Phantom Ultimate
Flex2 the Max
When Devialet introduced the first Phantom in 2015, the French brand turned the world of wireless high-end audio upside down. More compact than a traditional loudspeaker, yet with a power and finesse that went far beyond its category.
Now there is the Phantom Ultimate: a new generation that raises the bar both visually and sonically. The series consists of two models – the 98dB and the 108dB – each with its own character and strengths.
Subtle refinements
At first glance, the Phantom Ultimate does not reveal a radical new design – and that’s good news.
The iconic shape remains, but with several refinements:
- New finishes: Matt Deep Forest and Matt Light Pearl
- Subtle control buttons on top for volume, pause/stop, and Bluetooth
- A discreet multicolor LED for status indication
- Plastic woofers, less fragile than before
- A new tweeter and a high-performance NXP iMX8 Nano processor
All accessories are immediately available in the new finishes. The Phantom Ultimate is exclusively offered in 98dB and 108dB versions.
New Devialet app
Equally important is the software.
The redesigned Devialet app has undergone a full transformation – both in looks and functionality:
- Support for Tidal Connect, Qobuz Connect (coming soon), and Google Cast
- New energy modes, audio modes, and a 6-band graphic equalizer
- Continued support for Spotify Connect, Roon Ready, UPnP, AirPlay 2, and Bluetooth
The equalizer is especially impressive: for the first time, Phantom can be tailored to the listener’s preferences without any loss in sound quality.
Phantom Ultimate 98dB
Where the previous Phantom II 98dB sometimes sounded a bit analytical, the new Ultimate 98dB is the exact opposite. The sound is richer, fuller, and smoother, with a warm, almost analog signature.
In listening sessions, this model repeatedly won listeners’ hearts – sometimes even over the larger 108dB version. It’s a speaker that presents music in an embracing and grand manner, without creating distance.
The trade-off? The bass is less tight, and the placement of voices and instruments (staging) is less precise than its predecessor. But thanks to the equalizer, that’s easy to adjust: with Sport or Sport+ mode, the 98dB suddenly sounds just as detailed as the old Phantom II – or better.
In short: the 98dB is a surprisingly mature all-rounder that can easily compete with much more expensive systems.
Phantom Ultimate 108dB
The 108dB version is the true high-end performer. Thanks to the new tweeter, woofers, and processor, the level of detail, openness, and staging is unprecedented. Voices and instruments are placed in space with precision, and even at whisper volume the full experience remains intact.
It’s this quality that makes the Phantom Ultimate 108dB feel like a traditional high-end system – but in a compact, wireless form. Piano notes linger longer, microdetails emerge, and the presentation is lightning-fast and transparent.
The trade-off? The new 108dB is less full and forgiving than its predecessor. Some listeners may prefer the more relaxed, slightly warmer character of the older 108dB. Again, the equalizer provides the solution: with Comfort mode, the speaker sounds closer to the previous generation.
Flex2 the Max
Both Phantom Ultimates have their own character:
- 98dB – warmer, fuller, more embracing.
- 108dB – more detailed, open, refined.
Thanks to the equalizer, these differences are no longer absolute choices. Phantom can adapt to the listener – from comfortable and relaxed to analytical and exact. That makes the series more unique than ever.
With Phantom Ultimate, Devialet proves that progress can also be subtle. The visual updates are refined, the app makes control more flexible, and the sound quality is – depending on the model – either richer and fuller, or more high-end and detailed.
For some, the 98dB is an unbeatable price-performance champion. For others, the 108dB is the ultimate wireless high-end experience. What they share is that both fit seamlessly into the philosophy of Sensible Audio: technology in service of musical emotion.
