Short answer: the Audio First Cadentia 3 on measured sound quality, the ELAC DBR62 on price. The Audio First Cadentia 3 ranks #7 of 222 bookshelf speakers, rated 4.7/5, at $7,199. The ELAC DBR62 ranks #79, rated 4.0/5, at $699.98, $6,499.02 cheaper.
What the ELAC DBR62 does well: An affordable bookshelf speaker that is very forgiving of placement and aiming, with wide sound and a little extra bass punch. The catch: A slight recess in the 1-2kHz region reduces vocal presence somewhat compared to other speakers in direct comparison.
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 5.07 for the ELAC DBR62. Its bass reaches about 43Hz before falling 3dB, against 53Hz for the ELAC DBR62. 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).
Buy the ELAC DBR62 if the price matters more than sound quality. Buy the Audio First Cadentia 3 if sound quality matters more than the price.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
An affordable bookshelf speaker that is very forgiving of placement and aiming, with wide sound and a little extra bass punch.
A large three way bookshelf speaker with near textbook accuracy, a big enveloping soundstage, and deep, punchy bass that stays clean when loud.
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
| ELAC DBR62 | Audio First Cadentia 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $699.98 per pair | $7199 per pair |
| Ranked | #79 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #7 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 26Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 53Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 43Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 14.1”H x 8.2”W x 10.8”D (358.1 x 208.3 x 274.3 mm) | 23.2” x 11.8” x 17” (590 x 300 x 433 mm) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal, 5.2 ohms minimum (measured above 80Hz, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 4 ohms nominal (3.1 ohms minimum, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 84.3dB (measured average 300Hz-3kHz @ 2.83V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner; 86dB manufacturer specified) | 86.4dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 6.5” Aramid Fiber woofer, 1” soft dome tweeter | 1.1” tweeter, 4.5” midrange, 9” woofer |
| Weight | 18.1 lbs (8.2 kg) each | 45.9 lbs (20.8 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, front | 3-way, bass reflex |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.07 | 7.55 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.27 | 8.91 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Country | - | United Kingdom (Cambridge) |
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