Phantom Ultimate 98 dB embodies Devialet’s new generation of connected speakers, combining 400 watts of power and a frequency response spanning 18 Hz to 25 kHz in a surprisingly compact form factor. This single-speaker unit, designed and manufactured in France, represents ten years of technological evolution since the first Phantom launched in 2015, integrating the latest advances in digital signal processing and hybrid amplification. With its quad-core 1.5 GHz NXP i.MX 8M Nano processor and new DOS 3 operating system, it offers extensive connectivity including Tidal Connect and Google Cast, two protocols absent from previous generations.
Mechanical construction in service of acoustic purity
The Phantom Ultimate 98 dB’s structure reflects an approach where every element contributes to controlling parasitic vibrations. The speaker features a bi-injected composite design combining an inner layer of glass fiber-reinforced polycarbonate and an outer ABS shell. This construction is anchored by a central injected-aluminum core, a true backbone capable of withstanding the considerable forces generated by the lateral drivers during their excursions.
The speaker’s dimensions (157 × 219 × 168 mm, 4.3 kg) remain identical to those of the Phantom II it replaces, but several substantial changes have been made. The full-range driver grille now offers a 13% higher open area ratio, allowing better propagation of high frequencies. The lateral aluminum woofers, visible for the first time without protective covers, provide a striking visual display when in motion, with excursions reaching several centimeters on the deepest notes.
The user interface has been redesigned with four capacitive touch controls positioned on the top: volume control, play/pause, and Bluetooth activation. An LED indicator communicates operating status through simple visual codes (off, flashing on startup, solid white in operation). Two finishes are available: Deep Forest, a deep green with black chrome reflections, and Light Pearl, a matte pearly white reminiscent of biscuit porcelain. A special Opéra de Paris edition, the result of a partnership initiated in 2017, features gilded contours with hand-applied gold leaf from Ateliers Gohard, requiring eight hours of artisanal work per unit.
Next-generation ADH: the perfect synthesis of analog and digital
At the heart of Phantom Ultimate 98 dB beats ADH (Analog Digital Hybrid), Devialet’s foundational technology perfected since 2004. This hybrid approach runs a Class A analog amplifier—renowned for linearity and musicality—in parallel with Class D digital amplifiers, prized for energy efficiency and compactness. The principle resembles power steering in cars: the analog amplifier generates the output voltage and defines signal quality, while the digital amplifiers supply the current needed to drive the drivers.
This new ADH generation benefits from refined control algorithms enabling perfect synchronization between the two amplification types, even at the highest frequencies. The analog amplifier retains a natural bandwidth extending from DC up to 5 MHz, ensuring flawless transient reproduction and zero phase shift within the audio band. The digital amplifier, with no output capacitor, achieves an effective 90% efficiency with a constant output impedance below one milliohm across the spectrum.
SAM (Speaker Active Matching) technology analyzes the electromechanical characteristics of the drivers in real time using laboratory laser interferometry measurements. More than sixty parameters are modeled for each transducer: displacement, deformation, velocity, acceleration, resonances. This algorithmic processing corrects time offsets between the different drivers, particularly in the bass where diaphragms respond more slowly. The result is exceptional time coherence and bass extension well beyond usual physical limits.
Acoustic performance that defies the laws of physics
The HBI (Heart Bass Implosion) system is one of Devialet’s acoustic signatures. This suite of multiphysics innovations allows the two 2 × 75 mm side woofers to reach down to 18 Hz despite an internal volume of just 3.5 liters. The drivers operate in a push-push configuration, with their diaphragms moving symmetrically in and out in perfect sync. This arrangement cancels reaction forces that, in a conventional speaker, would generate cabinet-borne vibrations.
The maximum sound pressure of 98 dB SPL at 1 meter may seem modest compared with the 108 dB of the higher model, but it is more than sufficient to fill rooms up to 40 m². Signal processing is performed internally at 32-bit/96 kHz, preserving the resolution of high-definition files. Inputs accept signals up to 24-bit/192 kHz, although streaming via certain protocols like AirPlay is limited to 16-bit/44.1 kHz.
AVL (Adaptive Volume Level) technology, inherited from the Dione soundbar, dynamically adjusts EQ based on the content. This intelligent processing maintains tonal balance at all listening levels, compensating for human hearing limitations at low volumes while preserving dialogue clarity in audiovisual content. Background noise, measured at 0 dB SPL at 1 meter, attests to the electronics’ exceptionally silent operation.
Wireless connectivity designed for the modern ecosystem
The new DOS 3 operating system, powered by the NXP i.MX 8M Nano processor, marks a major leap in Phantom’s streaming capabilities. Native Tidal Connect integration now lets subscribers stream directly from the mobile app without going through the Devialet interface. Google Cast offers similar functionality for the Android ecosystem, facilitating multiroom playback and voice control via Google Assistant.
AirPlay and Spotify Connect, already present in previous generations, benefit from optimizations that reduce latency and improve connection stability. Roon Ready (RAAT) compatibility will appeal to audiophiles with extensive music libraries, offering advanced metadata management and automatic upsampling. The UPnP protocol enables playback of files stored on a NAS or a computer on the local network, with a maximum resolution of 24-bit/96 kHz.
Physical connectivity is intentionally limited to a mini-TOSLINK optical input and an RJ45 Ethernet port. This apparent simplicity reflects actual usage: the optical input, compatible with 3.5 mm jack adapters, allows connection of an analog source via an external converter or direct hookup to a TV. Ethernet ensures a stable link for multiroom setups with multiple speakers, with Devialet’s proprietary protocol allowing perfect synchronization of up to 16 units.
Wi‑Fi 5 (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac) in 2×2 MIMO configuration operates on the 2.4 and 5 GHz bands, automatically adapting to network conditions. Bluetooth 5.2, limited to SBC and AAC codecs, is more of a fallback solution than a preferred listening mode, with the absence of high-definition codecs like aptX HD or LDAC confirming this orientation.
The Devialet app: control and personalization hub
The Devialet mobile app, completely redesigned for this new generation, goes beyond a simple remote control. Initial setup—mandatory even for Bluetooth-only use—guides the user through network configuration and firmware updates. The stereo pairing process automatically detects two Phantom Ultimate 98 dB units on the same network and offers to link them.
The six-band parametric EQ lets you tailor the sound signature to the room’s acoustic characteristics or personal preferences. Three preset listening modes optimize processing based on content: Music Mode for faithful reproduction of the original recording, Cinema Mode with expanded spatialization and enhanced dynamics, and Podcast Mode prioritizing vocal intelligibility. Night Mode automatically reduces low-frequency amplitude to preserve neighborly peace without sacrificing listening quality.
Advanced settings include latency adjustment for audio/video sync, particularly useful when watching content on a TV connected via optical. Auto power-off scheduling, configurable from 30 minutes to 12 hours of inactivity, optimizes energy consumption. In standby, the speaker draws just 2 watts while remaining instantly accessible over the network.
Wi‑Fi: Wi‑Fi 5 (802.11 a / b / g / n / ac) – 2×2 MIMO (2.4 and 5 GHz)
Ethernet: RJ45 (100 / 1000 Mbps)
Inter-speaker connection: Devialet DOS 3 protocol (96 kHz / 24-bit)
Optical input: 1 × mini‑TOSLINK
Streaming services
AirPlay
Google Cast
Spotify Connect
Tidal Connect
UPnP
Roon Ready (RAAT)
Bluetooth 5.2 (A2DP and AVRCP profiles, SBC and AAC codecs)
Power
Voltage: 100–240 V ~ 50 / 60 Hz
Power consumption
Off: < 0.5 W
Standby: < 2 W
Dimensions and weight
Speaker: 157 × 219 × 168 mm (W × D × H)
Weight: 4.3 kg
Packaging: 210 × 285 × 250 mm – 5 kg
Box contents
Devialet Phantom Ultimate 98 dB
Power cable
Documentation
Frequently Asked Questions
Can two Phantom Ultimate 98 dB speakers be used in a stereo configuration?
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Yes, the Devialet app makes it easy to pair two identical speakers to create a true stereo image. Synchronization occurs automatically via Wi‑Fi or Ethernet, with imperceptible latency between the two channels. The soundstage gains significantly in width and depth, with instruments positioned precisely in space. For best results, space the speakers 1.5 to 2.5 meters apart and toe them in 25 to 30 degrees toward the listening position.
What is the main difference between the Phantom Ultimate 98 dB and the 108 dB model?
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Beyond the difference in maximum sound pressure (10 dB represents a perceived doubling of volume), the 108 dB model uses a three-way configuration with separate coaxially mounted tweeter and midrange, versus a two-way configuration for the 98 dB. The higher model’s woofers use ABS diaphragms instead of aluminum, allowing greater excursion and extension down to 14 Hz. The 108 dB also includes Wi‑Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3, compared with Wi‑Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5.2 for the compact version.
Does the Phantom Ultimate 98 dB require an app to operate?
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The Devialet app is essential for initial setup, even if you plan to use Bluetooth only. Once configured, the speaker can be controlled via the integrated touch controls or directly from compatible streaming apps (Spotify, Tidal, etc.). The app is still recommended for access to advanced settings, firmware updates, and the customizable equalizer.
Can SAM technology damage the drivers?
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On the contrary, SAM includes sophisticated protection mechanisms based on precise modeling of each transducer’s physical limits. The system continuously monitors diaphragm excursion and dissipated power, automatically limiting the signal before critical thresholds are reached. Paradoxically, this dynamic protection allows the drivers to be used more fully than with a conventional amplifier, while ensuring their integrity even during prolonged listening at high volume.
User reviews
Farid
A real disaster for an audiophile. My wife wanted one and, listening to it in the showroom, I found it not bad. But after a few hours of listening at home I started to find it very mediocre. Good for going boom boom, but for musicality you can give it a miss. It’s going to end up on leboncoin.
Comment from May 13, 2026 — Experience from March 10, 2026
Automatically translated — Show original (French)
Un vrai désastre pour audiophile. Ma femme
en voulait une et a l’écoute au showroom, je l’ai trouvé pas mal. Mais après qq heures d’écoute chez moi j’ai commencé à la trouver très moyenne. Bien’pour faire boum boum mais pour la musicalité on peut passer son tour. Elle va finir sur le boncoin.
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