Short answer: the Audio First Cadentia 3 on measured sound quality, the XTZ Spirit 4 on price. The Audio First Cadentia 3 ranks #7 of 222 bookshelf speakers, rated 4.7/5, at $7,199. The XTZ Spirit 4 ranks #159, rated 3.4/5, at $477, $6,722 cheaper.
The Audio First Cadentia 3 is the more accurate, deeper-bass option. 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 4.18 for the XTZ Spirit 4. Its bass reaches about 26Hz before falling 10dB, against 40Hz for the XTZ Spirit 4. 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 XTZ Spirit 4 does well: Stand-mount speakers with a waveguide tweeter, adjustable treble and port tuning, wide coverage and fairly deep bass. The catch: The third-party measurement is low confidence.
Buy the Audio First Cadentia 3 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the XTZ Spirit 4 if the price matters more than sound quality.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
A large three way bookshelf speaker with near textbook accuracy, a big enveloping soundstage, and deep, punchy bass that stays clean when loud.
Stand-mount speakers with a waveguide tweeter, adjustable treble and port tuning, wide coverage and fairly deep bass.
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 | XTZ Spirit 4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $7199 per pair | $477 per pair |
| Ranked | #7 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #159 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 26Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | about 40.0Hz (measured, Spinorama data) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 43Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 42Hz (manufacturer specified) |
| Dimensions | 23.2” x 11.8” x 17” (590 x 300 x 433 mm) | 13.8H x 7.5W x 10.6D in |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (3.1 ohms minimum, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) | 4 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 86.4dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) | 86dB |
| Drivers | 1.1” tweeter, 4.5” midrange, 9” woofer | 1” dome tweeter, 6.5” woofer |
| Weight | 45.9 lbs (20.8 kg) each | 17.9 lbs (8.1 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | 3-way, bass reflex | - |
| Country | United Kingdom (Cambridge) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 7.55 | 4.18 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.91 | 6.30 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Enclosure | - | 2-way passive, rear-ported |
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