Short answer: the Audio First Cadentia 3 on measured sound quality, the Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 SE2 on price. The Audio First Cadentia 3 ranks #7 of 222 bookshelf speakers, rated 4.7/5, at $7,199. The Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 SE2 ranks #113, rated 3.8/5, at $468, $6,731 cheaper.
The case for the Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 SE2: Compact two-way bookshelf speakers with a SEAS tweeter, a very flat midrange and smooth sound that suits most rooms. The tradeoff: A narrow dip in the on-axis and listening-window response appears in the 3-5kHz range (down to about -2.7dB), mirrored by a matching dip in the directivity index at the same frequencies: likely a brief widening of dispersion right at the tweeter/woofer crossover.
The Audio First Cadentia 3 is the more accurate, deeper-bass choice. A large three way bookshelf speaker with near textbook accuracy, a big enveloping soundstage, and deep, punchy bass that stays clean when loud. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 7.55 against 6.30 for the Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 SE2. Its bass reaches about 43Hz before falling 3dB, against 70Hz for the Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 SE2. The catch: A mild scoop through the upper midrange/lower treble slightly softens the attack of snares, hand claps, and sibilants: fixable with a single-band EQ (2.5kHz, +1dB, Q~1).
Buy the Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 SE2 when the price outweighs sound quality for you, and the Audio First Cadentia 3 when sound quality outweighs the price instead.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
Compact two-way bookshelf speakers with a SEAS tweeter, a very flat midrange and smooth sound that suits most rooms.
A large three way bookshelf speaker with near textbook accuracy, a big enveloping soundstage, and deep, punchy bass that stays clean when loud.
Prices on this page were last checked October 31, 2026 at 7:11 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
Specifications Side By Side
| Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 SE2 | Audio First Cadentia 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $468 per pair | $7199 per pair |
| Ranked | #113 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #7 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 70Hz (measured, manufacturer spinorama data) | 43Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50Hz (measured, manufacturer spinorama data) | 26Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 86.8dB (2.83V/1m, measured, manufacturer spinorama data; 87dB manufacturer specified) | 86.4dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 27mm custom SEAS soft dome tweeter, 6.5” proprietary composite polygel cone woofer | 1.1” tweeter, 4.5” midrange, 9” woofer |
| Dimensions | 12H x 9W x 9.5D in | 23.2” x 11.8” x 17” (590 x 300 x 433 mm) |
| Weight | 15 lbs (6.8 kg) each | 45.9 lbs (20.8 kg) each |
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 4 ohms nominal (3.1 ohms minimum, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Power Handling | 200W continuous, 400W peak | - |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | 3-way, bass reflex |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.30 | 7.55 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.66 | 8.91 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Country | - | United Kingdom (Cambridge) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Audio First Cadentia 3: