Short answer: the Radiant Acoustics Clarity 6.2 for better sound quality, the Ascend CBM-170 SE2 for the lower price. The Radiant Acoustics Clarity 6.2 ranks #27 of 130 bookshelf speakers at $4500. The Ascend CBM-170 SE2 ranks #66 at $468, $4032 cheaper.
What the Ascend CBM-170 SE2 offers: On-axis response is impressively flat from about 100Hz to 2kHz, staying within roughly ±1dB, with a clean, gradual bass rolloff below that. The directivity index rises smoothly and predictably through the crossover region, and the estimated in-room response shows a smooth, consistent downward tilt from 100Hz to 10kHz with no major discontinuities - close to the ideal in-room target shape. Measured sensitivity of 86.8dB nearly matches Ascend’s 87dB spec. The manufacturer’s own preference-score modeling comes out to 5.81 unequalized (rising to 8.17 with an ideal subwoofer, or 6.33/8.41 with EQ applied) - a strong result for a compact 2-way, and a clear step up from the original CBM-170 SE this replaces. Watch for: A narrow dip in the on-axis and listening-window response appears in the 3-5kHz range (down to about -2.7dB), mirrored by a matching dip in the directivity index at the same frequencies - likely a brief widening of dispersion right at the tweeter/woofer crossover. High-frequency directivity narrows substantially above 10kHz, typical for a small dome tweeter, so the top octave will sound more reserved off-axis than on-axis. Bass rolls off as expected for a compact 2-way monitor: -3dB around 70Hz and -10dB around 50Hz, so a subwoofer is needed for full-range use. This data comes from the manufacturer’s own Klippel measurements rather than an independent third-party review, so there’s no outside verification of channel matching, distortion, or unit-to-unit consistency.
What the Radiant Acoustics Clarity 6.2 offers: 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. 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. 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.
Buy the Ascend CBM-170 SE2 when the price outweighs sound quality for you, and the Radiant Acoustics Clarity 6.2 when sound quality outweighs the price instead.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Ascend CBM-170 SE2 | Radiant Acoustics Clarity 6.2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $468 per pair | $4500 per pair |
| Ranked | #66 of 130 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #27 of 130 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 70Hz (measured, manufacturer spinorama data) | 55Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50Hz (measured, manufacturer spinorama data) | 32Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 86.8dB (2.83V/1m, measured, manufacturer spinorama data; 87dB manufacturer specified) | 84.3dB (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 27mm custom SEAS soft dome tweeter, 6.5" proprietary composite polygel cone woofer | 6.5" PURIFI USHINDI woofer, Custom AMT (Air Motion Transformer) tweeter |
| Dimensions | 12H x 9W x 9.5D in | 14.3"H x 8.7"W x 10.5"D (363.2 x 221 x 266.7 mm) |
| Weight | 15 lbs (6.8 kg) each | 23.8 lbs (10.8 kg) each |
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 4 ohms nominal (2.1 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Power Handling | 200W continuous, 400W peak | - |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | passive radiator |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.81 | 5.13 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.17 | 6.90 |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Ascend CBM-170 SE2: $468 per pair Ascend Acoustics eBay
Pros: On-axis response is impressively flat from about 100Hz to 2kHz, staying within roughly ±1dB, with a clean, gradual bass rolloff below that. The directivity index rises smoothly and predictably through the crossover region, and the estimated in-room response shows a smooth, consistent downward tilt from 100Hz to 10kHz with no major discontinuities - close to the ideal in-room target shape. Measured sensitivity of 86.8dB nearly matches Ascend’s 87dB spec. The manufacturer’s own preference-score modeling comes out to 5.81 unequalized (rising to 8.17 with an ideal subwoofer, or 6.33/8.41 with EQ applied) - a strong result for a compact 2-way, and a clear step up from the original CBM-170 SE this replaces. Measured sensitivity of 86.8dB.
Cons: A narrow dip in the on-axis and listening-window response appears in the 3-5kHz range (down to about -2.7dB), mirrored by a matching dip in the directivity index at the same frequencies - likely a brief widening of dispersion right at the tweeter/woofer crossover. High-frequency directivity narrows substantially above 10kHz, typical for a small dome tweeter, so the top octave will sound more reserved off-axis than on-axis. Bass rolls off as expected for a compact 2-way monitor: -3dB around 70Hz and -10dB around 50Hz, so a subwoofer is needed for full-range use. This data comes from the manufacturer’s own Klippel measurements rather than an independent third-party review, so there’s no outside verification of channel matching, distortion, or unit-to-unit consistency.
Full Ascend CBM-170 SE2 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50Hz (measured, manufacturer spinorama data) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 70Hz (measured, manufacturer spinorama data) |
| Dimensions | 12H x 9W x 9.5D in |
| Drivers | 27mm custom SEAS soft dome tweeter, 6.5" proprietary composite polygel cone woofer |
| Impedance | 8 ohms |
| Power Handling | 200W continuous, 400W peak |
| Sensitivity | 86.8dB (2.83V/1m, measured, manufacturer spinorama data; 87dB manufacturer specified) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.81 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.17 |
| Weight | 15 lbs (6.8 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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Radiant Acoustics Clarity 6.2: $4500 per pair Radiantacoustics eBay
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 →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 32Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 55Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| 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 | 5.13 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.90 |
| Weight | 23.8 lbs (10.8 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | passive radiator |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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