When people talk about compact audio systems, they often mean simple speakers for background music. But Cambridge Audio One defies these expectations. This device proves that even a modestly sized device can become the heart of a true Hi-Fi system.
Behind its simple and elegant design lies some serious hardware. It has everything: an amplifier, a streaming player, support for a wide variety of sources — from vinyl to music from your smartphone. The system is designed for those who appreciate high-quality sound but don't want to deal with a bunch of separate components.
In this article, we'll check out what the Cambridge Audio One is really capable of. We'll see how it handles different genres of music, whether it's convenient for everyday use, and whether it's worth the money. Ready to discover a system that's much more than meets the eye?
The compact Cambridge Audio One audio system looks simple, but sounds much more powerful than you would expect from its size. It combines clear, balanced sound with convenient controls and modern features such as Bluetooth and audio streaming support. At the same time, the design is sleek and stylish — it will fit perfectly into any interior. This is not just a speaker for background music — it really knows how to play music in a way that makes you want to turn up the volume and listen more closely.
One or her?
Looking at the Cambridge Audio One, it's impossible not to recall the beloved Hi-Fi grandpa van den Hool's argument that half the world's population is female and manufacturers should pay more attention to them by making the design of components more “feminine.” In my opinion, the creators of this device have fully realized this idea. The Cambridge Audio One does not attempt to look brutal, solid, or simply serious. It does not copy the features of “adult” Hi-Fi components and presents itself in a completely different way: softly, roundly, even gently.
Small, cute Hi-Fi
Note the unobtrusive, naive spelling of “one” on the front panel and the body, which has no sharp corners. The white cover that hides most of the device reminds me of the body of a retro-style radio or kitchen appliance. In short, the Cambridge Audio One is a very cute and stylish little thing that, regardless of its sound quality, has a good chance of finding a home in your kitchen, bedroom, or small living room. Simply because it is beautiful. And also because it has a clock and alarm clock (features that are rarely found nowadays), capable of giving you a cheerful morning with your favorite music.
Standard stands for speakers and components are not particularly appropriate here.
To complete the picture, let's take a look at the speakers that were selected for testing. Those who did not immediately recognize the DALI Oberon 1 in the photo probably thought that the speakers were “native.” I would have thought so myself. The design approaches and dimensions are very similar. And with the rounded grilles and cozy “wool” fabric covering, everything fits together perfectly! White with white looks perfect.
Almost all of them.
What can this miniature device do? Almost everything. It has Bluetooth, a USB port for connecting a computer, FM and DAB radio reception, and even a built-in CD drive, although this has long ceased to be a necessity. Coaxial and optical inputs are also available, as are analog inputs, so connecting an external network player, TV, vinyl turntable, or smart speaker with Alice is no problem. The icing on the cake, in my opinion, is the headphone jack and USB port for charging gadgets. All in all, in terms of functionality, everything has been taken into account and everything is included. But what about audiophilia? Is there anything to brag about? Oddly enough, there is.
And there's a CD player too, just in case.
The built-in amplifier operates in class AB and delivers 30 watts per channel. To increase its efficiency, the power supply unit has a fairly large toroidal transformer, which is installed vertically between the amplifier radiators to save space.
The power supply reserve eliminates voltage drops even when operating at maximum volume, and to minimize crosstalk between circuits via the power bus, the transformer has a good dozen windings — individually for different sections of the circuit. In addition, despite its extremely compact design, the Cambridge Audio One has good shielding from both internal and external electromagnetic interference.
Commutation only works on the input.
It is quite obvious that the amplifier will not be used with the most powerful or bass-heavy speakers, so the developers have provided the option of connecting an active subwoofer. However, they did not provide for the connection of active speakers or an external power amplifier, so we are dealing with a kind of “thing in itself.” Without much prospect for upgrade.
The Wolfson WM8728 chip acts as the built-in DAC. Many audiophiles are suspicious of it, but it must be admitted that Cambridge Audio engineers know what they are doing when they choose Wolfson over the currently fashionable Sabre and AKM.
Stereo not from the bookshelf
The biggest problem that the Cambridge Audio One and Dali Oberon 1 combo might face is being underestimated. The system is very compact, looks cute, and doesn't look serious at all. Giving in to this impression, I initially placed the speakers close to each other and got ready to move my chair closer. How else could I listen to these little guys?
But the system responded to this with such a large-scale and mature sound that any willingness to make concessions for its size and form factor immediately vanished. There is no micro-sound whatsoever! In the midrange, with the speakers placed on stands, this combination performs very confidently even without a subwoofer and leaves a decent amount of headroom on the volume knob up to the “maximum” mark.
What looks like screw terminals are actually cable lugs, so a ready-made banana cable can be connected without them.
After successfully listening to tracks from Eric Clapton & Friends' album The Breeze, which impressed with its natural guitar sound, realistic vocals, and good resolution for its class, I quickly moved on to AC/DC, as I was very interested to see if the system could deliver the right punch. And it did. Fact. It was almost too much.
I also noticed that the speakers, in general, fill the room with sound very well. When moving around the room, the sensation of a drop in volume or a disturbance in the tonal balance is minimal. The spacious soundstage is maintained even when moving significantly away from the listening position.
Small bookshelf speakers are just what a small stereo component needs.
The volume and space were conveyed very well when listening to Adele's album “21”. On the title track, one could quibble about the detail and duration of the reverberations, but the overall picture, the character of the instruments, the depth of the stage, and the room's reverberations are conveyed very authentically.
I could listen to Anna Netrebko until I completely lost touch with reality. I have never been to a concert by this opera diva, but after listening to recordings from the Metropolitan Opera, I had the lasting impression that I had been in the auditorium all along.
Continuing to move through the playlist within the letter A, I come across the album AM by the Arctic Monkeys. This is where bass and drive are essential! It's time to thoroughly challenge the speakers, but no — they hold up well. The drums sound confident, there is plenty of sound, and the feeling of a powerful bass line is conveyed. At the same time, it is clear that there should be more low notes, but I don't want to add anything — there is already plenty of emotion from the music.
The remote control gives direct access to all functions.
Moving on to dance tracks, I note the harmonious sound of the Bee Gees' disco hit “You Should Be Dancing” and (finally!) feel an acute need to add a subwoofer when listening to modern house and trance. But even when the DALI Oberon 1s are physically incapable of delivering the required amount of bass, the Cambridge Audio One more than compensates for this with the rhythm, speed, and accuracy of the rest of the low-frequency range, as well as the authentic transmission of the energy of the recording as a whole.
So, even a cursory acquaintance with Cambridge Audio One is enough to understand that it is much more than just a simple “amplifier with speakers included.” The system impresses with its thoughtfulness and build quality, offering unprecedented flexibility of connections for its format.
The main discovery awaits you when you turn it on for the first time. The sound is surprisingly detailed, clear, and energetic. The One easily fills the room with rich and balanced sound, exceeding expectations for such a compact device.
So, the Cambridge Audio One is the perfect entertainment hub for a small living room or study. It handles everything from playing vinyl and streaming music to working with your TV, eliminating the need for a bunch of separate devices. It's a smart, powerful, and elegant system that really offers more than meets the eye.
