Harlequin Blue vs RAL 170-2
Harlequin Blue (Benjamin Moore) and RAL 170-2 (RAL Effect) come from different manufacturers. These are both blues, so the question isn't which hue to choose — it's where within blue to land. The 3-point LRV gap — 42 for RAL 170-2 vs 38 for Harlequin Blue — means RAL 170-2 will open up a space more effectively. ΔE 6.7 means they're clearly different, but not dramatically so — they'd pair well in the same room. Below you'll find 2 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Harlequin Blue vs RAL 170-2 in Real Spaces
2 real rooms side by side. Harlequin Blue and RAL 170-2 are close enough that the difference can be hard to judge from a chip alone — these photos show how each reads at scale, across different spaces and lighting conditions.
House
A full exterior is the most demanding test for a paint color — scale and outdoor light both amplify differences that seem small on a swatch. RAL 170-2 has the edge in reflectance, which shows as a quiet sense of added space rather than an obvious contrast.
Kitchen Cabinets
Cabinet color is always seen in context — against countertops, backsplash, and hardware — which amplifies undertone differences that might disappear on a plain wall. RAL 170-2 has the edge in reflectance, which shows as a quiet sense of added space rather than an obvious contrast.
Color Details
Harlequin Blue vs RAL 170-2 Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Harlequin Blue on one side and RAL 170-2 on the other.
Digital color is approximate. These simulations are generated from the manufacturer's hex values and overlaid on grayscale room photos — your screen's calibration, brightness, and viewing angle all affect how they render. Before committing to either color, test physical samples in your own space under the light you actually live with.
More Harlequin Blue comparisons
See how Harlequin Blue stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
