Short answer: the Audio First Cadentia 3. It ranks #7 of 222 bookshelf speakers by sound quality (rated 4.7/5); the Mission LX-3 MKII ranks #138 (rated 3.6/5).
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 4.17 for the Mission LX-3 MKII. Its bass reaches about 43Hz before falling 3dB, against 67.4Hz for the Mission LX-3 MKII. 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).
What the Mission LX-3 MKII does well: A large affordable standmount with a 6.5-inch woofer, 88dB rated sensitivity and useful bass. The tradeoff: On-axis smoothness of 0.217 and predicted in-room smoothness of 0.344 reveal clear response unevenness, with a -0.46dB-per-octave downward tilt.
Buy the Audio First Cadentia 3. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Mission LX-3 MKII.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Near-textbook measurements: excellent on-axis linearity, listening window, and directivity, with only minor deviations.
Audio First Designs $7199 eBay
A large affordable standmount with a 6.5-inch woofer, 88dB rated sensitivity and useful bass.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Audio First Cadentia 3 | Mission LX-3 MKII | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $7199 per pair | £249 per pair |
| Ranked | #7 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #138 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 26Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 42.5Hz (derived from ASR on-axis curve, spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 43Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 67.4Hz (measured, ASR via spinorama.org) |
| Dimensions | 23.2” x 11.8” x 17” (590 x 300 x 433 mm) | 13.6H x 8.9W x 12.1D in |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (3.1 ohms minimum, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) | 8 ohms nominal, 4.1 ohms minimum |
| Sensitivity | 86.4dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) | 88dB |
| Drivers | 1.1” tweeter, 4.5” midrange, 9” woofer | 1” microfiber-dome tweeter, 6.5” composite-fiber woofer |
| Weight | 45.9 lbs (20.8 kg) each | 18.5 lbs (8.4 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | 3-way, bass reflex | - |
| Country | United Kingdom (Cambridge) | United Kingdom (design) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 7.55 | 4.17 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.91 | 6.42 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Enclosure | - | 2-way, bass-reflex |
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 Mission LX-3 MKII (measured by Audio Science Review), via spinorama.org.
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