New Devialet Phantom Ultimate - listening impressions

[booshtukka]

Now that might make me upgrade…

[Dvlt PhD]

Dear Devialet Community,

I am currently running a pair of Sonus Faber Olympica 3 speakers powered by a Devialet Expert 400 (dual 200 configuration). In terms of sound quality, I am very satisfied with this setup. However, I am looking for a simpler and more streamlined solution, one that allows me to easily stream music directly to the system – for example, via Tidal Connect.

My question: could a pair of Devialet Phantom Ultimate 108dB serve as an ideal replacement for my current setup?

In the past, my impression of earlier Phantom models was that they leaned more towards “boom-box” characteristics, which didn’t fully meet audiophile standards. About five years ago, when I last listened to them, I found the treble lacking in nuance, the midrange somewhat recessed, and the bass rather dominant – making them better suited for pop or electronic music.

How do the new Phantom Ultimates compare today, especially against market alternatives such as the KEF LS60?

For context: my listening room (living space) is about 25 m², and my main genres are classical and jazz.

Any insights, experiences, or advice from the community would be highly appreciated.

I get it. I also crave for a second system consisting of a pair of Ultimate 108. But, you probably shouldn’t look at it as a system to replace an audiophile system. I’m sure you would love the 108’s, but I would get them as an additional system.

[Dvlt PhD]

I'm now the proud owner of two phantom Ultimates 108db Deep Forest speakers with the Trees.
Before that, I had the 108db Iconic White.

In 2015, I started with the Silvers, then the Golds, and after that the matte white Iconic 108db and now the ultimates 108db

Here in my house, it never sounded so amazing. It's simply magical.
I can now say: Truly HIGH-END!

Congrats! 

How do you like the green finish?

I have some doubts about it, after I saw some pictures of it, when it first released at stores, or somewhere overseas, in Paris, probably.

[Johnnydev]

I actually really like the color.

At first glance, you'd hardly notice any difference with the black version. But when you see them side by side, you really see the green tint, and it softens the black a bit. Very chic.

In bright light, you can see the green more, but luckily, with my set, it doesn't show up as with some of the online photos; otherwise, I wouldn't have bought them

[ogs]

@njaiswal , @booshtukka I asked Devialet Support about Ultimates. In the answer they said future "custom" versions will be based on the two Ultimate models, maybe during -26 (my speculation). The current Phantom II Custom has native Dante support so if the Ultimate Customs gets the same input module as the current Phantom II Custom, Dante should be supported.

@Johnnydev is there any sign of a "Optical Direct" setting in the Ultimate app?

[booshtukka]

Okay - I guess I’ll wait on custom versions! Would surely be better for Devialet to build this in and make fewer hardware revisions…

[Johnnydev]

The 108db Ultimate sound truly phenomenal.

Compared to the previous series, these are truly high-end.

If you need room correction or to accommodate different tastes, this is fully customizable with the 6-band equalizer and the cinema/music/podcast options.

In one word: they are incredibly amazing!

[njaiswal]

@njaiswal , @booshtukka  I asked Devialet Support about Ultimates. In the answer they said future "custom" versions will be based on the two Ultimate models, maybe during -26 (my speculation). The current Phantom II Custom has native Dante support so if the Ultimate Customs gets the same input module as the current Phantom II Custom, Dante should be supported.

@Johnnydev  is there any sign of a "Optical Direct" setting in the Ultimate app?

Thanks for checking ogs.  I'm not a big fan the customs because thats all they can do... so if my needs change then I can't convert the phantoms back to "normal" use... I guess the problem is integrating the Dante hardware on the speaker... that takes up real estate on the board so it may make sense for them to offer a custom version.  

Hopefully I can hear a pair the next time I'm in NYC...

[njaiswal]

The 108db Ultimate sound truly phenomenal.

Compared to the previous series, these are truly high-end.

If you need room correction or to accommodate different tastes, this is fully customizable with the 6-band equalizer and the cinema/music/podcast options.

In one word: they are incredibly amazing!

Do you know if they support DIRAC room correction natively?  I've found that my phantoms really open up with DIRAC active in my rooms.

[Johnnydev]

The 108db Ultimate sound truly phenomenal.

Compared to the previous series, these are truly high-end.

If you need room correction or to accommodate different tastes, this is fully customizable with the 6-band equalizer and the cinema/music/podcast options.

In one word: they are incredibly amazing!

Do you know if they support DIRAC room correction natively?  I've found that my phantoms really open up with DIRAC active in my rooms.

 No sorry, i’can’t help you