Short answer: the Audio First Cadentia 3 if sound quality matters most, the Klipsch RP-600M II if price matters most. The Audio First Cadentia 3 ranks #7 of 223 bookshelf speakers, rated 4.7/5, at $7,199. The Klipsch RP-600M II ranks #124, rated 3.7/5, at $449.99, $6,749.01 cheaper.
Why pick the Klipsch RP-600M II: Bookshelf speakers with a large horn tweeter, wide soundstage, high efficiency and bi-amp ready terminals. Watch for: On-axis, the treble runs notably hot (even hotter than the original Klipsch RP-600M in some respects) and needs about 20° of toe-out or the grille installed to sound balanced.
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 5.64 for the Klipsch RP-600M II. Its bass reaches about 43Hz before falling 3dB, against 70Hz for the Klipsch RP-600M II. 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 Klipsch RP-600M II 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.
Bookshelf speakers with a large horn tweeter, wide soundstage, high efficiency and bi-amp ready terminals.
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 29, 2026 at 4:42 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
| Klipsch RP-600M II | Audio First Cadentia 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $449.99 per pair | $7199 per pair |
| Ranked | #124 of 223 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #7 of 223 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 26Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 70Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 43Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 15.7”H x 8”W x 12.5”D (398.8 x 203.2 x 317.5 mm) | 23.2” x 11.8” x 17” (590 x 300 x 433 mm) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (3.5 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) | 4 ohms nominal (3.1 ohms minimum, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 86.4dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 6.5” Cerametallic cone woofer, 1” titanium LTS vented tweeter with Tractrix horn | 1.1” tweeter, 4.5” midrange, 9” woofer |
| Weight | 13 lbs (5.9 kg) each | 45.9 lbs (20.8 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported | 3-way, bass reflex |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.64 | 7.55 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.77 | 8.91 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Country | - | United Kingdom (Cambridge) |
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: Klipsch RP-600M II (measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) and Audio First Cadentia 3 (measured by the manufacturer), via spinorama.org.
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