Cambridge Audio's new desk speakers are some of the best I've ever tested — they punch far above their weight class

Features
By published

Massive sound, tiny box

Cambridge Audio L/R s
(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

Desk speakers can get really boring. Sure, you've got those funky little spherical ones that used to sit by your Dad's PC in the 90s, and there are approximately 1 million different monitor options if you want to mix audio for a living. If, however, you want to listen to the best-sounding music possible while working (and annoying your housemates), there are fewer options.

Well, good options at least. There are Kanto's speakers, of course, as well as the new Creative Pebbles. But I'm generally left wanting — I want something from a brand that really cares about music, and how it sounds on my desktop. Something holographic that knows how to get the most out of a stereo mix.

Enter the Cambridge Audio (sorry Cambridge, I know you've had a rebrand) and the L/R s. They're not the company's first foray into speakers, but they are the first time the brand has distilled its amplifier prowess into something that goes on my desk and makes noises. And good lord — those noises are glorious.

A visual statement of intent

Cambridge Audio L/R s

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

That tweeter, though...

For the most part, the L/R s follow the same design language as most of the best desk speakers. They're a wooden cabinet filled with an amplifier that powers a pair of drivers in the front. The excellent Kanto Ora4 follow the same design trend, and all of the many Edifier speakers we've tested are similar.

But there are some lovely subtleties to the L/R s that set them apart from the competition. The very solid enclosure that all the tech lives in is wonderfully premium looking and feeling, making them a step above the plastic-covered Ora4.

The horn for the tweeter looks magnificent and highlights the orange tweeter dome in the middle. Pair it with the large driver that sits at the bottom of the speaker, and you've a pair of boxes for your desk that are super subtle and minimally attractive. Paired back branding finalises the package — these speakers look more expensive than they are (or will be — you can't buy them yet).

All of the inputs

Cambridge Audio L/R s

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

Look, they don't have Wi-Fi or HDMI — but that's about it. The L/R s have just about every other kind of input that you could possibly want. There are RCA connectors for legacy gear, an optical port for older digital equipment, and a USB-C port for newer ones. There aren't many physical connections I could think of left wanting.

Wireless connection is handled with Bluetooth, with support for aptX HD for better audio. There are only two more connectors on the back of the powered speaker: the connection linking the left and right channels, and a sub-out for larger rooms that might need extra low-end.

Those toggle switches you'll spot next to the connections are some of my favorite parts of the speaker. There's a switch to decide which side the powered speaker is, giving you loads more placement flexibility. Then there are two more switches — one that tells the speaker it's sitting on a desk, and the other that tells the speaker how close it is to a wall.

Both change the sound to suit your setup, and they're a quick and simple way to ensure they sound their best. The alternative would be an application and a customization engine, but I prefer this "click the switch" and leave it approach. Is it as in-depth? No, but I'm not sure it needs to be.

Huge sound, small speakers

Cambridge Audio L/R s

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

For desk speakers, the L/R s are quite large. They're not going to do you any good if you've got a narrow desk — they'll take up most of it. If you're wielding a larger, wider desk, however, they're perfect. Stick one in either corner, angle them towards you, and enjoy some truly epic, holographic sound.

What do I mean by holographic? Well, I'm glad you asked, dear reader. It makes the music sound three-dimensional, rather than rooted to the left and the right. That means voices cemented in the centre, more depth to guitars and the rest of the band. Your music is more present in the space, more tangible. Imagine spatial audio, but more natural and engaging. The L/R s excel with a magically holographic soundstage.

Worm's Necropalace takes me on a blackened vampiric black metal throwback, the vocals centered perfectly while the guitars dance around me. I can see each member of the band as they play, the drummer furiously beating his kit as Phil Tougas rips one of his legendary solos. I could wax lyrical about the frequency response, but the L/R s have that boringly nailed down. It's how BIG everything sounds that really wows here.

Floyd's Comfortably Numb extends the soundstage further, making for one of the most involving sonic experiences you'll have sitting at your desk. The Kanto Ora4 sound great — they're flat, and fairly undynamic so that mixers have a clear picture for their work. The L/R s are all about distracting you from your work with some truly incredible sound. There's too much sonic coloring for mixers, but if you want to really get into the music you listen to, they're looking like the best desktop option you have.

Cambridge's future is looking bright

Cambridge L/R

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

The L/R s are a taster of what the London-based HiFi brand has in store for us in 2026. They're not available to buy Stateside yet, but they land here for around $549, they might just be some of the best speakers for your desk that you can buy, and well woth the slight expense over the likes of the Kanto and Edifier options.

And there's the larger L/R family. The L/R M bring WiFi streaming and HDMI to the table, along with a $1,599 price tag. I've also been lucky enough to try out the $2,299 L/R X (the largest) at a launch event. Neither are desk speakers, but if the L/R s are anything to go by, we're in for a proper sonic treat. I can't want — and I'm loath to send these guys back to Cambridge once I've written their full review. My desk needs some L/R s.

Google News

Follow Tom's Guide on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our up-to-date news, analysis, and reviews in your feeds.

More from Tom's Guide

Tammy Rogers
Tammy Rogers
Audio Editor

Tammy and her generous collection of headphones have found a new home — Tom's Guide! After a two-and-a-half-year stint as iMore's resident audiophile, Tammy's reviews and buying guide expertise have more focus than ever on Tom's Guide, helping buyers find the audio gear that works best for them. Tammy has worked with some of the most desirable audio brands on the planet in her time writing about headphones, speakers, and more, bringing a consumer focussed approach to critique and buying advice. Away from her desk, you'll probably find her in the countryside writing (extremely bad) poetry, or putting her screenwriting Masters to good use creating screenplays that'll never see the light of day.

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.