Devialet Phantom Ultimate: A Refined Evolution
The Devialet Phantom Ultimate represents a refined expression of its beloved icon, built on a philosophy that started with a blank page but learned from a decade of innovation. As chief product and technical officer Jean-Loup Afresne notes, the goal isn’t to erase the past but to preserve the elements that define success while enhancing what matters most to listeners: power, precision, and the pure joy of music.
Design Identity: Preserve the Icon, Improve the Substance
From the outside, the Phantom Ultimate keeps much of the familiar spherical silhouette that helped popularize the line in 2015. The visual continuity is deliberate: the shape has become a symbol of Devialet’s approach to compact, room-filling sound. Inside, the team faced a delicate balancing act: change what must be changed for performance while keeping the features that fans expect. Afresne explains, “The main challenge is to not change the things which must not be changed.”
With two versions available—98dB and 108dB—the Ultimate does not reinvent the wheel; it rewrites the engine. The internal power supply has been redesigned to run cooler and cleaner, delivering the same monumental output with greater efficiency. The result is a speaker that stays composed under demanding playback while sipping less energy and producing less heat.
Performance Upgrades: More Bandwidth, Clearer Sound
The Phantom Ultimate expands its digital prowess with a turbocharged hybrid amplification system and a broader bandwidth up to 35kHz. This upgrade translates into more air, depth, and dimension in the soundstage, letting high-frequency textures feel more immediate and natural. In tandem, a faster processor and a fully re-engineered tweeter work together with the updated operating system to deliver better control, faster transients, and a more coherent overall performance.
Connectivity and User Experience
Modern listening environments demand versatile streaming and wireless options. The Phantom Ultimate now offers Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, and compatibility with AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Roon Ready, and UPnP. This connectivity portfolio ensures that whether you’re streaming from a phone, a home network, or a multi-room setup, the Phantom Ultimate integrates smoothly with contemporary listening habits.
What Remains Worth Keeping—and What Changes
Afresne’s guiding principle was to “not change the things which must not be changed.” Yet the team did not stop at cosmetics. They redesigned the internal architecture to improve efficiency, power delivery, and clarity of the sound without sacrificing the iconic character that defines the Phantom line. The result is described as a more refined and assured execution, with finishes that include Pearl, Deep Green, and Opéra de Paris—each a nod to elegance as well as performance.
The Sound Philosophy: A Delicate Balance of Power and Finesse
Devialet’s audacious goal has long been to manufacture a small device capable of a specific, immersive sound experience. The Ultimate pushes this ambition further: greater internal efficiency, an expanded high-frequency response, and smarter DSP curation all contribute to a sound that remains expansive and controlled, even at higher volumes. It’s this balance—robust authority anchored by technical finesse—that sits at the heart of the Phantom legacy.
Verdict: A Sophisticated Step Forward for a Beloved Icon
For listeners who value a compact form factor without compromising power, the Phantom Ultimate stands as a sophisticated refinement rather than a radical reinvention. It respects the original’s strengths while addressing contemporary expectations for efficiency, connectivity, and sound clarity. The question isn’t whether Devialet could push further; it’s how the company could best honor the Phantom’s legacy while moving the bar higher. The Ultimate answers with purpose, craftsmanship, and a clear commitment to better-than-before engineering.
