Devialet's new speaker - The Phantom

From Devialet:

Dear Friends,

Today, we are proud and delighted to exclusively reveal to you DIALOG and PHANTOM, the new Devialet revolutions. At this very moment, the international Press is gathered in our premises in Paris to discover them.

DIALOG is an intelligent audio router which, in association with the new Devialet application, makes your life easier :
- unique interface combining all your digital contents (stored or online) in an intuitive and smooth way, whatever the file formats (from MP3 to HD audio)
- communication and synchronisation between your Devialet products throughout your home, via a dedicated and powerful network which is open to all your guests
Accessible from your smartphone, tablet or computer, DIALOG is compatible with all Devialet products*.

PHANTOM is a wireless "Implosive Sound Center", enjoyed either stand-alone or together in your preferred music, home theatre or multi-zone set-up, which simply defies the laws of acoustics and product categories. An incredible listening experience, with no distortion. The result of over three years of R&D, PHANTOM combines all the Devialet exclusive technologies (including ADH® and SAM®), miniaturized into a small enclosure, as well as a major, brand new, acoustical technology, HBI® (Heart Bass Implosion). It produces an ultra-dense sound which you don’t just hear, you feel it!

Along with the D-Premier, the Devialet 120, 200, 250, 400 et 800, DIALOG and PHANTOM make up the new Devialet audio eco-system. Of course, all Devialet products will continue to evolve through future software upgrades, as we have proven to you over the past years.

You will be able to discover more tonight on our website. You’ll be surprised.

This new phase in the Devialet adventure would not have been possible without you. Your trust and support gave us the strength and the will to continue imagining the future of audio.

Thank you

* equipped with a USB input, to begin with.
 
I think in concept it is similar to a Sonos Play 1/3/5, ie the features and benefits are similar. In practice, it seems far more sophisticated, reaching for high end performance. ADH/SAM, with factory specs that are seemingly amazing:
Freq Response 16Hz - 25kHz +/- 2dB!

20Hz - 20kHz +/- 0.05dB!

All this from a speaker roughly 12"w x 12" h x 13.75"d

Approx 22lbs

Price approx $1,350 each for the Phantom (can be sold as single or pair)
$1,590 for the Silver Phantom
Prices based on Euro at current exchange, does not take into account distribution costs, so final costs may be higher
 
I guess this should come as no surprise that Devialet has speakers now. Before anyone gets lathered up about them, it will be interesting to hear what they sound like in someone's home after the "Golly gee Wally" factor has worn off.
 
Sonos style concept done much better by the description. Although I never went for the "defies physics" description. The Sonos units all use an almost overpowering digital amp on smallish speakers designed to take that much power. The Phantom appears to have 2 woofers and a mid and or tweeter in a very small looking container.

I have not heard, but the descriptions of "dense" sound are similar to my experience with the Sonos. Heavy in the low end for an almost visceral feel, but not really that accurate. Works great at my house for "house" music. Hopefully the Phantom will better them. With the ability to handle some hi-rez files, the new control system sounds great. If only the price was closer to the Sonos stuff, perhaps Sonos would feel enough pressure to improve their sound.
 
I'm fascinated by the claims of frequency response. Subjective claims are hard to verify, but objective claims like 16Hz - 25 kHz +/- 2dB are unbelievable, given the size of the drivers. Even if the rating is done at very low volume, that doesn't explain the very low reach. Put into perspective, the amazing Genesis 1.2 can do 16 Hz, but have you seen how many woofers that speaker has?

I'd love to know more about how they are measuring the speakers, and under what tolerances. After all, since the claims are objective, it should be possible to verify.
 
Again, please hold off on self-induced nocturnal emissions until you or someone you trust has had a chance to hear them and report their findings.
 
mep said:
Again, please hold off on self-induced nocturnal emissions until you or someone you trust has had a chance to hear them and report their findings.
Click to expand...

Dear Mark,

I like your style...you crack me up!
 
My opinion, they missed the mark entirely. At least they did for the USA market. At $2k or so a pop it's too expensive for non audiophiles. The masses don't care how amazing it sounds. They think anything over $599 for music is crazy money. And audiophiles don't want a 12" ball regardless of how good it sounds. Anybody willing to trade their current rigs in on this if two if these 12" balls can actually compete with your rig? Highly doubtful.

They either need to compete in the $599 soundbar range OR focus on the $10k audiophile market. There is no middle ground for a product like this. I'm sure it sounds way better than a $599 soundbar but that's irrelevant to the non-audiophile consumer.
 
Myles B. Astor said:
The comments are funnier.
Click to expand...

A prime example of why hi end audio is not growing as it should.

"I'll hook it up to my Pono?"
"They need to be in a dedicated room?"
"I love audio, but I'm no sure my ears are good enough?"
"The problem is, how many people are willing to spend $4000 on speakers?"

So, as I see the initial reactions: most audiophiles won't take it serious (I doubt anyone will be replacing their Magico's or Sonus Fabers with these anytime soon) and non-audiophiles can't justify the cost, when there are $299 Sonos or Bose options.

Who's left?

It might be a very good product, but in all seriousness - what is the target market?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I won't put anything past them. For a lot of people, myself included, the d200 does a lot of things I did not think an integrated amp could do. Certainly not for 10k.

I dont care about the phantom, bit I hope the dialog is an Auralic Aries for 350 bucks.
 
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