Short answer: the Audio First Cadentia 3 if sound quality matters most, the Triangle Borea BR03 if price matters most. The Audio First Cadentia 3 ranks #7 of 222 bookshelf speakers, rated 4.7/5, at $7,199. The Triangle Borea BR03 ranks #198, rated 2.8/5, at $381.77, $6,817.23 cheaper.
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 4.03 for the Triangle Borea BR03. Its bass reaches about 43Hz before falling 3dB, against 57Hz for the Triangle Borea BR03. The tradeoff: 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 Triangle Borea BR03: Bass output is genuinely decent for the price: measured extension reaches F3 57Hz/F10 42Hz, which the reviewer had no real complaints about. Watch for: A noticeable mid-range suckout, most pronounced in the upper mid-range/lower treble, that the reviewer attributes to cabinet resonances and driver breakup rather than a deliberate voicing choice: it makes vocals and instruments sound recessed and thin rather than warm.
Buy the Audio First Cadentia 3 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Triangle Borea BR03 if the price matters more than sound quality.
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Near-textbook measurements: excellent on-axis linearity, listening window, and directivity, with only minor deviations.
Audio First Designs $7199 eBay
Bass output is genuinely decent for the price: measured extension reaches F3 57Hz/F10 42Hz, which the reviewer had no real complaints about.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Audio First Cadentia 3 | Triangle Borea BR03 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $7199 per pair | $381.77 per pair |
| Ranked | #7 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #198 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 26Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 42Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 43Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 57Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 23.2” x 11.8” x 17” (590 x 300 x 433 mm) | 14.96”H x 8.11”W x 12.36”D |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (3.1 ohms minimum, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) | 8 ohms nominal (manufacturer spec), 4.2 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 86.4dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) | 87.5dB (measured at 2.83V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 1.1” tweeter, 4.5” midrange, 9” woofer | 6.5” natural cellulose midwoofer, 1” (25mm) EFS silk dome tweeter |
| Weight | 45.9 lbs (20.8 kg) each | 13.2 lbs (6 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | 3-way, bass reflex | ported, dual front ports |
| Country | United Kingdom (Cambridge) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 7.55 | 4.03 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.91 | 6.38 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 3600Hz |
| Recommended Power | - | 100W |
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 Triangle Borea BR03 (measured by Erin’s Audio Corner), via spinorama.org.
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