DEVIALET MANIA rose

It took four years of development to condense Devialet’s acoustic expertise into a speaker you can tuck under your arm. The Mania incorporates the proprietary technologies of the Phantom range, including the push-push woofer configuration and SAM® processing, and adapts them to a self-contained 2.3 kg format. It is the French brand’s first portable speaker, and it looks unlike any other.

Six drivers, six amplifiers, a single enclosure

The Mania houses six transducers in its co-spherical body: four aluminum full-range drivers, arranged on the upper section and alternating left-right, and two side-mounted woofers in a push-push configuration, a layout inherited from the Phantom speakers. This push-push configuration makes the two diaphragms work in opposite phase: when one pushes, the other pulls. Unwanted vibrations cancel each other out, and the remaining energy goes into the low frequencies. The result: surprisingly deep bass for this size, with a response that goes down to 30 Hz.

Each transducer has its own Class D amplifier. The two woofers each receive 38 W, the four full-range drivers 25 W each, for a combined output of 176 W. The whole system covers a frequency range of 30 Hz to 20 kHz, with a maximum sound level of 95 dB SPL measured at one meter.

Cross stereo and room adaptation

Most portable speakers output a mono or pseudo-stereo signal. The Mania takes a different approach thanks to its so-called “cross-stereo” architecture: the four full-range drivers, evenly spaced around the upper part of the speaker, are assigned alternately to the left and right channels. Whatever the listener’s position relative to the speaker, a coherent stereo signal reaches them.

The ASC (Active Stereo Calibration) system fine-tunes this reproduction in real time. Four built-in microphones analyze the acoustic environment and determine the speaker’s position in the room. Placed in the center of a space, the Mania activates a 360° mode that distributes sound evenly in all directions. Moved close to a wall, it changes its behavior: the two rear drivers reinforce the front drivers, and the sound reflects off the wall to widen the soundstage. This switch from one mode to the other is automatic and seamless.

SAM: modeling in the service of fidelity

SAM® (Speaker Active Matching) technology is a patented Devialet algorithm that mathematically models the behavior of each driver. The signal sent to the transducers is continuously corrected to compensate for mechanical imperfections in the diaphragms: excess tension, unwanted resonances, distortion. The goal is to bring the emitted sound closer to the original source signal. According to Devialet, this approach eliminates almost all distortion and improves bass reproduction.

A heavy speaker, but designed to move

At 2.3 kg and measuring 176 × 193 × 139 mm, the Mania is not the kind of speaker you slip into a pocket. It is a dense object. The rigid polymer handle integrated into the top makes it easy to carry, and the mesh fabric membrane that wraps around the shell protects all the internal components.

The IPX4 certification ensures splash resistance: it can be used near a pool or in light rain without concern, but it will not survive immersion. The included carrying case completes the setup for travel.

Battery life and charging

The built-in 3,200 mAh battery provides up to 10 hours of listening at moderate volume. At high volume, that duration decreases noticeably. A full recharge takes about 3 hours via the included USB-C cable and power adapter (USB-C PD 12V 2.5A). A wireless charging station, the Devialet Mania Station, is available separately (it is included with certain special editions such as the Opéra de Paris). Simply place the speaker on it to start charging while continuing to listen.

Connectivity: Wi-Fi indoors, Bluetooth outside

The Mania offers two connection modes. Over Wi-Fi (dual-band 802.11ac, 2.4 and 5 GHz), it provides access to Spotify Connect, AirPlay 2, and Alexa voice commands, with higher audio quality than Bluetooth. AirPlay 2 also opens up the possibility of multiroom use with other compatible speakers, including other Devialet products. The speaker is also listed as Roon Tested.

Over Bluetooth 5.0, the Mania supports the SBC and AAC codecs. High-resolution codecs such as aptX or LDAC are not supported. Bluetooth latency is high (beyond 500 ms according to published measurements), which makes synchronization with a video source difficult. For video, AirPlay 2 is preferable, as it compensates for this delay. Bluetooth also does not support multipoint: only one device can be connected at a time. Note the absence of any wired audio input, as the USB-C port is reserved for charging.

The Devialet app and the DOS2 system

The Mania runs on Devialet Operating System 2 (DOS2), the same software as the Phantom speakers and the Dione soundbar. Initial setup is done through the Devialet app, available on iOS and Android, which lets you connect the speaker to Wi-Fi, configure Alexa, customize the equalizer, and receive firmware updates. Touch controls on the speaker provide access to the basic functions (play, pause, volume) without using the phone.

Frequently asked questions

Can the Devialet Mania be used as a speaker for a television?

The high Bluetooth latency (over 500 ms) causes a visible delay between picture and sound, which makes this use rather uncomfortable. Via AirPlay 2 from an Apple device, the delay is reduced and use becomes more viable, but the Mania remains above all a music speaker.

Can two Mania speakers be paired in stereo?

Yes. Two Mania speakers can be paired via AirPlay 2 to form a left-right stereo pair. The setup is done from the Devialet app.

Does the speaker support Chromecast or DLNA?

No. The supported streaming protocols are Bluetooth, Wi-Fi (Spotify Connect, AirPlay 2), and Alexa voice commands. Neither Chromecast nor UPnP/DLNA is available.

What processor powers the Mania?

The speaker is equipped with four ARM Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 1,400 MHz. This processing power drives SAM® processing, ASC calibration, and the DOS2 operating system.

Technical specifications

Audio performance

• Frequency range: 30 Hz - 20 kHz
• Maximum sound level: 95 dB SPL at 1 metre
• Frequency response: 30 Hz - 20 kHz
• Amplification performance: 2 x 38 W class D for woofers, 4 x 25 W class D for full-range speakers
• Audio technologies: SAM® Speaker Active Matching, ASC - Active Stereo Calibration, crossed stereo architecture

Battery life and power

• Battery life: up to 10 hours at moderate volume levels
• Built-in battery: 3200 mAh
• Charging time: 3 hours for 100% capacity
• Power supply: USB-C PD 12 V 2.5 A
• Power consumption: less than 0.5 W in standby mode

Dimensions and weight

• Weight: 2.3 kg
• Dimensions (width x height x depth): 176 mm x 193 mm x 139 mm
• Volume: 2.6 L

Hardware components

• Speakers: 4 aluminium full-range speakers, 2 woofers
• Processor: 4 x ARM Cortex-A53 1400 MHz
• Operating system: Devialet Operating System 2 (DOS 2)
• Microphones: 4-microphone array
• Resistance rating: IPx4

Connectivity and network

• Wi-Fi: dual band (802.11a / b / g / n / ac 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz)
• Bluetooth: 5.0
• Connectivity: Spotify Connect, Bluetooth 5.0, Roon Tested, AirPlay
• Audio codecs: SBC, AAC
• Multiroom: AirPlay

Features

• Voice assistant: Alexa
• Touch control: yes
• App: Devialet app

Box contents

• Devialet Mania Rose Bloom
• USB-C power cable and power adapter
• User guide
• Carrying case