Radiant Acoustics Clarity 66 vs JBL Studio 698

Last updated: September 16, 2026

Short answer: the Radiant Acoustics Clarity 66 if sound quality matters most, the JBL Studio 698 if price matters most. The Radiant Acoustics Clarity 66 ranks #5 of 71 floorstanding speakers at $7998. The JBL Studio 698 ranks #21 at $699, $7299 cheaper.

Radiant Acoustics Clarity 66 vs JBL Studio 698

What the Radiant Acoustics Clarity 66 offers: 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 5.10 standalone and 6.12 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. Watch for: 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 6.09 standalone and 6.99 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.

What the JBL Studio 698 offers: High-Definition Imaging (HDI) horn waveguide paired with a 1” compression driver provides excellent high-frequency directivity control and seamless acoustic handoff to the 6” PolyPlas midrange. Dual 8” PolyPlas woofers deliver robust low-end authority with solid bass extension down to an F3 of 53Hz and F10 of 34Hz. High voltage sensitivity (90dB SPL at 2.83V/1m) and clean power handling provide effortless dynamic headroom and low distortion for home theater and music listening. Watch for: Measured response exhibits a prominent mid-bass emphasis bump around 80Hz that can sound overly thick or chesty in smaller rooms without DSP EQ. Treble response lacks top-octave ‘air’ above 12kHz compared to high-end dome or ribbon tweeters. Physically large, heavy cabinet (35.8 kg per speaker) requires careful room placement and a wide acoustic footprint.

Buy the Radiant Acoustics Clarity 66 when sound quality outweighs the price for you, and the JBL Studio 698 when the price outweighs sound quality instead.

Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.

Specifications Side By Side

Radiant Acoustics Clarity 66 JBL Studio 698
Price$7,998 per pair$699.00 per pair
Ranked#5 of 71 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers#21 of 71 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers
Bass Extension (-3dB)32.2Hz (measured, Audio Science Review)53Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner)
Bass Extension (-10dB)24.4Hz (measured, Audio Science Review)34Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner)
Sensitivity85.9dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review; 86dB manufacturer specified)90dB (measured average, Erin's Audio Corner)
DriversCustom waveguide-loaded tweeter with beam-expansion fins, 2x 6.5" Purifi USHINDI aluminum-cone woofers1 in. High-Definition Imaging compression driver, 6 in. PolyPlas midrange, dual 8 in. PolyPlas woofers
Dimensions40.4"H x 8.7"W x 14"D (1025 x 222 x 355 mm)41.7"H x 11.8"W x 15.7"D (1058 x 300 x 400 mm)
Weight101.4 lbs (46 kg) each78.9 lbs (35.8 kg) each
Impedance4 ohms nominal6 ohms nominal (4.1 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured by Erin's Audio Corner)
Crossover Frequency2.4kHz-
Woofer Cabinetported, large rear portported, rear
Spinorama Preference Score5.103.33
Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub6.125.27

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

Prices on this page were last checked September 16, 2026 at 12:41 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.

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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 5.10 standalone and 6.12 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 6.09 standalone and 6.99 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
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 Score5.10
Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub6.12
Weight101.4 lbs (46 kg) each
Woofer Cabinetported, large rear port

JBL Studio 698: $699.00 per pair Amazon Crutchfield eBay

JBL Studio 698 ranking card

Pros: High-Definition Imaging (HDI) horn waveguide paired with a 1” compression driver provides excellent high-frequency directivity control and seamless acoustic handoff to the 6” PolyPlas midrange. Dual 8” PolyPlas woofers deliver robust low-end authority with solid bass extension down to an F3 of 53Hz and F10 of 34Hz. High voltage sensitivity (90dB SPL at 2.83V/1m) and clean power handling provide effortless dynamic headroom and low distortion for home theater and music listening. Measured bass extension of 53Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 90dB.

Cons: Measured response exhibits a prominent mid-bass emphasis bump around 80Hz that can sound overly thick or chesty in smaller rooms without DSP EQ. Treble response lacks top-octave ‘air’ above 12kHz compared to high-end dome or ribbon tweeters. Physically large, heavy cabinet (35.8 kg per speaker) requires careful room placement and a wide acoustic footprint.

Bass Extension (-10dB)34Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner)
Bass Extension (-3dB)53Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner)
Dimensions41.7"H x 11.8"W x 15.7"D (1058 x 300 x 400 mm)
Drivers1 in. High-Definition Imaging compression driver, 6 in. PolyPlas midrange, dual 8 in. PolyPlas woofers
Impedance6 ohms nominal (4.1 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured by Erin's Audio Corner)
Sensitivity90dB (measured average, Erin's Audio Corner)
Spinorama Preference Score3.33
Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub5.27
Weight78.9 lbs (35.8 kg) each
Woofer Cabinetported, rear