accessible, and Purpose-Built

The most affordable model is the L/R S, and it’s designed with simplicity in mind. This is a compact powered speaker intended for desks, bedrooms, kitchens, or smaller living spaces.

The L/R S uses a 3-inch long-throw woofer paired with a rear bass-reflex port and a 21mm tweeter. Power comes from 100 watts of Class D amplification, which should be more than sufficient for nearfield and casual listening.

Wireless playback is handled via Bluetooth aptX HD, and physical connections include USB Audio, optical, analog input, and a subwoofer output. There’s no Wi-Fi streaming here, but that’s clearly a deliberate decision to keep the speaker focused and affordable.

Competition Is Good—and This Is Proof

What’s most interesting about the L/R Series isn’t just the specs—it’s what it represents. Cambridge Audio is joining a growing list of traditional hi-fi brands that are taking powered speakers seriously, and that competition is already paying off.

As more companies enter this space, we’re seeing better engineering, more thoughtful feature sets, and fewer compromises. That’s great news for listeners who want excellent sound without the complexity of a traditional hi-fi rack.

Pricing and Availability

• Cambridge Audio L/R S
  Available Spring 2026
  $549 / £399 / €499
  Real Walnut: $599 / £449 / €549

• Cambridge Audio L/R M
  Available Summer 2026
  $1,599 / £1,199 / €1,399
  Real Walnut: $1,699 / £1,299 / €1,499

• Cambridge Audio L/R X
  Available Summer 2026
  $2,299 / £1,799 / €1,999
  Real Walnut: $2,399 / £1,899 / €2,099

All models will be available through Cambridge Audio’s website and select global retailers.

Cambridge Audio is coming out swinging in 2026, and the L/R Series makes it clear they’re serious about powered speakers. With strong engineering, modern connectivity, and a clear sense of fun, this lineup adds meaningful competition to an increasingly crowded—and increasingly exciting—category.