Short answer: the AsciLab C6B. Both are rated 4.7/5 for sound quality (#6 and #7 of 222 bookshelf speakers), and the AsciLab C6B costs $1,145 against $7,199 for the Audio First Cadentia 3, so with nothing between them on sound quality, price settles it.
The case for the AsciLab C6B: Bookshelf speakers with very accurate sound and an unusually wide, stable soundstage, for any seating position. The catch: Bass rolls off around 50Hz in-room (F3 54Hz, F10 35Hz), so a subwoofer is needed for real extension below that.
The Audio First Cadentia 3 is the more accurate, deeper-bass option. 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 6.33 for the AsciLab C6B. Its bass reaches about 43Hz before falling 3dB, against 54Hz for the AsciLab C6B. 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 AsciLab C6B. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $6,054 less than the Audio First Cadentia 3.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Bookshelf speakers with very accurate sound and an unusually wide, stable soundstage, for any seating position.
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.
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Specifications Side By Side
| AsciLab C6B | Audio First Cadentia 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1145 per pair | $7199 per pair |
| Ranked | #6 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #7 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 35Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 26Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 54Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 43Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 15.7”H x 8”W x 10.4”D (398.8 x 203.2 x 264.2 mm) | 23.2” x 11.8” x 17” (590 x 300 x 433 mm) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal, 2.6 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 4 ohms nominal (3.1 ohms minimum, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 85.6dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 86.4dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 6” Aluminium Ceramic Cone with cast Aluminium Chassis woofer, 1” Aluminium Ceramic Dome tweeter | 1.1” tweeter, 4.5” midrange, 9” woofer |
| Weight | 18.5 lbs (8.4 kg) each | 45.9 lbs (20.8 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | passive radiator | 3-way, bass reflex |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.33 | 7.55 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.28 | 8.91 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Country | - | United Kingdom (Cambridge) |
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