Short answer: the Audio First Cadentia 3 for better sound quality, the March Audio Sointuva for the lower price. The Audio First Cadentia 3 ranks #7 of 131 bookshelf speakers, rated 4.7/5, at $7,199. The March Audio Sointuva ranks #8, rated 4.6/5, at $3,995, $3,204 cheaper.
Why pick the March Audio Sointuva: The Purifi woofer and Satori waveguided tweeter combine class-leading distortion with unusually deep extension for a compact cabinet. The catch: Erin measured a 3.8-ohm minimum and an average load near four ohms; combined with ~83dB sensitivity, this demands a powerful four-ohm-stable amplifier even though the drivers tolerate that power cleanly.
What the Audio First Cadentia 3 does well: Near-textbook measurements: excellent on-axis linearity, listening window, and directivity, with only minor deviations. 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).
Worth knowing: the March Audio Sointuva is discontinued, though it still ranks #8 of 131 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, so a used unit beats most of what is still sold new.
Buy the March Audio Sointuva if the price matters more than sound quality. Buy the Audio First Cadentia 3 if sound quality matters more than the price.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| March Audio Sointuva | Audio First Cadentia 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $3,995 per pair Discontinued | $7199 per pair |
| Ranked | #8 of 131 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #7 of 131 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | ~50Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 43Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 32.7Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 26Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | ~83dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 86.4dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Impedance | ~4 ohms average; 3.8 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 4 ohms nominal (3.1 ohms minimum, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 6.5-inch Purifi woofer; Satori waveguided dome tweeter; dual passive radiators | 1.1” tweeter, 4.5” midrange, 9” woofer |
| Enclosure | Dual passive radiator | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.80 | 7.55 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.45 | 8.91 |
| Dimensions | 17.7”H x 9.4”W x 8.7”D (450 x 240 x 220 mm) | 23.2” x 11.8” x 17” (590 x 300 x 433 mm) |
| Weight | 14.6 lbs (6.6 kg) each | 45.9 lbs (20.8 kg) each |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Woofer Cabinet | - | 3-way, bass reflex |
| Country | - | United Kingdom (Cambridge) |
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Prices on this page were last checked September 29, 2026 at 3:43 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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The Two Speakers In Full
March Audio Sointuva: $3,995 per pair Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the March Audio Sointuva AWG, ranked higher, rated 4.7/5.
Pros: The Purifi woofer and Satori waveguided tweeter combine class-leading distortion with unusually deep extension for a compact cabinet. Erin measured roughly 83dB sensitivity yet found the speaker could still sustain about 96dB/1m with 3% THD not crossed until ~60Hz; compression remains exceptionally low until the deepest bass at the highest sweep. Horizontal directivity is broad and smooth, the early-reflections trend is readily equalizable, and the passive radiators avoid port turbulence while reaching approximately 50Hz anechoic and lower in-room. Measured bass extension of ~50Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 83dB.
Cons: Erin measured a 3.8-ohm minimum and an average load near four ohms; combined with ~83dB sensitivity, this demands a powerful four-ohm-stable amplifier even though the drivers tolerate that power cleanly. Vertical directivity shows the unavoidable woofer/tweeter crossover cancellation, so stand height matters. The original waveguide narrows somewhat in the upper treble compared with the later AWG revision, and the premium price is difficult to justify if low-level listening or an 80Hz sub crossover leaves the Purifi woofer’s excursion capability unused. Discontinued.
Full March Audio Sointuva review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 32.7Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | ~50Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 17.7”H x 9.4”W x 8.7”D (450 x 240 x 220 mm) |
| Drivers | 6.5-inch Purifi woofer; Satori waveguided dome tweeter; dual passive radiators |
| Enclosure | Dual passive radiator |
| Impedance | ~4 ohms average; 3.8 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | ~83dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.80 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.45 |
| Weight | 14.6 lbs (6.6 kg) each |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Audio First Cadentia 3: $7199 per pair Audio First Designs eBay
Pros: Near-textbook measurements: excellent on-axis linearity, listening window, and directivity, with only minor deviations. Extremely low distortion and compression, holding steady even at 102dB with barely any loss. Very wide, consistent horizontal dispersion (~70 degrees) gives a big, enveloping soundstage with strong image specificity outside the speaker boundaries. Strong bass extension for a bookshelf (F3 43Hz, F10 26Hz) with a punchy, guttural mid-bass. Measured bass extension of 43Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 86.4dB.
Cons: 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). High-frequency dispersion narrows quickly above about 4kHz, so off-axis listeners lose some air and detail. Very high asking price for a bookshelf-class speaker, and the complete (finished) version has a long lead time; the loaner kit version ships as an unfinished cabinet you assemble and finish yourself.
Full Audio First Cadentia 3 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 26Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 43Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Country | United Kingdom (Cambridge) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 23.2” x 11.8” x 17” (590 x 300 x 433 mm) |
| Drivers | 1.1” tweeter, 4.5” midrange, 9” woofer |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (3.1 ohms minimum, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 86.4dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 7.55 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.91 |
| Weight | 45.9 lbs (20.8 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | 3-way, bass reflex |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Audio First Cadentia 3 vs AsciLab C6B
- Audio First Cadentia 3 vs KEF R3 Meta
- Audio First Cadentia 3 vs GR-Research NX-Studio
- Audio First Cadentia 3 vs KEF Q Concerto Meta
- Audio First Cadentia 3 vs KEF Reference 1 Meta
- Audio First Cadentia 3 vs Perlisten S4b
- Audio First Cadentia 3 vs Wharfedale Aura 2
- Audio First Cadentia 3 vs KEF R3
- See all 47 comparisons