Short answer: the Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2. Both are rated 4.4/5 for sound quality (#24 and #28 of 222 bookshelf speakers), and the Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2 costs $798 against $4,500 for the Radiant Acoustics Clarity 6.2, and with sound quality even, the cheaper one is the better buy.
What the Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2 does well: High-quality manufacturer Klippel NFS data shows 0.295dB on-axis average absolute deviation, 0.531 listening-window smoothness, and a strong 7.99 preference score with a subwoofer. The catch: Bass rolls off early for the cabinet size, measuring 77.6Hz at -3dB, 64.5Hz at -6dB, and 48.3Hz at -12dB; the preference score without a subwoofer is only 5.33.
The Radiant Acoustics Clarity 6.2 is the more accurate, deeper-bass choice. Custom AMT (Air Motion Transformer) tweeter paired with a 6.5” Purifi Eikona midrange and dual Purifi passive radiators in a passive-radiator enclosure, crossed over at 2.4kHz. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 5.97 against 5.33 for the Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2. Its bass reaches about 55Hz before falling 3dB, against 77.6Hz for the Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2. Watch for: Needs a fairly specific setup to sound its best: about 15-20° of toe-out (per the manufacturer’s own recommendation) and roughly 2 feet from the rear wall; pointed straight on-axis, the treble reads as noticeably elevated.
Buy the Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $3,702 less than the Radiant Acoustics Clarity 6.2.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2 | Radiant Acoustics Clarity 6.2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $798 per pair | $4500 per pair |
| Ranked | #24 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #28 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 77.6Hz (measured, spinorama.org) | 55Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | approximately 53Hz (measured, spinorama.org) | 32Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | Two 6.5-inch woofers; 27mm soft-dome tweeter | 6.5” PURIFI USHINDI woofer, Custom AMT (Air Motion Transformer) tweeter |
| Sensitivity | 92dB at 2.83V/1m anechoic | 84.3dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal | 4 ohms nominal (2.1 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Power Handling | 240W continuous; 400W short-term peak | - |
| Dimensions | 21 x 7.5 x 10.5 in each | 14.3”H x 8.7”W x 10.5”D (363.2 x 221 x 266.7 mm) |
| Weight | 29.1 lbs (13.2 kg) each | 23.8 lbs (10.8 kg) each |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.33 | 5.97 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.99 | 7.75 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Woofer Cabinet | - | passive radiator |
Frequency Response Compared
Both speakers’ spinorama measurements, overlaid. A flatter line is more neutral: peaks sound forward or harsh, dips sound recessed. Each curve is shifted so its average from 300 Hz to 3 kHz sits at 0 dB, so loudness differences between the two are removed and only the shape is compared. The two were measured by different sources, so small differences, especially in the bass, can come from the measurement setup rather than the speakers.
Measurement data: Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2 (measured by the manufacturer) and Radiant Acoustics Clarity 6.2 (measured by Erin’s Audio Corner), via spinorama.org.
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2:
- Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2 vs Perlisten S4b
- KEF Reference 1 Meta vs Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2
- Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2 vs GR-Research NX-Studio
- AsciLab C6B vs Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2
- Audio First Cadentia 3 vs Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2
Prices on this page were last checked October 15, 2026 at 5:41 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Speakers In Full
Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2: $798 per pair Ascend Acoustics $798 eBay
Older model: the Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE Center (rated 3.7/5). See every Ascend CBM, HTM and CMT generation.
Same family: the Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 SE2 (smaller bookshelf, ranked lower, rated 3.8/5) and the Ascend Acoustics HTM-200SE2 (smaller bookshelf, rated 4.3/5).
Pros: High-quality manufacturer Klippel NFS data shows 0.295dB on-axis average absolute deviation, 0.531 listening-window smoothness, and a strong 7.99 preference score with a subwoofer. Its dual 6.5-inch woofers, 92dB anechoic sensitivity, and 240W continuous power rating support high output and dynamics. Measured bass extension of 77.6Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Bass rolls off early for the cabinet size, measuring 77.6Hz at -3dB, 64.5Hz at -6dB, and 48.3Hz at -12dB; the preference score without a subwoofer is only 5.33. The 4.35 sound-power directivity-index standard deviation also indicates more off-axis variation than the strongest designs, and the rear port needs placement clearance.
Full Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2 review and specifications →
| Released | Nov 2022 (3 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | approximately 53Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 77.6Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 21 x 7.5 x 10.5 in each |
| Drivers | Two 6.5-inch woofers; 27mm soft-dome tweeter |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal |
| Power Handling | 240W continuous; 400W short-term peak |
| Sensitivity | 92dB at 2.83V/1m anechoic |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.33 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.99 |
| Weight | 29.1 lbs (13.2 kg) each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2 vs Arendal 1528 Monitor 8
- Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2 vs Wharfedale Super Linton
- Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2 vs MoFi SourcePoint 10
- Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2 vs AsciLab F6Bs
- Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2 vs Dynaudio Heritage Special
- Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2 vs MoFi SourcePoint 8
- Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2 vs Buchardt Audio E50
- Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2 vs KEF R3
- See all 47 comparisons
Radiant Acoustics Clarity 6.2: $4500 per pair Radiant Acoustics $4500 eBay
Same family: the Radiant Acoustics Clarity 4.2 (smaller bookshelf, rated 3.8/5) and the Radiant Acoustics Clarity 66 (floorstanding, rated 4.6/5).
Pros: Custom AMT (Air Motion Transformer) tweeter paired with a 6.5” Purifi Eikona midrange and dual Purifi passive radiators in a passive-radiator enclosure, crossed over at 2.4kHz. Rigid cabinet construction (21mm MDF with a 15mm aluminum front baffle, extensive internal bracing) helps keep resonance in check. A deliberately rising on-axis response paired with narrowing directivity above about 2kHz yields a genuinely linear, non-fatiguing in-room sound rather than the “fake detail” of speakers with a straight treble boost. Excellent pair matching between units (within about 1dB), contributing to precise, well-focused imaging that clearly separated fine details in test tracks. In-room bass extension reaches a solid 40Hz with real kick-drum authority, not just sub-bass rumble. Class-leading dynamic range and compression performance: among the best the reviewer has measured at this price point. Measured bass extension of 55Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 84.3dB.
Cons: Needs a fairly specific setup to sound its best: about 15-20° of toe-out (per the manufacturer’s own recommendation) and roughly 2 feet from the rear wall; pointed straight on-axis, the treble reads as noticeably elevated. Low impedance (2.1-ohm minimum, about 1-ohm minimum EPDR) demands an amplifier genuinely comfortable with 4-ohm-and-below loads. Soundstage width narrows above about 5kHz, even though the AMT tweeter itself is capable of wider dispersion. An unexplained resonance appears in harmonic distortion measurements on both units tested (though not on the reviewer’s reference speaker): possibly a basket resonance, and not something the reviewer could hear. A minor bump around 500Hz in the estimated in-room response could add a touch of boxiness for some listeners, though the reviewer didn’t personally notice it. F3 of 55Hz and F10 of 32Hz mean a subwoofer is still needed for home-theater rumble or bass-heavy genres like rap.
Full Radiant Acoustics Clarity 6.2 review and specifications →
| Released | Sep 2024 (2 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 32Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 55Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 14.3”H x 8.7”W x 10.5”D (363.2 x 221 x 266.7 mm) |
| Drivers | 6.5” PURIFI USHINDI woofer, Custom AMT (Air Motion Transformer) tweeter |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (2.1 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 84.3dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.97 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.75 |
| Weight | 23.8 lbs (10.8 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | passive radiator |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Radiant Acoustics Clarity 6.2 vs MoFi SourcePoint 10
- Radiant Acoustics Clarity 6.2 vs Dynaudio Heritage Special
- Radiant Acoustics Clarity 6.2 vs Wharfedale Super Linton
- Radiant Acoustics Clarity 6.2 vs Arendal 1528 Monitor 8
- Radiant Acoustics Clarity 6.2 vs Wharfedale Linton 85
- Radiant Acoustics Clarity 6.2 vs AsciLab F6Bs
- Radiant Acoustics Clarity 6.2 vs Ascend Acoustics Sierra-LX
- Radiant Acoustics Clarity 6.2 vs Revel M126Be
- See all 45 comparisons