In 2015, Devialet launched its flagship Phantom speakers, which became hugely popular in the HiFi community and remain highly regarded speakers today, 10 years later. Now, Devialet has just launched the upgrade, the Phantom Ultimate, and just like their predecessors, they come in two versions: a 98dB version and a 108dB version. The new models bring Devialet’s signature room-filling sound and elegant design, plus new Heart Bass Implosion technology and improved connectivity that enhance your listening experience.
Devialet Phantom Ultimate Price
The Devialet Phantom Ultimate price starts at US$1900 for the 98 dB version, and it goes up to $2400 if you want to get the Opéra De Paris version. The Phantom Ultimate 108 dB is more expensive at $3800 for the base finishes, and $4300 for the Opéra De Paris finish. Why does the Opéra De Paris cost more? It has 22-carat Moon Gold leaf applied on the side plates, and it was made in partnership with Parisian gilding workshops.
Design and Build Quality
The design of both versions of the Devialet Phantom Ultimate is identical. The first thing that grabs you about these speakers is their distinctive egg-shaped form. This isn’t just for looks; the curved design reduces cabinet diffraction and helps create a wide, even soundstage throughout your room.
The Phantom Ultimate comes in three finishes: Deep Forest, Light Pearl, and a special Opéra De Paris edition. The 108 dB version also gets black chrome accents. The build uses an ABS outer shell combined with a reinforced glass fiber polycarbonate inner shell. An aluminum central spine holds the two shells together while managing heat dissipation. The top of the speaker has four touch controls for Bluetooth, play/pause, and volume.
Both versions see the woofer get an updated motor for more precise bass control, while the tweeter grille has been refined to deliver clearer high-frequency detail. The woofer on the Phantom 108 dB has a softer suspension, which lets the woofer cones move further without losing control.
Features and Technology
One of the key features of the Devialet Phantom Ultimate is Speaker Active Matching (SAM). This technology adapts in real-time to match the audio output perfectly between the Phantom’s internal drivers, eliminating tiny delays and ensuring phase-perfect sound reproduction. The updated woofers in the 108 dB model take advantage of this and produce a more controlled, tighter bass.
Heart Bass Implosion (HBI) is a technology that moves the woofers in complete symmetry, which makes the Phantoms generate a large amount of air pressure in their small speaker cabinet. This removes vibrations, allowing the speakers to go as low as 14 Hz in the 108 dB model, which gives you extremely deep bass and removes the need for a subwoofer.
Analog Digital Hybrid (ADH) amplification combines the smooth sound quality of analog amplification (Class A) and the power efficiency of digital amplification (Class D). In practice, the Class D section follows the current in real-time to eliminate timing errors, and the Class A section sets the voltage to produce the best sound character possible. This is the same technology we’ve seen before in the Devialet Astra, my reference amplifier.
Adaptive Volume Level (AVL) uses real-time dynamic equalization and adjusts your volume based on the content you are playing. In practice, this means dialogue stays clear in movies and vocals cut through in music without you having to constantly adjust volume.
The Devialet Phantom Ultimate also gets an NXP iMX8 processor, which gives the speakers more power for advanced streaming protocols. The Phantoms support Apple AirPlay, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Roon, Google Cast, UPNP, and they have Bluetooth 5.3 and WiFi 6.
Setting Up The Devialet Phantom Ultimate Speakers
Room Placement
Because of the small size of the Devialet Phantom Ultimates, I was extra careful with how I placed them in my room. Devialet has an easy-to-understand section on their website for speaker placement, and I followed that for the best results. They recommend positioning the speakers 18-35 inches off the ground, and keeping at least 12 inches between the speaker and any wall so bass frequencies can reflect naturally.
I placed the Phantoms 7 feet away from my listening position, and I also tried out stereo mode by placing the two speakers about 8 feet apart, and I arranged them so that they formed an equilateral triangle (angled towards me) with my listening position. These measurements gave me the best soundstage, but as always, you should position your speakers according to your room size, furniture placement, and personal preferences.
The Devialet App
The Devialet Phantom Ultimate speakers can be set up through the Devialet app as well, and I recommend using the app from the very start. It has a six-band graphic EQ that has configured presets for each band, and you can also customize your EQ to your liking. It has four listening modes and one optional overlay, and you can set a different EQ for each mode, and even configure the EQ for multiple rooms. The app pushes firmware updates to the Phantoms directly, and you can toggle AVL across different modes.
Sound Quality
The 98dB Devialet Phantom Ultimate delivers surprisingly big sound for its compact size. In my medium-sized living room, a single unit filled the space with balanced, controlled audio that never felt strained. The bass has real weight without overwhelming the mids, and vocals cut through clearly whether I was listening to tracks or watching movies. Everything stayed clean at higher volumes; previous Phantom models would start to compress, but the Ultimate keeps its composure. For smaller to medium rooms, or if you want something that works equally well for music and TV audio, the 98dB hits the sweet spot.
The 108dB model can genuinely replace a traditional stereo system in larger rooms. I tested it with Kendrick Lamar’s “HUMBLE.” and the low-end extension was remarkable, deep, controlled bass that you feel as much as hear, without any bloat. The soundstage opens up dramatically with tracks like Childish Gambino’s “Redbone,” where individual instruments maintain their space in the mix even during busy passages. Watching “Dune: Part Two” showcased the 108dB version’s dynamic range, delivering thunderous explosions while keeping dialogue intelligible and environmental details clear.
Both models benefit from Devialet’s refined tuning, but the 108dB truly shines when you need to fill larger spaces or want that concert-like impact.
108 dB vs 98 dB – Which One Is Better For You?
The choice between these models comes down to room size, budget, and how loud you actually listen. If you have a small to medium room (under 300 square feet) and don’t need earth-shaking volume, the 98dB model makes perfect sense. At $1900, it delivers exceptional sound quality that works equally well for background music and focused listening sessions. It’s also ideal if you live in an apartment where pushing volumes too high isn’t realistic anyway. For a desktop, a single unit of the 98 dB version will work wonders.
The 108dB model justifies its $3800 price tag in larger spaces or if you want that visceral, live-music impact. The extra power isn’t just about getting louder; it’s about maintaining composure and detail when you do push the volume. If you’re replacing a full stereo system or if you have a large living room, the 108dB is worth the investment. The deeper bass extension and improved dynamics make it feel like a completely different class of speaker.
Devialet Phantom Ultimate vs Older Phantom Models
If you’re coming from the older Phantom generations, whether you should upgrade depends on which model you currently own and how you use it.
From Phantom I 108dB: The Phantom Ultimate 108dB is the most meaningful upgrade, especially if you listen at higher volumes. The new model delivers smoother treble, tighter bass control, and better composure when pushed hard. The improved heat management and driver control make it feel more refined in real-world listening situations, particularly in busy homes where the speakers get heavy use.
From Phantom I 103dB: This is trickier since the Ultimate 98dB doesn’t match the raw power of your 103dB. However, if you’re open to running a stereo pair, two Ultimate 98dB speakers will sound more open, refined, and coherent than your single 103dB unit, even if they don’t quite match the absolute volume levels.
From Phantom II: If you’re using your Phantom II in a small room at moderate volumes, there’s no rush to upgrade. The Ultimate 98dB is more refined with cleaner treble and tighter bass, but your Phantom II still sounds very good in that context. The upgrade makes more sense if you’re in a medium-sized room or finding yourself hitting the limits of your single unit; in that case, stepping up to a stereo pair of Ultimate 98dB models will give you cleaner midrange, wider stereo imaging, and more controlled bass.
The key improvements across all Ultimate models are the enhanced driver control, better connectivity with WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3, and the refined tuning that keeps everything composed at higher volumes.
Is The Devialet Phantom Ultimate Compatible With Other Devialet Products?
The Phantom Ultimate works best when paired with other Phantom speakers through Devialet’s DOS3 platform. This proprietary system keeps everything locked at 96 kHz/24-bit resolution with perfect synchronization, which is crucial for maintaining the tight imaging and precise timing that makes stereo pairing so effective.
If you own other Devialet products like the Mania portable speaker or Dione soundbar, you can still group them with the Phantom Ultimate for multiroom playback using AirPlay 2 or Roon. This works well for spreading music throughout your home, but it doesn’t use the same high-resolution DOS3 connection. The result is that while you get convenient whole-house audio, you won’t get the same precise soundstage and timing that makes Phantom-to-Phantom pairing so impressive.
Verdict
The Devialet Phantom Ultimate earns its premium pricing with genuinely impressive performance that justifies the investment. The 98dB model at $1900 hits the sweet spot for most listeners, delivering serious hi-fi sound in a compact, elegant package that works equally well for music and movies.
The 108dB model is for those with larger rooms. At $3800, it’s not cheap, but it delivers the kind of room-filling, dynamic sound that would cost significantly more in a conventional speaker setup. The Heart Bass Implosion technology and improved driver control make both models feel like genuine leaps forward from their predecessors.
The wireless connectivity is comprehensive, the build quality is exceptional, and the sound quality competes with traditional speakers that cost $5000. If you have the budget and want speakers that disappear into your décor while delivering serious performance, the Devialet Phantom Ultimate delivers on its promises.
FAQs
Q: Can I use just one Phantom Ultimate speaker, or do I need a pair?
A single Phantom Ultimate works great on its own. The omnidirectional design fills rooms evenly, making it ideal for casual listening or TV audio. However, a stereo pair creates proper imaging and soundstage that’s worth the investment if your room and budget allow.
Q: How does the Phantom Ultimate compare to traditional bookshelf speakers?
The Phantom Ultimate eliminates the need for separate amplifiers, DACs, or streaming devices while delivering comparable sound quality to high-end bookshelf speakers. You’re trading some upgradeability for convenience and the unique design.
Q: Is the $1000 price difference between the 98dB and 108dB models worth it?
It depends on your room size and listening habits. In smaller rooms or at moderate volumes, the 98dB is sufficient. The 108dB justifies its price in larger spaces or if you want the extra dynamic range and deeper bass extension.
Q: Do these speakers work well for home theater use?
Yes, especially the 108dB model. The wide soundstage and controlled bass make them excellent for movies, though you’ll miss some surround effects compared to a dedicated surround system. They’re ideal for stereo movie watching or as front speakers in a larger setup.
Q: How reliable is the wireless connectivity?
Very reliable with WiFi 6 and the updated processor. The multiple connection options (AirPlay, Spotify Connect, Roon) ensure you can stream from virtually any device, and the wired Ethernet backup provides stability for critical listening sessions.
Specifications
Dimensions: Width: 246 mm / 9.7 in | Depth: 342 mm / 13.5 in | Height: 255 mm / 9.7 in
Weight: 11.1 kg / 24.5 lbs
Maximum Sound Level: 108 dB SPL @ 1m
Total amplification power: 1100W
Frequency response: 14 Hz – 35 kHz (+/- 6 dB)
Power supply: 100-240 V~50/60Hz
Processor: SoC NXP i.MX 8M Nano 4 x 1.5 GHz
Loudspeakers: 1x Tweeter aluminium dome (new-gen)
1x Medium aluminium dome (new-gen)
2x Woofers ABS dome (new-gen)
Side plating: Body: ultra-mate painting – PANTONE 9102C
Side panels: Plastic – mirror polished – PVD PANTONE METAL 8380C
Exclusive Technologies: ADH® next-gen, SAM®, HBI®, AVL™, DAC Magic Wire®, Devialet ASIC, Devialet Operating System DOS 3