First impressions

[Mr_Bill]

Just heard a phantom today (single silver unit). You can see by my signature what I'm using: the stradas are quite small and are located on the floor, in the near field, used with a subwoofer. The stradas have not been SAM'ed yet.

IMHO there is no possible comparison - Devialet + proper speakers is so much better! The 3D image from a properly set pair of loudspeakers with Devialet electronics cannot be matched (hearing things on top of you and in some cases, behind you) according to the shop owner. That I wasn't able to compare, since I listened to a single unit; but the shop owner confirmed to me that, while better than a single unit, still cannot compare with the expert + loudspeaker line.

It sounded to me as a machine, not the real thing: mechanical, plasticky.

It may well be the best sound center there is (and I may still buy it - I was really impressed by its lows, convenience and WAF), but it is not a replacement if you're after "the absolute sound". I can't fool myself that there is a piano there, or a real violin.

Now, let's realize how many hours are we able to sit in the sweet spot, and how much more casual listening are we able to get on a normal day off the sweet spot (and even out of the main listening room) - that may also be a decision factor.

Nothing you write here is consistent with the experience of my 4 months ownership of Phantoms.

Certainly they will have a more accurate stereo image than any box speaker since they replicate a point source, but whether an accurate stereo is what a particular individual wants is not always the case.
Panel speakers (I had Apogee Divas for 8 years) and omnidirectionals give a bigger impression of stereo by bouncing sound around the listening room, but it is an impression only and bears scant resemblance to what is on the recording ambience and stereo wise.

I bought the Apogees because of the amazing stereo image, but it was only impressive on recordings I had not made myself, on my own recordings the contrived addition of my room acoustics to the recording was one of the reasons I eventually moved on.

Anyway, if you dislike them that much my advice is to not buy them, or at least not without a home demo.

Interesting differing opinions, but I side with the owners and to those that are making their judgements based on one speaker - unhook one of your speakers at home and see how crappy that sounds.