The Cambridge Audio AXA35 is an amazing entry-level integrated amplifier for anyone who wants to kickstart their HiFi journey, all thanks to its affordable price point and excellent sonic performance for the money. It is a solid budget amp that doesn’t compromise the sound quality and is highly rated by its users. With the right pair of speakers to match the Cambridge Audio AXA35 and you will be on your way to countless hours of music enjoyment.
An entry-level integrated amp at this price point, the AXA35 will certainly have its own strengths as well as limitations. By learning more about the amplifier sound characteristics and performance, we will then be able to pair the right matching speakers. We are currently preparing a list of the best speakers that you can aim for and partner with the Cambridge Audio AXA35, this list will be shared with you later on.
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Sound Characteristics and Important Specifications of Cambridge Audio AXA35
For a budget integrated amplifier, the Cambridge Audio AXA35 looks stylish and sleek. An amp you will proudly show it off to your guests and will also aesthetically match with modern loudspeakers. The Cambridge Audio AXA35 has a power output of only 35 Watts per channel into 8 Ohms which is low and can be quite a bummer. The frequency response on the other hand is impressive and it is from 5Hz-50kHz (-3dB). With these specs, it is quite obvious the AXA35 is suitable for driving mainly bookshelf speakers that are easy to drive and not power demanding. Floor-standing speakers will be more than likely to be out of the question.
Cambridge Audio AXA35 also comes with features such as a moving magnet phono stage which will be a delight for turntable users. The Rec Output is great as well especially if you are planning to integrate an active subwoofer into the mix. Adding a powered sub will be a cool idea as it will help improve the overall bass performance and produce deep bass which the bookshelf speakers are unable to deliver. There is a headphone output for you to use and listen to your favorite tunes privately without disturbing the others. If we were to nitpick then it will be the lack of a DAC but at this price point, we can’t really complain much.
More Info at Amazon – Cambridge Audio AXA35 Integrated Stereo Amplifier
The energetic performance of the Cambridge Audio AXA35 was above our expectations and there is a good sense of control as well. We never imagined a music delivery with such liveliness and punch from a low-powered amplifier. The punchy performance of the AXA35 will even be more entertaining if we add in an active subwoofer. It should be able to make full use of the Cambridge Audio AXA35 exciting bass performance where you can enjoy that musical impact and bold deep bass reproduction. This will be an excellent amp for home theater use as long an active sub is integrated into it.
Live music playbacks are exciting and have even more energy, the presence can be felt around you as well. The Cambridge Audio AXA35 has precision and impeccable music timing too. The exciting music delivery is coherent and has clarity where we can hear the details without the need to strain our ears. Its overall sound reproduction is neutral and leans toward bright sounding but does not sound harsh or overly bright. The vocals and musical instruments sounded natural. It is really impressive for a budget integrated amplifier to have such a level of accuracy and transparency.
At this price point, the Cambridge Audio AXA35 is really a bang for the buck and especially so for turntable users. You should seriously consider getting an active subwoofer and enjoy the energetic music performance of the Cambridge Audio AXA35. This is definitely one of the best budget amplifiers you should get. We have gathered enough information and data, and will be sharing with you the list of the best speakers which you can go for and match them with your Cambridge Audio AXA35. The price points of these speakers will be taken into account as well.
Cambridge Audio AXA35 Specifications
- Power Outputs: 35 Watts per channel into 8 Ohms
- Frequency Response: 5Hz-50kHz
- Inputs: 4 RCA inputs, 1 Phono input, 1 Aux input
- Outputs: 1 Rec-Out, Headphone output
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 83mm x 430mm x 335mm | 3.3″ x 16.9″ x 13.2″
- Weight: 5.6kg (12.3lbs)
Best Speakers to pair with Cambridge Audio AXA35
The Mission LX-2 is one of the best speakers to pair with the Cambridge Audio AXA35 amplifier. It is a pair of bookshelf speakers with similar characteristics to the AXA35 where it is able to bring out the energy from the music with its speed and alacrity. The Mission LX-2 are punchy performers too and can produce deep bass responses with weight which is impressive for a budget speaker at this size. The bold music presentation of the Cambridge Audio AXA35 and the alacrity of the LX-2 loudspeakers will provide you with an entertaining music experience for hours on end.
More Details at Amazon – Mission LX-2 – Walnut Pearl (Pair)
The Wharfedale Diamond 220 is a multi-award-winning bookshelf speaker which will match well with your Cambridge Audio AXA35. This is a well-balanced speaker with smooth music delivery and has that warm sonic characteristic, providing you with pleasing sound quality. The Diamond 220 also helps with smoothening the rough edges of the AXA35 so that you can listen to the energetic music performance without feeling listener fatigue. It is a fantastic pair of entry-level bookshelf speakers with a very modest price tag and is compact as well. The overall bass performance of the Wharfedale Diamond 220 is exemplary too.
More Info at Amazon – Wharfedale Diamond 220 Speaker (Walnut)
The Klipsch R-41M is one of the best speakers to go for and will be ideal for listeners who prefer bright-sounding speakers. This is a highly efficient pair of stand-mounters where the Cambridge Audio AXA35 can drive them with ease. They also possess an astonishing level of clarity and you can easily hear the music details. The liveliness of the R-41M music delivery will fit in nicely with the AXA35 forward-sounding presentation, providing you with a very exciting listening experience. The highs are crisp and clean as well but we will suggest hearing them out first as the Klipsch R-41M speakers might sound overly bright to some listeners.
More Info at Amazon – Klipsch R-41M Bookshelf Home Speaker
The Monitor Audio Bronze BX2 is another remarkable pair of bookshelf speakers that could keep pace with your Cambridge Audio AXA35 integrated amp. These stand-mounters have the agility to bring out the emotion of the music with exceptional timing and speed while remaining composed and coherent. For a pair of bookshelf speakers at this price point, they are simply brilliant and the Bronze BX2 sonic characteristics will match really well with the AXA35 amplifier. There are also plenty of music details to boot including subtleties and are been delivered out clearly and with high accuracy. It is a terrific speaker partner for your Cambridge Audio AXA35 amplifier.
The Klipsch RP-400M is another highly efficient speaker that will be an ideal match with your Cambridge Audio AXA35 integrated amp. The high speaker sensitivity of the RP-400M enables the AXA35 to drive them to high volume levels and allows the lively energy of the speakers to be projected out into your listening room. Klipsch RP-400Ms are talented all-rounders whose overall sound reproduction is bright and clear sounding. Sonic details can be heard with clarity and also cleanly produced. With the Cambridge Audio AXA35 integrated amp driving the Klipsch RP-400M speakers, you will be able to enjoy an exciting music presentation. It is recommended to listen to them first especially for listeners who are used to warm-sounding audio systems.
More Info at Amazon – Klipsch RP-400M Reference Premiere Bookshelf Speakers
Adding a subwoofer will be a great idea since the Cambridge Audio AXA35 is only powerful enough to drive bookshelf speakers and such loudspeakers are unable to reproduce satisfying bass responses. We will suggest checking out SVS SB-1000 Pro which is a 12″ sealed cabinet subwoofer with 325 Watts RMS power and has a frequency response of 20Hz-270Hz (+/-3dB). Not only the SB-1000 Pro is able to produce very deep bass frequencies, but it also has the musicality and agility to keep pace with the Cambridge Audio AXA35, making it an exceptional subwoofer partner. The modest price tag makes this subwoofer even more attractive.
More Info at Amazon – SVS SB-1000 Pro Sealed Subwoofer
To Sum It Up
The speakers listed here are stand-mounters and if you are interested in floor-standing speakers, we will suggest checking out the Klipsch brand. They have floor-standers that are highly efficient and sensitive but even so, the Cambridge Audio AXA35 may not be able to fully drive them. We will still recommend auditioning the speakers listed here first and see if any of them strike your fancy. They are after all some of the best on the market and will match really well with the Cambridge Audio AXA35 integrated amplifier.
