In the experiment, we used the Devialet Phantom Reactor 900 speaker – a small miracle

For more than a decade, the French company Devialet has succeeded in bringing a truly unique kind of exoticism into the world of sound. And the same goes for the even more compact newcomer in the Phantom speaker family.

Text & images: Heikki Kivelä

We may not be the only ones in the AVPlus magazine who have been amazed by Devialet’s expertise in the field of modern audio. When we wrote about the Devialet Gold Phantom speakers in issue 9–10/17 a year ago, it was unanimously declared possibly the most interesting speaker out there at the time. And not without reason.

The unique design of the Gold Phantom, the breathtaking 4,500-watt amplification power, the 108-decibel sound pressure level, and the bass output extending to 14 Hertz below the headphone jack are still something truly unique in their class. However, the relatively high price of 22-karat gold plating and a truly powerful sound remain the prerequisite, with the price tag of almost 2,700 euros undoubtedly limiting the Gold Phantom to a few luxury products – after all, it is a high-quality device.

Phantom Reactor, which was released in late 2018, on the other hand, comes with two versions that are significantly closer to the price range of more serious hobbyists. The smaller 600 model costs 1,099 euros, while the 900 model we tested costs 1,399 euros.

There is still no talk of a particularly cheap solution, but when it comes to price, there are compelling reasons for it.

The image has not been shaky. The bass-sounding cups on the Phantom Reactor 900 move amazingly much when listening to music.

Technological innovations ahead
Devialet is, in a sense, a type of example of how the ideas behind more expensive systems and the knowledge behind them can be applied to more affordable solutions. Let’s start with the amplifier section of a speaker, for example.

Inside the Reactor 900 is a 900-watt amplifier, implemented using the manufacturer’s proprietary ADH (Analog Digital Hybrid) technology. This implementation combines sophisticated analog-class performance with digital-class power and compact size – all the virtues of both, delivering a whopping 98 decibels of sound pressure, according to the manufacturer.

In addition, Reactor utilizes Devialet’s SAM technology, or Speaker Active Matching, which allows for a more precise match of the speaker’s reproduction to the signal being played using a mathematical model. There is also its own technology behind the massive bass output of up to 18 Hertz, HBI, or Heart Bass Implosion. With this technology, Reactor’s two hermetically sealed subwoofers enable unprecedented performance in their class.

The digital-to-analog conversion of the signal is handled by the manufacturer’s own 24-bit and 96/192 kHz sample rate dac, and the processor for the device has been selected from the already somewhat aged but well-regarded 1.25 gigahertz ARM Cortex-A9, which is relied on by many other manufacturers as well.

And these mentioned aspects are just the tip of the iceberg, as the manufacturer claims that Reactor 900 contains 981 carefully selected technical components, protected by over 160 patents. With these, Devialet aims for an ambitious goal: no distortion, no saturation, no background noise.

Devialet's sophisticated style is also evident in the control app. Basic functions are easily handled through it.

The goal is simplicity
Despite the aforementioned technology jargon, the Reactor 900 is a fairly simple device for the user. It is basically a traditional wireless active speaker with two bass drivers and one full-range element.

The speaker feels convincing in every way, and given its dimensions and the volume of 3 liters, the mass is quite hefty at 4.3 kilograms. The combination of the white RAL 9016 finish and stainless steel in the chassis is appropriately subdued, and the ornament on the front of the speaker pleases the eyes of the car enthusiast.

The Reactor 900’s connectors are located at the rear. There you’ll find an Ethernet RJ45 connection, a combined analog and digital 3.5 mm input, and a connector for the power cord. The control buttons, on the other hand, are implemented using a touch-and-swipe method and are located on the top of the device. There’s nothing else you need – except for a control app that can be charged via a smart device, which also emulates Devialet’s sophisticated interface.

With the controller app, using the Reactor 900 is clearly the most convenient, as it is the easiest way to access the network’s music libraries – whether it’s Spotify, music files stored on a separate online server, or traditional Bluetooth. For Apple users, AirPlay is also included. The controller app doesn’t really offer anything extra, which can, however, be considered a very good feature. The simple control functions and media management are more than adequate for basic use. Later this year, the app will also offer the ability to connect two Phantom Reactor 900s to form a true stereo speaker pair.

The Phantom Reactor 900’s connectors are located on the rear. In fact, only the power cable is necessary, as the speaker operates naturally in a wireless network environment. However, if desired, it can be connected to an external audio source using either the analog or optical digital 3.5 mm aux connection.

Voices worth listening to
Once the Phantom Reactor 900 was connected to power and the connection to the smart device’s control app and wireless network were both working properly, it was time to get a closer look at its actual performance.

The first reaction was, to be honest, a degree of bewilderment. Given the size of the speaker, it seemed to me at first listening that a truly awful amount of deep, thick, and soft bass was being emitted – although in the music, in Angelo Badalamenti’s Twin Peaks tune, it wasn’t at all emphasized as being so.

In principle, the feel was similar to listening to a two-channel setup equipped with a subwoofer, but the consistency, fluidity, and overall sound design were a degree more impressive. Subjectively, as the listening progressed, the ±1-dB deviation from the 25 hertz to 20 kilohertz band reported by the manufacturer may well hold true. Regardless of whether it was placed on a table, corner, or open shelf, the Phantom Reactor 900’s playback kept its character relatively unchanged. However, the best speaker sounded best on its own three-legged stand, when it was given space around it.

More specifically, as the Phantom Reactor 900 focused on repetition and the initial noise subsided, the speaker began to reveal more of its repetition characteristics. For example, the volume of the sound image became more consistent with the music samples examined, eventually reaching its own, quite reasonable level. Instead of being amorphous and too wide, the sound field began to take on a more focused and easily observable form – which, by the way, is not an easy feat from a single speaker. In fact, Devialet’s DSP prowess – and its sensible use – played a big role in this. Instead of trying to take its brilliance to the point of being intrusive and overly aggressive, it simply becomes a good source of sound once the ears get used to it.

Undeniably, the final result after several listening sessions included the same findings as with the Phantom Reactor 900. The Phantom Reactor 900 is an incredibly expansive and powerful speaker, but it tends to favor certain musical styles and production methods over others. Its best qualities seem to come in reproducing rhythm music and relatively modern soundscapes, but a certain finesse, the airiness of the music, and the presentation of smaller details still want a little bit of finesse to be brought to the extreme. In practice, the upper midrange and treble of the speaker don’t live up to expectations in the same way as on the bass side – although this cannot be counted as a real shortcoming. The same phenomenon occurs with other, very good-quality speakers: some are better suited to certain genres, while others are not. And these differences are only noticed subjectively at the level of the smallest details.

An eye-catching detail is the front grille ornament, behind which is the broadband element of the Phantom Reactor 900. The bass frequencies are, in turn, hermetically sealed into the sides of the speaker.

Still perhaps the most interesting

The Phantom Reactor 900 has a lot in common with the larger models in the range, although it costs almost half as much. And the lower price doesn’t mean that the speaker’s performance has been squeezed into anything less – quite the opposite. The Phantom Reactor 900 sounds so immersive, big and consistent that there’s hardly been a comparable product in the wireless active speaker category. Still, the Phantom Reactor 900 has its own character, which it honestly gives voice. This can be described as a rather interesting surprise, rather than a boring and generic speaker.

However, the enormous sound pressure capabilities, truly rich bass reproduction in the market and eye-catching design are exactly at the level that you would expect from a speaker costing around 1,400 euros. Based on these factors, Devialet has succeeded in making possibly the most interesting speaker on the market – for the second time!

+ Huge sound for its size
+ Well-utilized amplification power
+ Finishing and design
– The emphasis on repetitive patterns favors certain musical styles