Short answer: the March Audio Sointuva. It ranks #6 of 84 bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $3995; the Audio First Cadentia 3 ranks #8 and costs $7199, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the March Audio Sointuva offers: The Purifi woofer and Satori waveguided tweeter combine class-leading distortion with unusually deep extension for a compact cabinet. Watch for: 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 offers: Near-textbook measurements - excellent on-axis linearity, listening window, and directivity, with only minor deviations. 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 March Audio Sointuva. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Audio First Cadentia 3 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
Specifications Side By Side
| March Audio Sointuva | Audio First Cadentia 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $3,995/pair Discontinued | $7199 |
| Ranked | #6 of 84 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #8 of 84 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | ~50Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 43Hz (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 |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Enclosure | Dual passive radiator | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 26Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | - | 23.2" x 11.8" x 17" (590 x 300 x 433 mm) |
| Weight | - | 45.9 lbs / 20.8 kg each |
| Woofer Cabinet | - | 3-way, bass reflex |
| Country of Origin | - | United Kingdom (Cambridge) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
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- AsciLab C6B vs KEF Reference 1 Meta
- KEF Reference 1 Meta vs March Audio Sointuva AWG
- Wharfedale Aura 2 vs March Audio Sointuva AWG
- Audio First Cadentia 3 vs Arendal 1528 Monitor 8
- Audio First Cadentia 3 vs Dynaudio Heritage Special
The Two Speakers In Full
March Audio Sointuva: $3,995/pair Discontinued
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.
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 (-3dB) | ~50Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Discontinued | Yes |
| 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) |
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Audio First Cadentia 3: $7199 Audio First Designs
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.
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 of Origin | United Kingdom (Cambridge) |
| 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) |
| Weight | 45.9 lbs / 20.8 kg each |
| Woofer Cabinet | 3-way, bass reflex |
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