Short answer: the Perlisten S4b. It ranks #2 of 131 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.8/5, at $8,000. The Audio First Cadentia 3 ranks #7, rated 4.7/5, at $7,199, $801 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
Why pick the Perlisten S4b: Reference-grade directivity and output from a compact sealed monitor. Watch for: Erin measured only 84.5dB sensitivity and an impedance minimum just under 4 ohms, a difficult efficiency/load combination that deserves substantial clean amplification.
What the Audio First Cadentia 3 does well: Near-textbook measurements: excellent on-axis linearity, listening window, and directivity, with only minor deviations. The tradeoff: 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 Perlisten S4b. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $801 with the Audio First Cadentia 3 does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Perlisten S4b | Audio First Cadentia 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $8,000 per pair | $7199 per pair |
| Ranked | #2 of 131 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #7 of 131 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 78Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 43Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 40Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 26Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 84.5dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 86.4dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Impedance | Just under 4 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 4 ohms nominal (3.1 ohms minimum, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | DPC array with 28mm beryllium tweeter and dual 28mm midrange domes; 7” woofer | 1.1” tweeter, 4.5” midrange, 9” woofer |
| Dimensions | 16.5”H x 9.4”W x 7.3”D | 23.2” x 11.8” x 17” (590 x 300 x 433 mm) |
| Weight | 24.3 lbs (11 kg) each | 45.9 lbs (20.8 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | sealed | 3-way, bass reflex |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.35 | 7.55 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.01 | 8.91 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Country | - | United Kingdom (Cambridge) |
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- Perlisten S4b vs KEF Reference 1 Meta
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- KEF Q Concerto Meta vs Perlisten S4b
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
Perlisten S4b: $8,000 per pair Perlisten Dealer Locator eBay
Pros: Reference-grade directivity and output from a compact sealed monitor. Erin called its radiation behavior the smoothest he had measured: Perlisten’s DPC array (beryllium tweeter between two midrange domes) shapes vertical output while transitioning cleanly to the 7-inch woofer. Harmonic distortion remains below 1% at 86dB and, above 100Hz, also below 1% at 96dB; compression is exceptionally low. The response is highly linear, the midrange was a listening highlight, and the sealed F10 of 40Hz provides a predictable slope for subwoofer integration. Measured bass extension of 78Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 84.5dB.
Cons: Erin measured only 84.5dB sensitivity and an impedance minimum just under 4 ohms, a difficult efficiency/load combination that deserves substantial clean amplification. Its 78Hz F3 means a subwoofer is effectively mandatory for full-range listening despite the 40Hz F10. A roughly +3dB feature around 10kHz appears on-axis, though Erin did not find it objectionable. Price is extreme for a stand-mount and the tightly managed vertical radiation makes correct stand height important.
Full Perlisten S4b review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 40Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 78Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 16.5”H x 9.4”W x 7.3”D |
| Drivers | DPC array with 28mm beryllium tweeter and dual 28mm midrange domes; 7” woofer |
| Impedance | Just under 4 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 84.5dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.35 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.01 |
| Weight | 24.3 lbs (11 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | sealed |
- Links
- 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 March Audio Sointuva
- 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 Wharfedale Aura 2
- Audio First Cadentia 3 vs KEF R3
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