Devialet Phantom Ultimate – what can 108 dB and 98 dB speakers with HBI do

Let’s imagine the scene: a 30-square-meter apartment, a single speaker in the corner of the living room. I hit play on Beethoven’s symphony concert and… the first bar, and the room trembles like an opera hall. This isn’t an exaggeration. This is reality with the Devialet Phantom Ultimate.

108 decibels, bass dropping down to 14 Hz, peak power of 4,500 W. Numbers that sound abstract—until you hear it for yourself. Then you realize something has shifted in the premium audio world.

The Ultimate series has just been announced—September 17 and 18, 2025. The timing is no coincidence. Right before the holidays, when the luxury audio segment is searching for something fresh, Devialet lays down cards that could change everything. “Must-have” is the word that keeps coming up in conversations about this series.

Devialet Phantom Ultimate – from the very first bass hit

Why am I writing about all this right now? Because this isn’t just another high-end speaker. It’s more of a turning point for the entire category. When you see the price and compare it to what you’ve gotten from the competition so far, you start to wonder.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at a few key issues:

• How the Phantom philosophy has evolved from the first models to the Ultimate
• Whether HBI and ADH technology is just marketing or a true revolution
• Comparison with the competition – where the Ultimate excels and where it might disappoint
• Practical tests in various home environments

I have to admit, I’m genuinely curious to see how this series will meet expectations. Devialet has spent years building its reputation, but the Ultimate is by far the boldest step in their history.

To understand where this boldness comes from, it’s worth going back to the very beginning. The story of the Phantom is a fascinating journey through a decade of changes in the approach to home audio.

The Evolution of the Phantom – A Decade of Innovation

The story of Devialet proves that sometimes the craziest ideas turn out to be the best ones. It all began in 2007, when three Frenchmen decided to turn the world of hi-fi upside down.

Actually, it was clear from the very beginning that these guys meant business. The CES Innovation Award in 2015 for the first Phantom wasn’t a coincidence. What Hi-Fi? wrote about a revolution, EISA handed out accolades. Suddenly, everyone was talking about this strange egg from France.

But the real magic was happening elsewhere. Over the years, we witnessed something fascinating—Devialet consistently made their speakers smaller while boosting their power. It sounds like science fiction, but they’re actually doing it.

Even more interesting is the shift in strategy. At first, the Phantom was a gadget for hi-fi maniacs with deep pockets. Now? It’s a symbol of luxury in the mainstream. We see these speakers in influencer lofts, exclusive hotels, car showrooms. Devialet has stopped being a niche brand and has become synonymous with top-tier sound quality for a broader audience.

What’s always intrigued me is how they’ve managed to maintain this level of innovation for so many years. Some companies have one breakthrough product and just keep rehashing it. Devialet keeps surprising us—every new model is a technological leap, not just cosmetic tweaks.

Phantom Ultimate is the next step in this evolution. Looking at the whole story, from the first sketches in 2007 to what they’re set to unveil in September 2025, we see one thing—consistency in the pursuit of perfection. And that’s exactly why it’s worth taking a closer look at what’s hidden beneath that elegant exterior.

HBI technology from the inside

Just like in rocket engines, where a controlled explosion generates thrust, HBI technology uses air implosion to create bass at a frequency of 14 Hz. It might sound strange, but the physics behind it are quite straightforward.

The key lies in two woofers positioned opposite each other:

Woofer A: >< || ><:Woofer B
 implosion

When one moves forward, the other moves back with exactly the same force. The pressure p = F/A acts both ways simultaneously. The air between them gets compressed, then comes the implosion. It all happens inside a sealed chamber, so the energy doesn’t escape to the sides.

In the anechoic chamber, the test revealed something fascinating—the enclosure barely vibrates at all. All vibrations cancel each other out, and the bass comes out only through the ports. That’s why you can place a glass of water on top and not spill a single drop.

The ADH system combines analog sensitivity with digital precision. The analog part reacts instantly to the signal, without the delays typical of digital. The digital control ensures distortion never exceeds 0.0005% THD. It sounds like science fiction, but it’s just solid math and quality components.

SAM works like a personal equalizer for each speaker. It measures the response at 24-bit/192 kHz resolution and corrects it in real time. Every unit is a bit different due to manufacturing tolerances. SAM knows this and compensates for the differences automatically.

Energy efficiency is a separate topic—standby mode draws just 0.5 W, but it can jump to 350 W when needed.

Devialet uses amplifier class switching. During quiet passages, it runs in class A, which is very efficient. When a bass drop hits, it automatically switches to high-power class D. The transition takes microseconds, so the listener never notices.

All this engineering serves one purpose—to deliver the full frequency range in a compact enclosure without compromise. Implosion gives us the low frequencies, ADH ensures fidelity, SAM corrects imperfections. It sounds complicated, but in practice, you just turn it on and listen.

Now the question—how does all this perform in a real living room at different volume levels?

Ultimate 108 dB versus 98 dB in the living room

Have you ever wondered if you can really hear the difference between 98 and 108 decibels at home? Because for a long time, I thought it was just marketing.

In a 20 m² apartment, the 98 dB model is more than enough. Seriously, sometimes it even gets too loud at half volume. But in a 60 m² loft, you can feel that the 108 dB has more air, it doesn’t choke at higher volumes.

Stereo pairing is a whole different story. Two 108 dB units in a home theater can deliver a real cinema experience. The 98 dB is fine too, but you miss that physical presence of bass during explosions. Multi-room up to 10 units? Here, the 98 dB makes sense—lower costs, less power drawn from the grid.

As for placement—the minimum distance from the walls is 30 cm for the 98 dB, 50 cm for the 108 dB. The larger model simply moves more air. Height? Ideally at ear level, but stands help with low tables. Besides, stands aren’t just about height—they also reduce vibrations.

User profile is the key to your decision.

Audiophile seeking detail:

98 dB ✔ – enough precision, less disturbance for neighbors
Movie buff with a large room

108 dB ✔ – needs that power for effects
Luxury minimalism

98 dB ✔ – smaller size, less dominant in the space
Home party enthusiast

108 dB ✔ – volume without compression
Apartment dweller

98 dB ✔ – your neighbors will thank you

And finally, let’s be honest—the price difference matters too. But that’s where budget and priorities come into play.

Let’s decide if the heart will tremble – what’s next?

Time for honesty – you don’t buy gear like the Phantom Ultimate based solely on reviews. It’s like choosing a partner online. You need to meet in person, feel the chemistry.

We have a tried-and-true method for making decisions. I call it the “test before you buy,” and it consists of three stages:

1. Booking a listening session at an authorized showroom – not every location has the Phantom Ultimate in stock, so it’s best to call ahead
2. Checking your own Wi-Fi network compatibility—it may sound boring, but it will save you the hassle of connection issues later.
3. DOS 2 firmware update is already in the testing phase – many people forget about this, but the difference is noticeable.

Actually, it’s often the last point that shapes the overall impression. Without the latest software, even the best hardware can be disappointing.

What’s next in the world of premium audio? Devan Acoustics is planning global availability in Q1 2026—which will finally make servicing in Poland much easier. Apparently, they’re also working on integration with voice assistants, though personally I’m not sure that’s the right direction. The Phantom Ultimate is really designed for listening to music, not for ordering pizza.

I find the focus on sustainable materials much more interesting. The audio industry is finally starting to think about the environment.

“Audio will be even more immersive in 2030 – but only for those who invest in the right equipment today.”

Your post-reading checklist should be simple: budget set, space measured, multi-room needs considered.

There’s no point in putting off the listening session forever. Phantom Ultimate isn’t just a purchase for years to come—it’s an investment in your everyday experience. Every day you delay is one less day of hearing music the way the artist intended it to be heard.

Have you already scheduled your listening session, or are you still reading more reviews?

Noah

technology editorial

Luxury News/Premium Journalist