Short answer: the Audio First Cadentia 3 for better sound quality, the Arendal 1528 Monitor 8 for the lower price. The Audio First Cadentia 3 ranks #8 of 84 bookshelf speakers at $7199. The Arendal 1528 Monitor 8 ranks #18 at $6000, $1199 cheaper.
What the Audio First Cadentia 3 offers: Near-textbook measurements - excellent on-axis linearity, listening window, and directivity, with only minor deviations. Watch for: 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).
What the Arendal 1528 Monitor 8 offers: Three-way design featuring a 28mm tweeter, 5” mid-range, and dual 8” mid-bass drivers in a convertible sealed/ported HDF cabinet, with a supplied port bung for sealed operation near a wall. Watch for: A dip in the midbase around 100Hz noticeably reduces the “chestiness” of male vocals compared to the reviewer’s reference speaker.
Buy the Audio First Cadentia 3 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Arendal 1528 Monitor 8 if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| Audio First Cadentia 3 | Arendal 1528 Monitor 8 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $7199 | $6000 |
| Ranked | #8 of 84 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #18 of 84 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 26Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 26Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 43Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 41Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 23.2" x 11.8" x 17" (590 x 300 x 433 mm) | 31.8"H x 11.4"W x 17.6"D (807.7 x 289.6 x 447 mm) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (3.1 ohms minimum, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) | 4 ohms nominal, 3.8 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 86.4dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) | 84.4dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 1.1" tweeter, 4.5" midrange, 9" woofer | Dual 8" woofers, 5" midrange, 28mm tweeter |
| Weight | 45.9 lbs / 20.8 kg each | 103.6 lbs / 47 kg each |
| Woofer Cabinet | 3-way, bass reflex | ported |
| Country of Origin | United Kingdom (Cambridge) | - |
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- Arendal 1528 Monitor 8 vs Dynaudio Heritage Special
- Audio First Cadentia 3 vs Dynaudio Heritage Special
The Two Speakers In Full
Audio First Cadentia 3: $7199 Audio First Designs
Pros: Near-textbook measurements - excellent on-axis linearity, listening window, and directivity, with only minor deviations. Extremely low distortion and compression, holding steady even at 102dB with barely any loss. Very wide, consistent horizontal dispersion (~70 degrees) gives a big, enveloping soundstage with strong image specificity outside the speaker boundaries. Strong bass extension for a bookshelf (F3 43Hz, F10 26Hz) with a punchy, guttural mid-bass.
Cons: 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). High-frequency dispersion narrows quickly above about 4kHz, so off-axis listeners lose some air and detail. Very high asking price for a bookshelf-class speaker, and the complete (finished) version has a long lead time; the loaner kit version ships as an unfinished cabinet you assemble and finish yourself.
Full Audio First Cadentia 3 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 26Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 43Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Country of Origin | United Kingdom (Cambridge) |
| Dimensions | 23.2" x 11.8" x 17" (590 x 300 x 433 mm) |
| Drivers | 1.1" tweeter, 4.5" midrange, 9" woofer |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (3.1 ohms minimum, measured by Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 86.4dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 45.9 lbs / 20.8 kg each |
| Woofer Cabinet | 3-way, bass reflex |
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Arendal 1528 Monitor 8: $6000 Arendalsound
Pros: Three-way design featuring a 28mm tweeter, 5” mid-range, and dual 8” mid-bass drivers in a convertible sealed/ported HDF cabinet, with a supplied port bung for sealed operation near a wall. In ported configuration, reaches down to about 35Hz in most rooms (F3 41Hz, F10 26Hz) - deep enough that many listeners could skip a subwoofer unless they want output below 40Hz. Extremely low distortion and compression across the board (harmonic, multitone, and both long- and short-term compression testing) - among the best the reviewer has tested at this price, beating speakers costing twice as much. Wide, consistent horizontal soundstage of about ±60°. Smooth, non-fatiguing high frequency rather than the elevated “detail” boost common on speakers marketed for resolution. A slight forwardness around 1.5kHz adds a touch of attack without tipping into brightness.
Cons: A dip in the midbase around 100Hz noticeably reduces the “chestiness” of male vocals compared to the reviewer’s reference speaker. A diffraction-related flare in the upper-midrange/lower-treble (around 1.5-2kHz) gives a mild forwardness that benefits from sidewall absorption panels, though it’s not a major issue. Vertical sweet spot is fairly narrow at about ±20° - a bigger consideration for multi-row home theater seating than rivals like the MoFi SourcePoint 8, which manages about ±60°. The MoFi SourcePoint 8, a similarly-priced rival, also has more linear bass with no midbase dip, at the cost of a more elevated top end. Minor resonances appear around 400Hz and 800Hz in measurements, though the reviewer considers them inaudible or insignificant. Very heavy (about 104 lbs each) HDF cabinet requires dedicated, sturdy stands. Low EPDR (dips to about 1.9 ohms in two spots) means a Class AB amplifier needs to comfortably handle a 4-ohm load without overheating; a Class D amp is a safer choice for full-range use.
Full Arendal 1528 Monitor 8 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 26Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 41Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 31.8"H x 11.4"W x 17.6"D (807.7 x 289.6 x 447 mm) |
| Drivers | Dual 8" woofers, 5" midrange, 28mm tweeter |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal, 3.8 ohms minimum (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 84.4dB (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 103.6 lbs / 47 kg each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
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