French audio company Devialet has introduced the Phantom Ultimate, the latest evolution of its wireless speaker first launched in 2015. Positioned as the heir to an icon, the Phantom Ultimate represents a decade of innovation, created to deliver pure high-resolution sound with greater intensity, clarity, and depth.
Jacques Demont, chief executive officer at Devialet, said: “Devialet is more ambitious than ever. With Devialet Phantom Ultimate, we reaffirm our status as a pioneer in the audio industry. This new era invites listeners to experience sound with unprecedented intensity, clarity, and depth. Behind this achievement lies engineering excellence—a true testament to our savoir-faire and expertise.”
Design and craftsmanship
The Phantom Ultimate retains Devialet’s distinctive rounded form but has been refined to emphasise purity and precision. On the 108 dB model, the woofer core cover has been removed, creating a seamless silhouette and requiring a re-engineering of the central core and assembly process. The tweeter grille has also been redesigned after six months of research and multiple iterations to strike the right balance between acoustics and aesthetics.
The new speaker debuts in two finishes. Deep Forest combines an organic dark tone with black chrome detailing that reveals subtle green reflections, while Light Pearl offers an ultra-matte off-white shade inspired by ceramics. The long-standing partnership with the Opéra national de Paris continues with the Opéra de Paris edition, which features 22-carat gold leaf applied by master gilders at Ateliers Gohard, the same workshop responsible for restoring the Palais Garnier. This collaboration not only celebrates French craftsmanship but also supports artistic creation at one of the country’s most prestigious cultural institutions.
All models are produced at La Manufacture Devialet in France, where precision robotics are combined with hand craftsmanship. A dedicated workshop at the site also handles repairs, ensuring every unit can be restored to its original performance standards.
Technology and user experience
At the core of the Phantom Ultimate are Devialet’s proprietary technologies, including the new generation of Analog Digital Hybrid (ADH), which combines the linearity of analogue Class A amplification with the efficiency of digital Class D, now improved for greater precision and energy management. The Speaker Active Matching (SAM) algorithm continuously adapts to ensure fidelity while protecting the loudspeakers. Heart Bass Implosion (HBI) delivers ultra-low frequencies down to 14 Hz, while Adaptive Volume Level (AVL), first introduced with the Devialet Dione soundbar, automatically adjusts the volume depending on content type.
A new NXP i.MX 8M Nano processor integrated into the system-on-a-chip provides more efficient audio processing and optimised performance. The 108 dB model delivers 1,100 W of amplification power and a frequency range from 14 Hz to 35 kHz, supported by 32-bit/96 kHz processing. It also incorporates four newly registered patents and improvements to the bass, midrange, and tweeter drivers to reduce distortion and deliver higher precision. The more compact 98 dB version produces 400 W of power with coverage from 18 Hz to 25 kHz, featuring a unique co-spherical wideband driver that significantly expands the soundstage while maintaining accuracy.
Both models support solo, stereo, or multi-room configurations through AirPlay, Google Cast, and Roon Ready. Connectivity has been upgraded with Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3, ensuring smoother streaming and compatibility with a wide range of platforms. The redesigned Devialet app has been developed to provide intuitive control, offering modes tailored for music, podcasts, and cinema, along with a six-band equaliser and functions such as Bass Reducer and Loudness compensation. Four touch controls have also been added to the top of the 108 dB model for convenient in-person operation. Software updates are delivered through the app, ensuring the speakers continue to evolve with time.
Pricing and availability
The Phantom Ultimate 108 dB is priced at US$3,800 in Deep Forest and Light Pearl, and US$4,300 for the Opéra de Paris edition. The Phantom Ultimate 98 dB is priced at US$1,900 in Deep Forest and Light Pearl, and US$2,400 for the Opéra de Paris edition. The range will be available from 17 September through Devialet’s website, stores, and authorised retailers, with pre-orders open for select items depending on stock.
A decade of innovation
The original Phantom, launched in 2015 after three years of R&D and 88 patents, set a new benchmark in compact high-end sound. A decade later, the Phantom Ultimate builds on that legacy, backed by more than 250 patents across acoustics, electronics, and manufacturing. Devialet’s approach to sound has earned over 100 international awards and established partnerships with companies such as Safran, Ariane, Alpine, and BYD, as well as cultural institutions including the Opéra national de Paris. With the Phantom Ultimate, Devialet continues its ambition to merge advanced engineering with French design, creating what it describes as a physical and emotional listening experience.
