Head to head
Ruark MR1 Mk3 vs Cambridge Audio L/R S
Two compact British desktop pairs at a similar price. The deciding factor is the Ruark's built-in phono stage against the Cambridge's extra power and aptX HD.
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Both are small two-way pairs for a desk, a bedroom, or a shelf, with optical for a TV, Bluetooth for a phone, and a subwoofer output to grow into. Neither has HDMI or Wi-Fi. The Ruark has a moving-magnet phono stage built in, which is rare at any size, and a What Hi-Fi Award. The Cambridge has twice the power and aptX HD Bluetooth. The one question that decides it: is there a turntable?
| Spec | Ruark MR1 Mk3 Desktop Speaker System A small pair for a desk or turntable, with a phono stage built in View at The Listening Room | Cambridge Audio L/R S Ultra Compact Active Stereo Speakers A music-first compact pair with a tidy input set View on Amazon |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | A small pair for a desk or turntable, with a phono stage built in | A music-first compact pair with a tidy input set |
| Price tier | Budget | Budget |
| TV connection | Optical via 3.5 mm combo jack | Optical TOSLINK |
| Amplifier power | 2 x 25 W Class D | 2 x 50 W |
| Streaming | Bluetooth, no Wi-Fi | Bluetooth aptX HD, no Wi-Fi |
| Phono input | Yes, moving magnet | No |
| Subwoofer out | Yes, RCA | Yes, RCA |
| Size (each) | 202 x 135 x 165 mm | 226 x 134 x 180 mm |
| Awards | What Hi-Fi Award 2025 | Reviewed by What Hi-Fi, no award |
Pick the Ruark MR1 Mk3 if
- You have a turntable and want to plug it straight in with no separate preamp.
- Space is tight; the Ruark is the smaller of the two.
- You want the pair with the award behind it.
Pick the Cambridge Audio L/R if
- You want more volume, or the room is a little larger than a desk or bedroom.
- You stream from your phone and want aptX HD Bluetooth.
- You prefer Cambridge's smooth, easy-going voicing for long listening sessions.
Verdict
Buy the Ruark MR1 Mk3 if there is a turntable in the picture; the built-in phono stage saves you a box and a cable, and What Hi-Fi rate it highly for exactly that use. Buy the Cambridge L/R S if you want more headroom, because twice the amplifier power makes it the better choice once the space grows past a desk. The exception is TV use: neither has HDMI, so for a pair under a television look at the Kanto REN or the Edifier R2750DB MKII instead.
Common questions
- Can either replace a soundbar?
- Only loosely. Both take optical from a TV, but neither has HDMI, so the TV remote will not control the volume. For a TV, a pair with HDMI ARC is the better fit.
- Where can I buy the Ruark?
- It is not sold new on Amazon. The Listening Room stocks it.
- Do I need a subwoofer?
- Not at a desk. In a bedroom or small living room, both have an RCA subwoofer output if you want more bass later.