Two Phantoms, One Design Philosophy
Devialet built the Phantom to be a complete music system in a single sculpted enclosure. Both the Devialet Phantom Ultimate 98dB and the higher-output Devialet Phantom Ultimate 108dB are fully active wireless speakers. That means amplification, digital to analog conversion, signal processing and streaming all live inside the speaker itself. There is no separate amplifier to buy, no receiver to wire in and no rack to plan around. You place the Phantom, connect it to your network and play.
At the heart of both is Devialet's ADH, or Analog Digital Hybrid, amplification. This approach marries the finesse of analog with the control and efficiency of digital, and it is a large part of why a compact Phantom can move so much air with so little apparent effort. Both models also use Speaker Active Matching, or SAM, which tailors the signal to the physical behavior of the drivers so the speaker reproduces the recording faithfully.
Heart Bass Implosion Explained
The most distinctive Phantom trait is Heart Bass Implosion, or HBI. Twin lateral aluminum bass drivers work in opposition inside a sealed, pressurized enclosure. Because they fire outward from each side and are perfectly matched, the cabinet stays remarkably still while the drivers produce deep, physical low frequencies. The result is bass you can feel from a speaker far smaller than the sound suggests. Both the 98dB and the 108dB share this HBI design, so the family character of tight, textured, room filling bass is present in each.
Comparing Output and Reach
Phantom Ultimate 98dB
The Phantom Ultimate 98dB reaches up to 98dB at one meter, with a front aluminum dome driver and the twin lateral HBI bass drivers. Its frequency response runs from about 18Hz to 25kHz. This is a superb choice for the majority of real world rooms: a bedroom, a home office, a den, a kitchen or a medium sized living space. It delivers effortless, engaging sound at generous volumes while remaining beautifully proportioned in the room.
Phantom Ultimate 108dB
The Phantom Ultimate 108dB is the higher-output model in the Ultimate range. It pairs 1100W RMS of ADH amplification with a Grade 1 titanium tweeter, an aluminum midrange driver and the lateral HBI bass drivers, reaching up to 108dB at one meter with a frequency response of 14Hz to 27kHz. That extra headroom, the wider frequency extremes and the titanium tweeter make it the pick for larger, more open spaces, for listeners who want maximum dynamic scale, and for anyone who simply wants the most capable Phantom in the lineup.
Both share the same streaming platform, so the difference is not about features but about design goal and use case. Choose the 98dB when you want a wonderfully complete music speaker that suits typical rooms with ease, and choose the 108dB when you have the space and the appetite for its greater output and extended reach.
Streaming and Connectivity
Both Phantoms are built for modern listening. Each offers AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Roon Ready and UPnP over Wi-Fi, plus Bluetooth and an optical input for wired sources. You manage everything, including solo, stereo and multiroom setups, from the Devialet app. Whatever service you favor, the Phantom simply becomes part of your network and plays.
One Phantom or a Stereo Pair?
A single Phantom runs happily in mono and fills a room with sound that belies its size. It is the ideal starting point and a natural fit for a bedroom, office or a room where a single beautiful object is the goal.
Add a second matching Phantom and the Devialet app configures them as a true stereo pair, with dedicated left and right channels. This opens up a wide, precisely placed soundstage and adds even more effortless output. For a dedicated listening space or a large living room, a stereo pair of the 108dB is a genuinely thrilling experience, while a pair of the 98dB brings spacious stereo imaging to medium rooms. You can also spread individual Phantoms through the home for synchronized multiroom playback. A tidy approach is to start with one and add the matching model later.
Completing the Setup with Stands and the Remote
Devialet offers a family of accessories sized to a specific Phantom. These make no sound of their own but they finish the installation properly and let the speaker perform at its best.
- Gecko is the wall mount, ideal when floor space is at a premium or when you want the Phantom raised and out of the way.
- Tree is the floor stand that elevates a Phantom to an ideal listening height with an elegant, sculptural presence.
- Treepod is the tripod stand, a flexible floor standing option that suits many room layouts.
- Phantom Remote gives you tactile control over volume and playback to complement the app.
When selecting a stand or mount, match it to your specific Phantom model so the fit and proportions are correct. Our team can confirm the right accessory for the 98dB or the 108dB.
Which Phantom Should You Choose?
If you want a complete, self contained wireless speaker that sounds far bigger than it looks and suits the rooms most of us actually live in, the Phantom Ultimate 98dB is a wonderful choice. If you have a larger or more open space, crave maximum output and extended frequency reach, and want the most capable model in the Ultimate range, the Phantom Ultimate 108dB is the one to reach for. Either can begin as a single speaker and grow into a stereo pair or a whole home system.
Frequently Asked Questions
One Phantom or a Stereo Pair?
A single Phantom runs happily in mono and fills a room with sound that belies its size. It is the ideal starting point and a natural fit for a bedroom, office or a room where a single beautiful object is the goal.
Which Phantom Should You Choose?
If you want a complete, self contained wireless speaker that sounds far bigger than it looks and suits the rooms most of us actually live in, the Phantom Ultimate 98dB is a wonderful choice. If you have a larger or more open space, crave maximum output and extended frequency reach, and want the most capable model in the Ultimate range, the Phantom Ultimate 108dB is the one to reach for.
Come Listen at AEA
All Elite Audio is an authorized Devialet dealer with a showroom in Timonium, Maryland. Demo units rotate, so we encourage you to contact us to arrange a listen or for help choosing the Phantom, configuration and accessories that best fit your room and how you love to listen.