Tens years after the Devialet Phantom made a big splash inside and outside the world of audiophilia, the company has introduced a pair of Ultimate editions.
On a personal note, I used to enjoy walking into the Bang & Olufsen store in our local high end mall, a mall was a place where you could buy things from lots of different stores in person, because I enjoyed looking at their latest designs. The same holds for all of the products from Devialet minus the mall experience. Call me crazy but I enjoy industrial design applied to hifi (also see Dieter Rams’ products for Braun).
There are two Ultimate versions—the Phantom Ultimate 108 dB and the Phantom Ultimate 98 dB—the difference is stated right there in the names. Decibels delivered by 1100 Watts of power for the 108dB version that has a claimed frequency response of 14 Hz – 35 kHz (+/- 6 dB), while the 98dB version offers 400 Watts and a claimed frequency response of 18 Hz – 25 kHz (+/- 6 dB). None too shabby for a 6.2″ x 8.6″ x 6.6″ ovoid.
I recommend a visit to the Devialet website to learn more about the Phantom Ultimates as they are feature rich, DSP endowed, and frankly funky when placed in a typical audiophile black box with faceplate environment. Just one example is both Phantom Ultimates offer three “Sound Modes”:
Music Mode: Your music, as the artist intended.
Movie Mode: In-theater sound, at-home comfort.
Podcast Mode: Each episode, like it’s recorded from your living room.
Yea, the language is kinda ovoid too.
Pricing:
Devialet Phantom Ultimate 108 dB: Deep Forest & Light Pearl: €3,200€ / £2,800 / $3,800 Opéra de Paris: €3,800€ /£,3300 / $4,300
Devialet Phantom Ultimate 98 dB: Deep Forest & Light Pearl: €1,500 / £1,400 / $1,900 Opéra de Paris: €1,800 /£1,650 / $2,400
The Devialet Phantom Ultimate are available now direct from devialet.com, Devialet stores, and authorized retailers.