SpeakerDecision
  • SPEAKERS
    • By Type
      Passive Bookshelf Speakers Passive Floor-standing Speakers Passive Center Channel Speakers Passive In-wall Speakers All Passive Speakers Powered Subwoofers Powered Stereo Speakers
      By Feature
      HDMI Input Room Correction Subwoofer Output Front Firing Port Handheld Remote Roon Ready
      By Brand
      Acoustic Energy Aperion ATC Audio-Technica Audioengine Bluesound Bowers Wilkins Buchardt Cambridge Audio Canton DALI Definitive Technology Dynaudio ELAC Emotiva Fluance Focal Fyne Audio Genelec GoldenEar Harbeth Jamo JBL Kanto KEF KLH Klipsch Leak Mackie Magnepan MartinLogan McIntosh Mission MoFi Monitor Audio Nuvo Onkyo OSD Paradigm Perlisten Polk Audio PS Audio PSB Q Acoustics REL Revel Russound Sennheiser Sonos Sonus faber Sony Spendor SVS Tannoy Technics Triangle Velodyne Victrola Wharfedale Wilson Audio Yamaha
  • AMPLIFIERS
    • By Type
      All Amplifiers Integrated Amplifiers Stereo Receivers Streaming Amplifiers Power Amplifiers Compact Amplifiers
      By Power
      Up to 60 watts 61 to 90 watts 91 to 120 watts 121 to 180 watts Over 180 watts
      By Feature
      HDMI Input Room Correction Subwoofer Output Handheld Remote Roon Ready
      Home Theater
      All Home Theater Receivers Anthem ARCAM Denon Integra JBL Marantz McIntosh NAD Onkyo Sony Yamaha
      Headphone Amps
      All Headphone Amplifiers Cambridge Audio iFi Audio McIntosh Naim Pro-Ject Rotel Schiit Audio Sennheiser Yamaha
      Multi-Zone
      All Multi-Zone Amplifiers JBL McIntosh OSD Rotel Russound Sonos
      By Brand
      Accuphase Advance Paris Anthem Arcam Audio Research AudioControl Audioengine Audiolab Bluesound Bose Buchardt Cambridge Audio Cayin Denon Devialet ELAC Emotiva Eversolo FiiO Fosi Audio Hegel HiFi Rose Integra JBL Layer Audio Design LEAK Luxman Marantz Mark Levinson McIntosh Michi MISSION MOON Musical Fidelity NAD Naim Onkyo OSD Parasound Pass Labs Peachtree PrimaLuna Primare PS Audio Rega Rogue Audio Roksan Rotel Schiit Audio Sonos Sony SVS T+A TEAC Technics Vincent WiiM Yamaha
  • SMART FIND
  • TOOLS
  • BLOG
  1. Home
  2. Passive Bookshelf Speakers
  3. Cambridge Audio MSX20 vs Cambridge Audio MSX10

Cambridge Audio MSX20 vs Cambridge Audio MSX10 Comparison

x
Speaker to replace
Change

Cambridge Audio MSX20

Passive Bookshelf | 120-20k Hz

Cambridge Audio MSX20
Check price atAmazon›
Change
    
Cambridge Audio MSX10

Passive Bookshelf | 150-20k Hz

Cambridge Audio MSX10
Check price atAmazon›
Cambridge Audio MSX20 Cambridge Audio MSX2...
Check price atAmazon›
Cambridge Audio MSX10 Cambridge Audio MSX1...
Check price atAmazon›
Cambridge Audio MSX2...
See at AMAZON
Cambridge Audio MSX1...
See at AMAZON

Cambridge Audio MSX20 vs Cambridge Audio MSX10 Speaker Comparison

In this review, we will be comparing MSX20 and MSX10, two Passive Bookshelf speakers by Cambridge Audio.

Let's have a brief look at the main features of Cambridge Audio MSX20 and Cambridge Audio MSX10 first before getting into our more detailed comparison.

Key SpecsCambridge Audio MSX20Cambridge Audio MSX10
BrandCambridge Audio
United Kingdom · founded 1968
Cambridge Audio
United Kingdom · founded 1968
Design2-way1-way
Frequency response120-20k Hz150-20k Hz
Sensitivity88 dB86 dB
Impedance8 ohms8 ohms
Weight0.75kg / 1.7lbs0.43kg / 0.9lbs
Dimensions (H x W x D)6-1/8" x 3-1/8" x 3-13/16"
155.6 x 79.4 x 96.8mm
3-1/8" x 3-1/8" x 3-13/16"
79.4 x 79.4 x 96.8mm

The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.


Drivers

One of the fundamental differences between these two speakers is that MSX20 is a 2-way design whereas the MSX10 is a 1-way speaker. 3-way designs utilize a midrange driver in addition to the tweeter and woofer on 2-way designs. Designing a crossover for a 3-way speaker is a complicated process and generally increases the overall cost of the speaker.

Midrange - 2.25 inch
Cambridge Audio MSX20
Midrange - 2.25 inch
Cambridge Audio MSX10

Midrange

Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.

Driver Cambridge Audio MSX20 Cambridge Audio MSX10
Driver Setup 2-way 1-way
Tweeter -inch -inch
Midrange - -
Woofer 2 x -inch 1 x -inch

MSX20 features a " Tweeter and 2 x " Woofer. On the other hand, the MSX10 features a " Tweeter and 1 x " Woofer.

Frequency Response

MSX20 has a frequency range of 120-20k Hz whereas MSX10 has a frequency range of 150-20k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 120Hz, the MSX20 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the MSX10's min frequency of 150Hz.

The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Bookshelf class in our database.

Low Frequency

Bookshelf Speakers

MSX20
MSX10
Min
Average
Median

Neither pair reaches down to 20Hz, the usual definition of full-range, which is normal for speakers of this size. If you want the bottom octave for movies or bass-heavy music, add a subwoofer to whichever you choose. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.

Impedance and Sensitivity

MSX20 and MSX10 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. MSX20 sensitivity is rated at 88 dB and the MSX10's is at 86 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the Cambridge Audio MSX20 a more sensitive speaker compared to Cambridge Audio MSX10, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.

Sensitivity

Bookshelf Speakers

MSX20
MSX10
Min
Average
Median

Which plays louder on your amplifier?

Starting with a popular amplifier - change it to the one you own, or any you are considering, and watch both numbers move.

Cambridge Audio MSX20
 
Cambridge Audio MSX10
 

Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring

MSX20 features Binding post type posts and MSX10 has a Binding post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.

Physical Specs

The size of a speaker can sometimes be an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare Cambridge Audio MSX20's and Cambridge Audio MSX10's external dimensions. Cambridge Audio MSX20 has external dimensions of 155.6 x 79.4 x 96.8mm () whereas Cambridge Audio MSX10 has external dimensions of 79.4 x 79.4 x 96.8mm ().

Size, drawn to scale

FRONTCambridge Audio MSX20 front: 79 x 156 mm (3.1 x 6.1 in)Cambridge Audio MSX10 front: 79 x 79 mm (3.1 x 3.1 in)Cambridge Audio MSX2079 × 156 mmCambridge Audio MSX1079 × 79 mmTOP / FOOTPRINTCambridge Audio MSX20 footprint: 79 x 97 mm (3.1 x 3.8 in)Cambridge Audio MSX10 footprint: 79 x 97 mm (3.1 x 3.8 in)Cambridge Audio MSX2079 × 97 mmCambridge Audio MSX1079 × 97 mm
Both speakers and both views share one scale, so everything here is directly comparable. Hover a box for its dimensions.

One scale for both, standing on the same surface and pushed back to the same wall, so the deeper one visibly sticks out further.

Near-identical footprints. Cambridge Audio MSX20 is 76mm taller.

Base Surface Area Comparison
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited. The base surface area of the Cambridge Audio MSX20 is approximately 76.9cm2 / 11.9inch2 and base area of the Cambridge Audio MSX10 is approximately 76.9cm2 / 11.9inch2.

Weight Comparison

The weight of a loudspeaker can become an important factor if you need to move and reposition the unit often. Weight of a speaker can also "sometimes" be an indicator of the rigidity of the enclosure and the quality of the internal components used. The Cambridge Audio MSX20 weighs 0.75kg / 1.7lbs and the Cambridge Audio MSX10 weighs 0.43kg / 0.9lbs. This makes the MSX20 74% heavier than the MSX10.

Here is a comparison of how MSX20 and MSX10's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.

Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
Cambridge Audio MSX20
Cambridge Audio MSX10
Min
Average
Max

Reasons to choose Cambridge Audio MSX20 over Cambridge Audio MSX10

Driver Setup 2-way vs 1-way Have a dedicated mid-range driver
Sensitivity 88 dB vs 86 dB Play louder with same amount of amplification power
Number of Woofers 2 vs 1 More woofers
Low Frequency Response 120 Hz vs 150 Hz Generates deeper bass

Reasons to choose Cambridge Audio MSX10 over Cambridge Audio MSX20

Height 79mm vs 155mm Easier to fit in smaller spaces

Cambridge Audio MSX20 vs Cambridge Audio MSX10 Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications
General Cambridge Audio MSX20 Cambridge Audio MSX10
Brand Cambridge Audio Cambridge Audio
Speaker Type Bookshelf speakers Bookshelf speakers
Sensitivity 88 dB 86 dB
Impedance 8 ohms 8 ohms
Frequency Response 120-20k Hz 150-20k Hz
Drivers
Woofer Quantity 2 1
Woofer Size " "
Woofer Composition
Tweeter Size - -
Aimable Tweeter No No
Midrange Driver 2.25" 2.25"
Physical Specs
Height 155.6mm (6.1") 79.4mm (3.1")
Width 79.4mm (3.1") 79.4mm (3.1")
Depth 96.8mm (3.8") 96.8mm (3.8")
Weight 0.75kg (1.7lbs) 0.43kg (0.9lbs)
Enclosure
Finish Die-Cast Aluminum Die-Cast Aluminum
Available Colors White White
Mounting Bracket
Moisture Resistancy No No
Connections
Other
Parts Warranty 2 Years 2 Years
Labor Warranty 2 Years 2 Years

Verdict

Both are Cambridge Audio, from different ranges - so the house sound is shared and the differences are mostly in scale, engineering and price.

AreaBetterWhy
BassACambridge Audio MSX20 digs deeper - 120Hz against 150Hz.
Amplifier needsACambridge Audio MSX20 is more sensitive (88dB vs 86dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier.
SizedependsCambridge Audio MSX10 is easier to place; Cambridge Audio MSX20 is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides.

A Cambridge Audio MSX20  B Cambridge Audio MSX10
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, your system or how you will use them. Only specs published for both speakers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.

Which should you choose?

Cambridge Audio MSX20 has the edge on paper, though the margin is not large. The rows marked "depends" may matter more to you than the score does. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 150Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. In a large or open-plan room, Cambridge Audio MSX20 has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, Cambridge Audio MSX10 is the easier speaker to get right.

And remember what a spec sheet cannot show: how each looks in your room and whether the finish suits it, what dealer support and warranty are like where you live, and how they actually sound to you. If you can hear them first - ideally with your own music - that will tell you more than any number above.


Most Popular Speakers
Klipsch Reference R-51M
Klipsch R-51M
2-way | 93 dB | 8 ohms
ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2
ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2
2-way | 87 dB | 6 ohms
Wharfedale Elysian 2
Wharfedale Elysian 2
3-way | 89 dB | 4 ohms
KEF Q150
KEF Q150
2-way | 86 dB | 8 ohms
Bowers & Wilkins 606 S2 Anniversary Edition
B&W 606 S2
2-way | 88 dB | 8 ohms
Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-500M
Klipsch RP-500M
2-way | 93 dB | 8 ohms
Wharfedale EVO5.1
Wharfedale EVO5.1
2-way | 87 dB | 4 ohms
Wharfedale EVO4.1
Wharfedale EVO4.1
2-way | 87 dB | 8 ohms
This site contains affiliate links. We may be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through one of them. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Copyright © 2026 by SpeakerDecision
About Privacy Contact US Camera Decision

Report a Correction