I don't know the exact scientific answer, Almarg can maybe speak to this, but I think that the +/-3dB is a range within which a speaker's frequency response is tested. I have also seen a +/-6dB range, on the specs for the Quad 22L2, and have read that this wide a range means that the extreme points of the frequency response can actually vary widely. keeping the specification within +/-3dB results in a more dependable rating of the low and high frequency responses.
I think.
I think.