Devialet goes for gold with its latest Phantom...

There has been a distinct shortage of truly innovative companies in this industry during the last few decades. Certainly the internet has changed the methods of content delivery, but from there it has been business as usual.

French company Devialet has really bucked the trend. Their ‘Expert’ range of amplifiers is a total departure from what has come before. The technology that goes into these models is unprecedented.

However it is their wireless speakers, the Phantom series, which are attracting most of the attention, and for good reason. This range represents a showcase of extraordinary engineering.

Firstly this product looks nothing like anything that has preceded it – its appearance is more modern sculpture than audio component. Secondly the level

of power and performance achieved from a relatively small package is uncanny.

Going for Gold

Devialet have just released the latest addition to the range – the Gold Phantom as pictured here in our main image. Externally it looks the same as its less expensive siblings, other than the gold-plated side panels. However the specifications are astounding. It has a peak rated power output of 4,500 watts (that’s correct – four thousand, five hundred) producing 108dB of sound pressure level. That is the equivalent of a rock concert! It also has a rated frequency

response of 14Hz to 27kHz – very few high-end audio systems can boast that, and those that can are many multiples of the price of the Gold Phantom. Plus – for the technical minded – it has a distortion level of 0.0005%, effectively non-existent. As you would expect, this unit will play high-resolution music files along with everything else from MP3 up.

Like all Phantom models, the Gold is wireless via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, and features both Ethernet and optical inputs. It is also possible to pair two Phantom Golds to make a stereo pair.

The Devialet marketing department claims that the Gold is “The best sound in the world”. While we may not agree with this claim it is easily the best wireless speaker of its kind we know of – plus it is tons of fun. It is also a welcome departure from what we have come to expect from electronic companies.

Even if it is out of curiosity, do drop in and have a listen to the Phantom Gold. You will enjoy the experience.