02-Dec-2015, 16:25
ZoMan,
I've heard the ensemble for a bit (when I was considering the Athom speakers) and the phantom only briefly, so I can't offer much by way of comparison. I liked the Athoms very much, but they were in a big room and playing at a medium volume.
However, your musical preferences, the need for low volume listening and a small room are important factors. Typically, I find that small speakers are more satisfying when playing at medium volume (and i'm sure what that is, really). But the Athoms have a SAM profile and that does make a big difference, and perhaps negates the low volume consideration. The Phantoms by all accounts have bass capability that is remarkable, and many feel it is very good at low volume; that it is a particular strength of the Phantom system. I think that excellent detail retrieval is a hallmark of any Devialet system, so that item is taken care of.
The expert/ ensemble approach may (or may not) give you a more proven approach to actually getting music to the system. I'm thinking of the stumbles some have had with the dialog and getting that connection setup worked out.
How will you get music to your system? Is internet radio or a streaming service important? I'm just thinking that the upstream system may also be a factor in your choice.
I've heard the ensemble for a bit (when I was considering the Athom speakers) and the phantom only briefly, so I can't offer much by way of comparison. I liked the Athoms very much, but they were in a big room and playing at a medium volume.
However, your musical preferences, the need for low volume listening and a small room are important factors. Typically, I find that small speakers are more satisfying when playing at medium volume (and i'm sure what that is, really). But the Athoms have a SAM profile and that does make a big difference, and perhaps negates the low volume consideration. The Phantoms by all accounts have bass capability that is remarkable, and many feel it is very good at low volume; that it is a particular strength of the Phantom system. I think that excellent detail retrieval is a hallmark of any Devialet system, so that item is taken care of.
The expert/ ensemble approach may (or may not) give you a more proven approach to actually getting music to the system. I'm thinking of the stumbles some have had with the dialog and getting that connection setup worked out.
How will you get music to your system? Is internet radio or a streaming service important? I'm just thinking that the upstream system may also be a factor in your choice.
Damon
Powernode, NAD M32, Cambridge CD transport, Analysis Plus, Nordost, iFi Nova, CSS Criton 1TDX, KEF C62
Vancouver, Canada
