Radiant Acoustics Clarity 66 vs Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Tower

Last updated: October 1, 2026

Short answer: the Radiant Acoustics Clarity 66 for distortion, the Ascend ELX Ribbon Tower for smoothness. Amir called the Clarity 66’s measured distortion “unheard of,” hugging the near zero line even in deep bass at 86dB SPL and holding under 1% even at 91dB SPL, though its vertical directivity is pinched. The ELX’s RAAL ribbon tweeter and dual SEAS Excel woofers measure a genuine 38.7Hz extension with a 0.05dB per octave on-axis slope.

Radiant Acoustics Clarity 66 vs Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Tower

Buy the Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Tower. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $2,300 less than the Radiant Acoustics Clarity 66.

Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.

Specifications Side By Side

Radiant Acoustics Clarity 66 Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Tower
Price$7,998 per pair$5,698 per pair
Ranked#6 of 74 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers#7 of 74 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers
Bass Extension (-3dB)32.2Hz (measured, Audio Science Review)38.7Hz (measured, spinorama.org vendor data)
Bass Extension (-10dB)24.4Hz (measured, Audio Science Review)28.5Hz (measured, spinorama.org vendor data)
Sensitivity85.9dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review; 86dB manufacturer specified)87.5dB @ 2.83V/1m anechoic (manufacturer)
DriversCustom waveguide-loaded tweeter with beam-expansion fins, 2x 6.5” Purifi USHINDI aluminum-cone woofersRAAL 70-20xram ribbon tweeter, 6” SEAS Excel Curv midrange (sealed sub-chamber), 2x 6” SEAS Excel aluminum woofers
Dimensions40.4”H x 8.7”W x 14”D (1025 x 222 x 355 mm)43”H x 7.5”W x 10.5”D (1092 x 190 x 267 mm)
Weight101.4 lbs (46 kg) each56 lbs (25.4 kg) each
Impedance4 ohms nominal8 ohms nominal
Crossover Frequency2.4kHz-
Woofer Cabinetported, large rear port-
Spinorama Preference Score6.016.97
Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub7.038.42
DIY KitNoNo
Enclosure-ported
Power Handling-400W continuous, 600W peak
Frequency Response-36-27,000Hz +/-3dB anechoic (manufacturer)
Warranty-7 years parts and labor
Country-United States

More worthwhile head-to-heads for Radiant Acoustics Clarity 66:

Prices on this page were last checked October 3, 2026 at 10:26 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

Radiant Acoustics Clarity 66: $7,998 per pair Radiant Acoustics eBay

Radiant Acoustics Clarity 66 ranking card

Pros: ASR’s revised Spinorama measurement shows bass reaching 32.2Hz at -3dB and 27.8Hz at -6dB, giving substantial low-end weight without a subwoofer. The response spans 2.3dB from 300Hz to 5kHz, with preference scores of 6.01 standalone and 7.03 with an ideal subwoofer. The review’s exceptionally low bass distortion at ordinary levels complements that extension, while dual 6.5-inch Purifi woofers provide a strong foundation for full-range listening. Measured bass extension of 32.2Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 85.9dB.

Cons: Vertical directivity is narrow and horizontal coverage is uneven, so listening height and placement affect tonal balance. Treble resonances and response irregularities keep it from reference-level neutrality. Spinorama’s modeled EQ improves the scores to 6.85 standalone and 7.75 with an ideal subwoofer, but those are corrected results, not stock performance. Measured sensitivity is 85.9dB at 2.83V/1m with a nominal 4-ohm load; use an amplifier comfortable driving 4 ohms. Distortion rises at very high playback levels.

Bass Extension (-10dB)24.4Hz (measured, Audio Science Review)
Bass Extension (-3dB)32.2Hz (measured, Audio Science Review)
Crossover Frequency2.4kHz
DIY KitNo
Dimensions40.4”H x 8.7”W x 14”D (1025 x 222 x 355 mm)
DriversCustom waveguide-loaded tweeter with beam-expansion fins, 2x 6.5” Purifi USHINDI aluminum-cone woofers
Impedance4 ohms nominal
Sensitivity85.9dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review; 86dB manufacturer specified)
Spinorama Preference Score6.01
Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub7.03
Weight101.4 lbs (46 kg) each
Woofer Cabinetported, large rear port

Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Tower: $5,698 per pair Ascend Acoustics eBay

Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Tower ranking card

Pros: A RAAL 70-20xram ribbon tweeter and dual SEAS Excel aluminum woofers in a 3-way, 4-driver bamboo tower measure a genuine 38.7Hz extension point with a nearly flat on axis slope of 0.05dB per octave, one of the flattest measured towers we list. The bass alignment Q of 0.62 keeps the low end well damped rather than peaky. Backed by a 7 year parts and labor warranty and hand assembled in Orange County, California, with each pair matched within +/-1.5dB. Measured bass extension of 38.7Hz (-3dB).

Cons: Listening window smoothness measures a moderate 0.40 and on axis deviation runs 0.286dB average, both trailing the tighter figures posted by some of the passive AsciLab and Ascend bookshelf models in this same batch. At $5698/pair it is Ascend’s most expensive tower, well above the Titan dome tweeter version of the same cabinet. The manufacturer’s own claimed sensitivity (87.5dB) runs nearly 1.5dB higher than the independently measured average (86.1dB), worth accounting for when matching an amplifier.

Bass Extension (-10dB)28.5Hz (measured, spinorama.org vendor data)
Bass Extension (-3dB)38.7Hz (measured, spinorama.org vendor data)
CountryUnited States
DIY KitNo
Dimensions43”H x 7.5”W x 10.5”D (1092 x 190 x 267 mm)
DriversRAAL 70-20xram ribbon tweeter, 6” SEAS Excel Curv midrange (sealed sub-chamber), 2x 6” SEAS Excel aluminum woofers
Enclosureported
Frequency Response36-27,000Hz +/-3dB anechoic (manufacturer)
Impedance8 ohms nominal
Power Handling400W continuous, 600W peak
Sensitivity87.5dB @ 2.83V/1m anechoic (manufacturer)
Spinorama Preference Score6.97
Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub8.42
Warranty7 years parts and labor
Weight56 lbs (25.4 kg) each