Audio First Cadentia 3 Review: Rated 4.7/5

Last updated: October 30, 2026

The Audio First Cadentia 3 is rated 4.7/5 for sound quality, #7 of 222 Large Size Bookshelf Speakers. See all Passive Home rankings for every top pick.

Audio First Cadentia 3 · Editor's rating 4.7/5, ranked #7 of 222 Large Size Bookshelf Speakers
Check price at Audio First Designs ($7199 per pair) →

Prices on this page were last checked November 11, 2026 at 3:26 AM 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.

As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.

Brand: Audio First

#7 Audio First Cadentia 3: $7199 per pair Audio First Designs $7199 eBay

Pros: A large three way bookshelf speaker with near textbook accuracy, a big enveloping soundstage, and deep, punchy bass that stays clean when loud. 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.

Is the Audio First Cadentia 3 right for you?

Buy it if

  • you want measurably neutral sound (preference score 8.9 with a subwoofer).
  • you want deep bass without a subwoofer (-3 dB at 43 Hz).
ReleasedAround 2025 (about 1 year ago)
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
Check current price at Audio First Designs ($7199) →Search eBay for Audio First Cadentia 3 →

Head-to-Head Comparisons

49 comparisons

More Audio First speakers →