Whether placed freely on stands, on a lowboard, or right up against a wall—a speaker’s placement plays a major role in its sound. Especially in the bass range, room resonances can cause rumbling and a bloated sound. Cambridge Audio is therefore expanding its StreamMagic platform to include RoomMagic, an automatic room calibration feature. Owners of the L/R M and L/R X streaming active speakers will receive this feature as a free update starting November 11, 2026.
Two Measurements Using a Smartphone
RoomMagic uses the built-in microphone of a smartphone or tablet for calibration. The feature is integrated into the StreamMagic app for iOS and Android. According to Cambridge Audio, setup takes just a few minutes.
The process involves two measurements. First, the microphone is calibrated near the speaker so that the software can account for the characteristics of the specific mobile device. This is followed by the actual room measurement at the listening position. Using the measurement data and the speaker’s known frequency response under controlled conditions, RoomMagic calculates a correction profile for the specific setup.
Bass Correction with Three Target Curves
The filters focus on the low frequencies. In this range, room dimensions, proximity to walls, and speaker placement can cause particularly pronounced peaks. RoomMagic is designed to specifically reduce these effects and reproduce the bass in a more controlled manner.
Cambridge Audio developed the software in-house and tailors the correction to the speakers’ intended tuning. To accommodate personal preferences, there are three target curves with different sound characteristics to choose from. Additionally, the intensity of the correction can be adjusted using a slider.
Our Experience with the L/R Series
Our review of the Cambridge Audio L/R X already demonstrated just how important speaker placement is. This pair of active speakers impressed with their lively sound, dynamics, and powerful, punchy bass. However, when placed too close to the wall, the bass drums could sound a bit too boomy. The room correction feature available at the time, including an equalizer, helped; to achieve truly clean low-end bass, we also moved the speakers further away from the wall. RoomMagic is now designed to automate the adjustment for such room effects.
We’ve also had a chance to listen to the smaller model in detail. In our review of the Cambridge Audio L/R S, these compact Bluetooth powered speakers impressed us with their balanced sound and surprisingly rich bass for their size. Their placement can be adjusted using switches on the speakers. The RoomMagic update is designed for the two streaming models, the L/R M and L/R X.
Free Update for the App and Speakers
To use RoomMagic, you’ll need the latest StreamMagic app and the appropriate firmware for the speakers. Owners should first update the app and then use it to update the firmware on their L/R M or L/R X speakers. The software update is available for free online.
