Short answer: the Audio First Cadentia 3 if sound quality matters most, the Dynaudio Emit 20 if price matters most. The Audio First Cadentia 3 ranks #7 of 222 bookshelf speakers, rated 4.7/5, at $7,199. The Dynaudio Emit 20 ranks #133, rated 3.6/5, at $1,049, $6,150 cheaper.
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 4.22 for the Dynaudio Emit 20. Its bass reaches about 43Hz before falling 3dB, against 54Hz for the Dynaudio Emit 20. 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 Dynaudio Emit 20 does well: Bookshelf speakers with unusually deep, low distortion bass for a two-way design and wide, consistent dispersion. The tradeoff: A resonance around 600-800Hz gives snares and similar percussion a muffled, flat quality lacking impact: confirmed as originating in the woofer itself (isolated via measurements of the raw driver out of the cabinet), and attempts at constrained-layer damping didn’t resolve it.
Buy the Audio First Cadentia 3 if sound quality is the priority over the price, or the Dynaudio Emit 20 if the price is the priority over sound quality.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
A large three way bookshelf speaker with near textbook accuracy, a big enveloping soundstage, and deep, punchy bass that stays clean when loud.
Bookshelf speakers with unusually deep, low distortion bass for a two-way design and wide, consistent dispersion.
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
| Audio First Cadentia 3 | Dynaudio Emit 20 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $7199 per pair | $1,049.00 per pair |
| Ranked | #7 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #133 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 26Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 33Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 43Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 54Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 23.2” x 11.8” x 17” (590 x 300 x 433 mm) | 14.6”H x 8.1”W x 12.3”D (370.0 x 205.0 x 312.0 mm) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (3.1 ohms minimum, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) | 6 ohms nominal (5.5 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 86.4dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) | 83.5dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner; 86dB manufacturer specified) |
| Drivers | 1.1” tweeter, 4.5” midrange, 9” woofer | 7.1” Magnesium Silicate Polymer woofer, 1.1” Cerotar soft dome with Hexis tweeter |
| Weight | 45.9 lbs (20.8 kg) each | 12.8 lbs (5.8 kg) |
| Woofer Cabinet | 3-way, bass reflex | ported, rear |
| Country | United Kingdom (Cambridge) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 7.55 | 4.22 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.91 | 5.92 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
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