This is a modestly priced integrated amplifier with high power outputs and comes with a few features that most listeners will find very useful. The Cambridge Audio CXA80 is well received and rated for its excellent sonic performance. With the additional power, will it be able to outshine its smaller sibling the CXA60? There is a possibility but one thing is for sure, you will need a pair of matching speakers to bring out the best sound quality from the Cambridge Audio CXA80.
Finding the right pair of loudspeakers will take some effort and time as first we need to learn more about the Cambridge Audio CXA80 integrated amp. With a better understanding of its sonic merits and characteristics, we can then prepare a list of the best speakers which you can aim for and match them with your CXA80. This list will be shared with you later so do continue to read on.
Table of Contents
Sound Characteristics and Important Specifications of Cambridge Audio CXA80
The sleek minimalistic front panel of the CXA80 amplifier looks stylish and elegant, it will certainly match aesthetically well with most modern loudspeakers currently out on the market. Cambridge Audio CXA80 will look great in any listening room too. Visually, this integrated amplifier has no problem but what is more important will be its sonic prowess. It has a high-powered output of 80 Watts per channel into 8 Ohms and 120 Watts per channel into 4 Ohms. The frequency response is really impressive for an amp at this price point which will be 5Hz-60kHz (+/-1dB). These enable the CXA80 to be able to drive most bookshelf speakers including the slightly more demanding ones. Floor-standing speakers are also options that we can go for but we will be gunning for the ones which are not difficult to drive.
There are handy features such as the built-in DAC Wolfson WM8740 and it supports up to 24-bit/192kHz resolution. There is also a preamp and subwoofer output which will be useful if you need more power or require bass supplements from an active subwoofer. It is a bummer that you will need to purchase an adaptor (BT100) to get the Bluetooth feature though. The Cambridge Audio CXA80 does not come with a phono stage and turntable users have to look elsewhere for a phono preamplifier.
More Details at Amazon – Cambridge Audio CXA80 Amplifier with Built-in DAC
The stereo imaging of the Cambridge Audio CXA80 is simply amazing, it is accurate and precisely places each musician/instrument on an open soundstage. They are highly defined and well separated, providing us with a holographic music performance that left us astounded as to how an integrated amplifier at this price point can deliver such exceptional sonic performance. The high-resolution music presentation is also packed with intricacies and subtleties where it makes each musician sound realistic and natural due to the amount of information we are receiving from the Cambridge Audio CXA80 amplifier.
There is weight as well which makes the music performance even more tangible. The overall bass performance of the Cambridge Audio CXA80 is accurate and tightly delivered with agility. This allows the low ends to blend in nicely with the rest of the frequencies without muddling them. Still, a little more impact and punch would be nice. The overall sound reproduction of the CXA80 is clean and accurate with exceptionally high clarity, enabling us to hear plenty of music details. It can sound a bit too bright for some listeners but the Cambridge Audio CXA80 does not sound harsh even when pushed.
It is a neutral-sounding integrated amplifier, leaning slightly towards the bright side and the overall accuracy is superb for an amp at this price point. The Cambridge Audio CXA80 may have a lack of features but the sound quality makes it a worthy investment. It does sound a bit more polite and refined than the more expressive CXA81. Even so, we still find it very enjoyable to listen to the CXA80. With the data and information we have gathered, it is time for us to show you the list of the best speakers which you can go for and pair them with your Cambridge Audio CXA80 integrated amp.
Cambridge Audio CXA80 Specifications
- Power Outputs: 80 Watts per channel into 8 Ohms, 120 Watts per channel into 4 Ohms
- Frequency Response: 5Hz-60kHz (+/-1dB)
- DAC: Wolfson WM8740
- Wireless: Bluetooth Optional (requires additional adaptor BT100)
- Inputs: 4 RCA inputs, 1 Balanced XLR input, 1 MP3 input, 1 Coaxial input, 2 Optical inputs, 1 USB input
- Outputs: 1 Preamp output, 1 Subwoofer output, Headphone output
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 115mm x 430mm x 341mm | 4.5″ x 16.9″ x 13.4″
- Weight: 8.7kg (19.1lbs)
Best Speakers to pair with Cambridge Audio CXA80
If you prefer to have a more expressive and forward-sounding system, pairing the Dali Oberon 5 with your Cambridge Audio CXA80 amplifier will be an excellent choice. The Dali Oberon 5 is one of the best floor-standing speakers in its price range and has received many accolades over the years. They have an entertaining music presentation that is dynamic and energetic without compromising the clarity of the subtle details. The Oberon 5s are punchy performers as well and their bass reproductions have plenty of weight in them. The Cambridge Audio CXA80 has enough muscles to efficiently drive these brilliant floor-standers.
More Details at Amazon – Dali Oberon 5 – Dark Walnut
The Q Acoustics 3050 is another excellent floor-standing speaker to go for and match it with your Cambridge Audio CXA80. This is a pair of floor-standers that have won multiple awards due to its amazing sonic performance at a modest price. It is a well-balanced loudspeaker and will fit in nicely with the sonic characteristics of the CXA80 amplifier. The Q Acoustics 3050 does add in a more full-bodied music presentation with large-scale sound and punchier bass performance. They are also musically refined, quite easy-going, and do not go overly bright on us which is great.
More Details at Amazon – Q Acoustics 3050 (Graphite)
The Wharfedale Evo4.2 is one of the best bookshelf speakers to pair with your Cambridge Audio CXA80. This is a pair of large size stand-mounters and has the capability of projecting a spacious soundstage. The stereo imaging is impeccable and the separation is equally good. Their forgiving nature helps to ease the harshness of the Cambridge Audio CXA80 amp. The Wharfedale Evo4.2 speakers will be a terrific match especially for listeners who are looking for a more laid-back music presentation. These bookshelf speakers have a smooth and pleasing sound quality, not to mention, warm sonic characteristics.
More Details at Amazon – Wharfedale Evo4.2
The KEF Q350 is a pair of remarkable bookshelf speakers and the Cambridge Audio CXA80 has the power to drive them with ease. They are balanced and neutral-sounding speakers, able to dig out lots of information and produce these music details out in spade. The KEF Q350 also has an astonishing level of clarity, providing us with a clear and clean-sounding music presentation. Q350s deep bass reproduction is equally impressive as well. The KEF Q350 speakers provided us with a large soundscape and rich music presentations. These are musically refined bookshelf speakers and will be worth your time to audition them.
More Details at Amazon – KEF Q350 (Pair, Black)
The Dynaudio Emit M20 is one of the best speakers to go with the Cambridge Audio CXA80 integrated amplifier. These bookshelf speakers really know how to bring out the emotional energy from any music and deliver an entertaining presentation of our favorite tunes. There is a wide dynamic range and the snappy attacks of the Emit M20 do complement the Cambridge Audio CXA80 really well. They are also revealing speakers and do not show mercy to bad recordings. The engaging music performance of the Dynaudio Emit M20 stand-mounters will help to provide a bit more fun during your music listening session without compromising the sound quality.
More Details at Amazon – Dynaudio Emit M20 – Satin Black
This is a multi-award-winning bookshelf speaker and is still well-regarded even after all these years. The Q Acoustics Concept 20 is a sensational pair of bookshelf speakers with exceptional sonic performance and top sound quality in its price range. These speakers are worth every penny invested and will match really well with the Cambridge Audio CXA80. Concept 20s are refined and have a pleasing sound quality without losing their clarity and have a knack for remaining composed no matter how tough the music passage is. They do help to smoothen the rough edges of the Cambridge Audio CXA80 integrated amp by a little and give their listeners a slightly more relaxed music delivery.
More Details at Amazon – Q Acoustics Concept 20 (White)
To Sum It Up
For listeners who have a small listening room, you might want to go for bookshelf speakers, and those who have larger rooms should take a look at the listed floor-standers. If possible, you might want to audition the chosen speakers in your own listening room for a more accurate result. It is always best to listen to the speakers first before making your decision as you can find out if you like the sound quality or not. Sometimes, you may need to do a few rounds of speaker auditions but the time and effort spent are well worth it.
