DEVIALET MANIA white

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

Six speakers, six amplifiers, one enclosure

The Mania houses six transducers in its co-spherical body: four aluminum full-range speakers, arranged on the upper section in an alternating left-right pattern, and two side-mounted woofers in a push-push configuration, a layout inherited from the Phantom. 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 reaching down to 30 Hz.

Each transducer has its own Class D amplifier. The two woofers receive 38 W each, while the four full-range drivers get 25 W each, for a total output of 176 W. Altogether, it covers a frequency range from 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 deliver a mono or pseudo-stereo signal. The Mania takes a different approach thanks to its so-called “cross-stereo” architecture: the four full-range speakers, 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 speakers reinforce the front speakers, 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 speaker. 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 nearly 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 a 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 surrounding the shell protects all the internal components.

The IPX4 rating 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, this duration decreases noticeably. A full charge takes about 3 hours via the included USB-C cable and power adapter (USB-C PD 12V 2.5A). A wireless charging dock, 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 controls, 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 SBC and AAC codecs. High-resolution codecs such as aptX or LDAC are not supported. Bluetooth latency is high (over 500 ms according to published measurements), making 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, with the USB-C port 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 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 basic functions (play, pause, volume) without using the phone.

Technical specifications

Audio performance

• Frequency range: 30 Hz - 20 kHz
• Maximum sound level: 95 dB SPL at 1 meter
• Frequency response: 30 Hz - 20 kHz
• Amplification performance: 2 x 38 W Class D for the woofers, 4 x 25 W Class D for the full-range drivers
• Audio technologies: SAM® Speaker Active Matching, ASC - Active Stereo Calibration, cross-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 off 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

• Drivers: 4 aluminum full-range drivers, 2 woofers
• Processor: 4 x ARM Cortex-A53 1400 MHz
• Operating system: Devialet Operating System 2 (DOS 2)
• Microphones: array of 4 microphones
• Protection 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 controls: yes
• Application: Devialet app

Box contents

• Devialet Mania White Mist
• USB-C power cable and power adapter
• User guide
• Carry case