Devialet’s Phantom wireless acoustics came out in many versions, and finally the moment of generational change came: the company introduced the Phantom I. It is difficult to distinguish the new model from the old visually, since most of the changes are hidden inside. True, the design of the side plates in the Devialet was nevertheless updated, and also matte colors were added.
This is the same oval barrel with a raised “nose”, in which a tweeter is hidden behind an openwork overlay. In addition to the tweeter, there are separate midrange and woofers, but now they work with an updated amplification that supports Speaker Active Matching (SAM): the system distributes the power of the amplifiers so that the speakers sound as harmonious as possible.
The new model also features Heart Bass Implosion (HBI), which delivers powerful bass response in a closed cabinet. Active Cospherical Engine (ACE) technology helps to ensure uniform sound distribution, and thanks to a redesigned heat dissipation scheme, the speaker is almost four times more energy efficient.
The Phantom I can be controlled from the updated application or from the remote control washer. With the release of Phantom I, the application has a multi-room functionality that allows you to link all Devialet models into a multi-room system. The Phantom I itself has received AirPlay2 support and Roon Ready certification for working with UPnP sources – however, the maximum available quality is limited to 24 bit / 48 kHz.
Unlike the previous model, the novelty is ready to work not only with wireless sources: now it has an optical input. Wireless functionality is extensive: in addition to the mentioned AirPlay 2 and UPnP, Spotify Connect and Bluetooth are available.
The Phantom I is available in two power options: 500 W and 103 dB SPL with a frequency range of 16 Hz to 25 kHz, or 1 100 W and 108 dB SPL with a frequency range of 14 Hz to 27 kHz. The older configuration is also available in the limited edition of the Paris Opera, which differs only in the color of the sidewalls.
The smallest Devialet Phantom I costs 1,890 euros in Europe, the bigger one costs 2,790 euros, and the Paris version will cost 3,090 euros.
