Short answer: the Audio First Cadentia 3. It ranks #7 of 216 bookshelf speakers by sound quality (rated 4.7/5); the AsciLab F6Bs ranks #20 (rated 4.5/5).
The Audio First Cadentia 3 is the more accurate, deeper-bass pick. Near-textbook measurements: excellent on-axis linearity, listening window, and directivity, with only minor deviations. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 7.55 against 5.24 for the AsciLab F6Bs. Its bass reaches about 43Hz before falling 3dB, against 82Hz for the AsciLab F6Bs. 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).
Why pick the AsciLab F6Bs: A slimmer, sealed, VESA 100 wall mountable variant of the AsciLab F6B, trading the AsciLab F6B’s passive radiator for a shallower 15.4cm deep cabinet that can go straight on a wall bracket. Watch for: AsciLab’s own site shows the F6Bs sold out, though it remains in stock through resellers like Audiophonics and Tested Audio.
Buy the Audio First Cadentia 3. It is rated higher for sound quality than the AsciLab F6Bs.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Audio First Cadentia 3 | AsciLab F6Bs | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $7199 per pair | €799 per pair |
| Ranked | #7 of 216 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #20 of 216 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 26Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 50.1Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 43Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 82.0Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 23.2” x 11.8” x 17” (590 x 300 x 433 mm) | 14.5”H x 8”W x 6.1”D (368 x 203 x 154 mm) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (3.1 ohms minimum, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) | 4 ohms nominal, 3.7 ohms minimum |
| Sensitivity | 86.4dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) | 85.2dB @ 2.83V/1m (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Drivers | 1.1” tweeter, 4.5” midrange, 9” woofer | 1” aluminum dome tweeter with waveguide and phase plug, 6” fiber cone woofer |
| Weight | 45.9 lbs (20.8 kg) each | 12.3 lbs (5.6 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | 3-way, bass reflex | - |
| Country | United Kingdom (Cambridge) | South Korea |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 7.55 | 5.24 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.91 | 7.90 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Enclosure | - | sealed |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 1kHz |
| Mounting | - | VESA 100 wall mount compatible |
| Warranty | - | 2 years |
| Maximum SPL | - | 100dB full bandwidth, 102dB above 100Hz (manufacturer specified) |
Frequency Response Compared
Both speakers’ spinorama measurements, overlaid. A flatter line is more neutral: peaks sound forward or harsh, dips sound recessed. Each curve is shifted so its average from 300 Hz to 3 kHz sits at 0 dB, so loudness differences between the two are removed and only the shape is compared. The two were measured by different sources, so small differences, especially in the bass, can come from the measurement setup rather than the speakers.
Measurement data: Audio First Cadentia 3 (measured by the manufacturer) and AsciLab F6Bs (measured by Audio Science Review), via spinorama.org.
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Audio First Cadentia 3 compares with other leading options:
- Perlisten S4b vs Audio First Cadentia 3
- Audio First Cadentia 3 vs KEF Reference 1 Meta
- Audio First Cadentia 3 vs GR-Research NX-Studio
- AsciLab C6B vs Audio First Cadentia 3
- March Audio Sointuva vs Audio First Cadentia 3
Prices on this page were last checked October 14, 2026 at 2:38 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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The Two Speakers In Full
Audio First Cadentia 3: $7199 per pair Audio First Designs $7199 eBay
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. Measured bass extension of 43Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 86.4dB.
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 | United Kingdom (Cambridge) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| 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) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 7.55 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.91 |
| Weight | 45.9 lbs (20.8 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | 3-way, bass reflex |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Audio First Cadentia 3 vs March Audio Sointuva
- Audio First Cadentia 3 vs AsciLab C6B
- Audio First Cadentia 3 vs KEF R3 Meta
- Audio First Cadentia 3 vs GR-Research NX-Studio
- Audio First Cadentia 3 vs KEF Q Concerto Meta
- Audio First Cadentia 3 vs KEF Reference 1 Meta
- Audio First Cadentia 3 vs Perlisten S4b
- Audio First Cadentia 3 vs Wharfedale Aura 2
- See all 48 comparisons
AsciLab F6Bs: €799 per pair Audiophonics eBay
Same family: the AsciLab F6B (smaller bookshelf, ranked higher, rated 4.6/5).
Pros: A slimmer, sealed, VESA 100 wall mountable variant of the AsciLab F6B, trading the AsciLab F6B’s passive radiator for a shallower 15.4cm deep cabinet that can go straight on a wall bracket. Off axis sound tracks the on axis response unusually consistently for a sealed 2-way this size, and on axis deviation measures a clean 0.25dB average. Measured bass extension of 82.0Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 85.2dB.
Cons: AsciLab’s own site shows the F6Bs sold out, though it remains in stock through resellers like Audiophonics and Tested Audio. Bass extension is measured at 82.0Hz at -3dB, noticeably less than the passive radiator equipped AsciLab F6B, and listening window smoothness measures only a moderate 0.39. The 4 ohm nominal impedance calls for a reasonably capable amplifier.
Full AsciLab F6Bs review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50.1Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 82.0Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Country | South Korea |
| Crossover Frequency | 1kHz |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 14.5”H x 8”W x 6.1”D (368 x 203 x 154 mm) |
| Drivers | 1” aluminum dome tweeter with waveguide and phase plug, 6” fiber cone woofer |
| Enclosure | sealed |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal, 3.7 ohms minimum |
| Maximum SPL | 100dB full bandwidth, 102dB above 100Hz (manufacturer specified) |
| Mounting | VESA 100 wall mount compatible |
| Sensitivity | 85.2dB @ 2.83V/1m (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.24 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.90 |
| Warranty | 2 years |
| Weight | 12.3 lbs (5.6 kg) each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- AsciLab F6Bs vs Epos ES14N
- AsciLab F6Bs vs MoFi SourcePoint 8
- AsciLab F6Bs vs Arendal 1528 Monitor 8
- AsciLab F6Bs vs Buchardt Audio E50
- AsciLab F6Bs vs Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2
- AsciLab F6Bs vs Wharfedale Super Linton
- AsciLab F6Bs vs KEF R3
- AsciLab F6Bs vs Wharfedale Aura 2
- See all 47 comparisons