In this review, we will be comparing two different types of speakers by Cambridge Audio. Cambridge Audio SX-70 is a Center Channel speaker whereas the SX-60 is a Bookshelf speaker.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Cambridge Audio SX-70 and Cambridge SX-60 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Cambridge Audio SX-70 | Cambridge SX-60 |
|---|
| Brand | Cambridge Audio
United Kingdom · founded 1968 | Cambridge Audio
United Kingdom · founded 1968 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" dome | 1" Soft-Dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 2 x 4" treated-paper | 6.5" Treated paper |
|---|
| Frequency response | 65-22k Hz | 41-22k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 85 dB | 89 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 10-100 watts | 20-100 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 4.00kg / 8.8lbs | 5.00kg / 11lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 5-7/16" x 14-1/4" x 9-3/4"
139.0 x 362.0 x 248.0mm | 13-7/16" x 7-15/16" x 10-7/8"
342.0 x 202.0 x 277.0mm |
|---|
SX-70 and SX-60 are members of Cambridge Audio's SX series of speakers. Below you can find the loudspeakers from this series.
Cambridge Audio SX Series
History
|
Model |
Body |
Frequency |
Sensitivity | Impedance | Woofer |
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both SX-70 and SX-60 are 2-way speakers.
Cambridge Audio SX-70Cambridge SX-60
TweeterWoofer
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 SX-70 |
Cambridge SX-60 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 4-inch
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
SX-70 features a 1" Silk dome Tweeter and 2 x 4" treated-paper Woofer. On the other hand, the SX-60 features a 1" Silk Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Treated paper Woofer.
Frequency Response
SX-70 has a frequency range of 65-22k Hz whereas SX-60 has a frequency range of 41-22k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 41Hz, the SX-60 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the SX-70's min frequency of 65Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Center Channel class in our database.
Low Frequency
Center Channel Speakers
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
SX-70 and SX-60 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. SX-70 sensitivity is rated at 85 dB and the SX-60's is at 89 dB. This 4 dB difference makes the Cambridge SX-60 a more sensitive speaker compared to Cambridge Audio SX-70, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Center Channel Speakers
Power Range
Power
range is the range of input power in watts RMS that a loudspeaker is designed to handle. Staying
within that range gives nominal performance; driving the speaker beyond its maximum wattage can damage it.
Both handle the same maximum of 100 watts RMS, though SX-70 is rated 10-100 watts and SX-60 20-100 watts.
Note that higher power handling does not make a speaker louder: that depends mainly on
sensitivity and impedance. The calculator below shows how loud each of these actually plays
on a real amplifier.
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.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
SX-70 features Post type posts and SX-60 has a Post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Cambridge SX-60's Post terminals
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 SX-70's and Cambridge SX-60's external dimensions. Cambridge Audio SX-70 has external dimensions of 139.0 x 362.0 x 248.0mm (5-7/16 x 14-1/4 x 9-3/4inch) whereas Cambridge SX-60 has external dimensions of 342.0 x 202.0 x 277.0mm (13-7/16 x 7-15/16 x 10-7/8inch).
Cambridge Audio SX-70 is 203mm shorter and 29mm less deeper than Cambridge SX-60 but it is also 160mm wider.
Size, drawn to scale
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.
Cambridge Audio SX-70 needs about 60% more floor or shelf area. Cambridge SX-60 is 29mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Cambridge SX-60 is 203mm 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 SX-70 is approximately 897.8cm2 / 139.2inch2 and base area of the Cambridge SX-60 is approximately 559.5cm2 / 86.7inch2. The SX-70 requires 60% more surface area than the SX-60 which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.
What's in the Box of Cambridge Audio SX-70?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of SX-70:
- Center-channel loudspeaker
- Grille
- 4 Self-adhesive rubber feet
- Installation Guide
What's in the Box of Cambridge SX-60?
Here are the items that come with the SX-60:
- 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
- 2 Grilles
- 8 Self-adhesive feet
- 2 Foam port inserts
- Installation Guide