Head to head
Klipsch The Sevens II vs Cambridge Audio L/R X
The two premium powered pairs in the catalog: Klipsch's TV-first system with Dirac Live against Cambridge Audio's 800 W streaming flagship. The deciding factor is room correction versus raw power and Roon.
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Both pairs replace a receiver and a soundbar in a main living room, and both have HDMI, Wi-Fi streaming, a moving-magnet phono stage, and a subwoofer output. The Klipsch is built around the TV, with dual HDMI 2.1 ports and a Dirac Live room-correction licence included. The Cambridge is built around power and streaming, with 400 watts a side and Roon Ready certification. The one question that decides it: is your room's bass a problem you need fixed?
| Spec | Cambridge Audio L/R X Advanced Active Stereo Streaming Speakers A full main-room system without a rack of components View on Amazon | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | A TV-first system with real room correction | A full main-room system without a rack of components |
| Price tier | Premium | Premium |
| TV connection | Dual HDMI 2.1 with eARC, in and out | HDMI eARC, plus optical |
| Room correction | Dirac Live, licence included | None |
| Amplifier power | 190 W maximum, bi-amped | 800 W total (2 x 400 W) |
| Drivers | Two-way horn-loaded | Two-way active |
| Streaming | AirPlay 2, Google Cast, Spotify, Tidal and Qobuz Connect | StreamMagic Gen 4: AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Roon Ready |
| Phono input | Yes, moving magnet | Yes, moving magnet |
| Independent reviews | ecoustics Editors' Choice, 8/10 | Hands-on impressions only |
Pick the Klipsch The Sevens if
- Your room has boomy or uneven bass and you want it measured and corrected.
- You want an HDMI input as well as eARC, so a console or streaming box can plug straight into the speakers.
- You want the pair with a published full review behind it.
Pick the Cambridge Audio L/R if
- The room is large and you want the most power and cabinet in the category.
- You use Roon, or want Chromecast and AirPlay 2 from one app.
- You prefer Cambridge's smooth voicing over Klipsch's bold, horn-loaded sound.
Verdict
Buy the Klipsch The Sevens II for a TV-first room, because Dirac Live in the box fixes the single biggest problem most living rooms have, and the extra HDMI input makes it a true receiver replacement. Buy the Cambridge L/R X for a large room or a Roon setup, where 800 watts and StreamMagic Gen 4 outclass anything else here. The exception is setup patience: reviewers found the Klipsch's Wi-Fi setup fiddly, so expect to spend an evening on it.
Common questions
- What does Dirac Live do?
- It measures your room with a microphone and corrects the peaks and dips that walls and furniture create, mostly in the bass. It is the most effective upgrade for most rooms, and on The Sevens II the licence is included rather than sold separately.
- Do these sound different?
- Yes. Klipsch's horn-loaded tweeters sound bold and forward; Cambridge voices for smooth, unfatiguing listening. Which you prefer is personal, and both are a long way above a soundbar.
- Can I add a subwoofer?
- Both have a subwoofer output, and both are stereo pairs. A sub is worth adding to either in a large room for movies.