Audio First Cadentia 3 Review: Ranked #7 of 131

Last updated: September 25, 2026

The Audio First Cadentia 3 ranks #7 out of 131 total Large Size Bookshelf Speakers for sound quality. See all Passive Home rankings for every top pick.

Prices on this page were last checked September 26, 2026 at 11:14 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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Audio First Cadentia 3 - ranked #7 of 131 Large Size Bookshelf Speakers · Editor's rating 4.7/5
Check price at Audio First Designs ($7199 per pair) →

#7 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.

How it compares: Just above it: AsciLab C6B - $6054 cheaper, 0.8Hz lower bass extension (-3dB). Just below it: March Audio Sointuva - $3204 cheaper, 3.4Hz lower bass extension (-3dB).

Bass Extension (-10dB)26Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner)
Bass Extension (-3dB)43Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner)
CountryUnited Kingdom (Cambridge)
DIY KitNo
Dimensions23.2” x 11.8” x 17” (590 x 300 x 433 mm)
Drivers1.1” tweeter, 4.5” midrange, 9” woofer
Impedance4 ohms nominal (3.1 ohms minimum, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner)
Sensitivity86.4dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner)
Spinorama Preference Score7.55
Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub8.91
Weight45.9 lbs (20.8 kg) each
Woofer Cabinet3-way, bass reflex
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