When it named this model Clarity 4.2, Radiant Acoustics implicitly promised clarity and transparency. And, to my amazement, it delivered.
According to Radiant Acoustics, the Clarity series was created through a strong partnership between three companies owned by Peter Lyngdorf, with the goal of making high-quality hi-fi accessible (€2,598/pair) to all music enthusiasts: HiFi Klubben, PURIFI, and Nordic Hi-Fi, combining PURIFI's technology, HiFi Klubben's experience and infrastructure, and Nordic Hi-Fi's direct-to-consumer approach.
Deceptive Looks
The Clarity 4.2 might look like a simple piece of minimalist design: a small rectangular box, veneered in walnut, white, or matte black, with a milled aluminium front and chamfered edges. However, those who judge only by looks miss the point. It is anything but minimalist.
The cabinet is extremely solid, with a 12 mm aluminium baffle, high-density MDF panels with internal bracing, and Basotect foam damping. It passed the “knuckle test” with flying colours: tapping it with your knuckles results in a damp, dry sound with no hollow resonance.
The Ushindi woofer rubber suspension surround is irregular for acoustic reasons, not because it's damaged.
Ushindi Drivers
The core of this miniature is PURIFI's 4-inch Ushindi mid-bass unit—a true prodigy of long excursion and minimal distortion—flanked by two 4-inch passive radiators, also from Ushindi, capable of extending the frequency response to an impressive 40 Hz (-6dB/200Hz). All this is housed in a speaker measuring only 164 x 260 x 194 mm with an internal volume of just over eight litres.
In the high frequencies, an AMT (Air Motion Transformer) tweeter, shared with the larger Clarity 6.2 model, ensures quick response and transparency in the upper audio spectrum.
How they sound
Radiant lives up to its name, delivering clarity effortlessly. The Clarity 4.2s virtually disappear, allowing the soundstage to extend well beyond the physical dimensions of the cabinets, with width and depth unheard of in this price (and size) category. Meanwhile, instruments and voices emerge with holographic precision, maintaining full body and textured detail.
Instruments and voices emerge with holographic precision, maintaining full body and textured detail.
The tonal balance is outstanding. The low midrange, supported by the PURIFI Ushindi and passive radiators, is surprisingly deep and controlled, with no cabinet colouration. The midrange breathes naturally, and that's where the magic happens: voices come through with remarkable timbral purity, whether accompanied by piano, strings, guitar, or percussion.
The treble, managed by the AMT, is crystal clear but never harsh; it radiates without causing ear fatigue, provided the volume isn't excessive. And, perhaps most impressively, this performance remains consistent even at low volumes—something many compact monitors fail to meet.
The 4-inch PURIFI Ushindi offers agility and texture in the midrange, while the passive radiators add body and weight to the bass without drawing attention as separate sound sources. The result is a mature, controlled sound.
AMT Symetric AMT horn loaded tweeter
Hats off, but...
After a few days of listening, I had to take my hat off to the engineers responsible, two young men I had the pleasure of meeting at a Zoom presentation of the Clarity 4.2.
However, I must temper your expectations a bit, as the Clarity 4.2s have a relatively low sensitivity (around 78 dB) and a nominal impedance of 4 Ω, which makes them demanding in terms of current. They are therefore not the ideal match for a modest 30W integrated amplifier. They deserve—and demand—a powerful partner capable of delivering 60 to 100 real watts per channel. When well-fed, these little Radiants show everything they've got: controlled bass, uncoloured mids, open highs, and micro dynamics in abundance.
For those who prefer listening at moderate volume levels, I also tested them with the LAB12 Mighty, which allegedly outputs only 10W per channel. The sound was very satisfying, with excellent texture and, as expected, slightly less dynamic.
So, I admit that they felt more at home with the Musical Fidelity B1xi, an affordable 100W integrated amplifier rated at 4 ohms. I also tried them with the 100‑watt Class D Eversolo Play. They worked, but I had to dial the volume up close to full to get the best results.
Don’t be fooled by their petite dimensions: they aren’t traditional “bookshelf” speakers. Those side‑mounted passive drivers need open air to do their job. If you wedge the cabinets between rows of books, you choke off the bass. On the upside, the sealed design (no rear reflex port) means you can position them closer to a rear wall than ported models. Like most proper studio monitors, though, they really come alive when perched on dedicated stands in an uncluttered spot, where the soundstage can unfold without obstruction.
Radiant Acoustics Clarity 4.2: front and back
Wrapping up
The Radiant Acoustics Clarity 4.2 is a rare example of a small speaker with a surprisingly big personality. Its enclosure blends advanced engineering with an ear for musicality, pulling tiny details out of recordings without sacrificing warmth or emotion. Whether you’re listening to a Mozart minuet, a Miles Davis solo, or a rock anthem, these speakers maintain a balanced tone and honest dynamics usually associated with reference monitors.
They also embody a classic hi‑fi principle: don’t listen to the speaker; listen to the music. The soundstage feels larger and more vivid than I ever expected from such a small box. For anyone looking to enjoy serious music in a small room without giving up too much fidelity, they’re an excellent bet at just €2,598/pair.
Part of their charm is the contrast between their almost delicate and feminine size and the energetic, full-bodied sound they project. To underscore that, I paired them with tracks by three female artists—Celeste, Ina Forsman, and Cassandra Wilson—whose work combines these antithetical characteristics of subtlety, strength, and energy.
Part of their charm is the contrast between their almost delicate and feminine size and the energetic, full-bodied sound they project.
Listening Impressions
Celeste
Celeste – “This Is Who I Am”
This song, from the 2024 series The Day of the Jakall (starring Oscar‑winner Eddie Redmayne), starts with hushed piano notes and airy synths that bring to mind suspended strings. The tapestry of sound expands far beyond the little Clarity 4.2 cabinets.
Celeste’s voice appears at the centre—fragile and melancholic, yet very clear. Soon, electronic percussion and synthetic bass arrive, deep and controlled, lending the track a stately, almost processional feel.
When she reaches the emotional crescendo, the synthetic layers swell to an epic scale without burying the individual instruments. The piano remains the melodic anchor. If Celeste is new to you, check out “Both Sides of the Moon,” which has a hint of Erykah Badu.
Ina Forsman
Ina Forsman – “I Want Some Sugar in My Bowl”
The mood builds slowly as the piano lays down forceful chords. Then Ina Forsman’s sultry, blues-tinged voice enters—warm and sensuous, like torn silk. The Clarity 4.2s pick up every nuance, making it feel as if she’s singing right to you. When a saxophone joins in, its warm, metallic tone (think Stan Getz) intertwines with her vocals in a seductive duet. It transports you to a smoky jazz club. Given the vibe, you’d never guess Forsman hails from Finland.
The AMT tweeter adds brightness without harshness, and the small PURIFI woofer, supported by the dual passive ABR system, provides the bass with just the right weight, making the acoustic result convincing.
Cassandra Wilson
Cassandra Wilson, “Fragile”
Cassandra sings over a bed of South American-inspired rhythmic patterns, with congas marking the beat, while nylon strings draw delicate guitar chords.
The Clarity 4.2s reproduce Cassandra's powerful, smoky voice along with whispering bass, exuding the warmth of the south and memories of living experiences up North, as if emanating from the earth. Her vocal tone remains natural despite the grain in her husky voice, contradicted by silky contours on sustained notes, which the Clarity 4.2s reproduce with impressive fidelity.
Note: Radiant Acoustics does not have a listed distributor in Portugal. The company focuses on selling directly to customers and operates through a network of partner companies. They emphasize a direct sales model to offer high-end audio products at affordable prices, including a 30-day home trial.
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