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Cambridge Audio R40 Floorstanding Loudspeakers As usual I have simply accumulated too many speakers and still have some I want to build, some on order! Culling is painful but necessary from time to time. The Cambridge Audio R40 use a familiar group of KEF drivers, (bass, mid and tweeter) but in a unique enclosure. It has a very small port on the front, hardly noticeable, down low. Sound - not like KEF Concerto - much more sophisticated! Excellent fine detail, midrange, and a well-controlled bass. The grilles are a bit of a pain to remove or put back, held on by about eight small screws. But th
The Ask
At AUD$490, this is a fair price for a Cambridge Audio R40 in good condition. These 1970s transmission-line speakers with KEF drivers (B139 woofer, B110 midrange, T27 tweeter) rarely surface in Australia, which makes direct comparisons tricky. Comparable vintage speakers from that era typically fetch AUD$300–600 depending on condition and rarity. The R40's 8-ohm impedance and modest 25W RMS rating make them easy to drive with modest vintage or modern amplifiers, which adds practical appeal. The inclusion of the original user handbook is a genuine bonus and suggests careful ownership.
Before You Buy
Verify the condition of all three drivers—particularly the foam surrounds on the woofer and midrange, which commonly deteriorate after 50+ years and will require professional reconing if failed. Ask the seller to confirm both cabinets are free of cracks or warping, and request a brief listening demo if possible to check for rattle or distortion. Confirm postage costs upfront; at roughly 24 kilos per pair, shipping will be substantial and could shift the overall value proposition significantly depending on your location.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
Cambridge Audio emerged from the innovative spirit of 1960s Britain, founded in Cambridge, United Kingdom, by a group of young engineers who spun off from Cambridge Consulting Group. Established in 1968, the brand launched with the groundbreaking P40 integrated amplifier—the first to employ a toroidal transformer, setting a new standard for dynamic power delivery in hi-fi design that endures in high-end gear today. This heritage of British engineering excellence propelled decades of award-winning products, navigating ownership changes including a revival under entrepreneur Vince Adams and acquisition in 1994 by Julian Richer and James Johnson-Flint of Richer Sounds.
The brand excels across core hi-fi categories, renowned for integrated amplifiers like the iconic A1 and P-series, alongside streaming DACs, network players, turntables, and all-in-one systems that prioritize pure analogue warmth and digital precision. Speakers, headphones, and cables round out a cohesive ecosystem, emphasizing accessible high performance without excess frills.
Positioned firmly in the mid-tier market, Cambridge Audio delivers premium British sound—detailed, rhythmic, and uncolored—at prices that democratize quality for discerning buyers. Free from corporate bloat, it holds a reputation for reliability and value, appealing to enthusiasts seeking sophisticated hi-fi that punches above its weight rather than chasing ultra-high-end esoterica.
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