Devialet speakers

[James_B]

I had a listen to a set in Canary Wharf today, and in their carefully set up listening room the “Silver” version sounded very good.

They aren’t cheap, but also aren’t crazy, and they do also look nice; has anyone else any opinion about how much quality there is behind the hype?

[James_B]

The lady in the shop wasn’t clear about how that worked. The sound was quite a lot better than my B&W set up, but then it was in a room with hard walls, with me sitting in the exact spot that someone had determined gave the best sound, so it’s hard to know how they’ll be at home.

[philv]

James_B said:

The lady in the shop wasn’t clear about how that worked. The sound was quite a lot better than my B&W set up, but then it was in a room with hard walls, with me sitting in the exact spot that someone had determined gave the best sound, so it’s hard to know how they’ll be at home.

Surely they will do a home demo?

[James_B]

philv said:

Surely they will do a home demo?

I assume so, but would welcome comments from people who may have given them a try and compared them to other systems.

Are they actually comparable to other similarly expensive systems, or is it form over substance?

[Tony1963]

I've never heard them, but over on Pinkfishmedia there are a few dedicated fans. So I'd say they are worth a shot.

Before that, though, have you considered room treatment/setting up of your own system? Apologies if you've already done this

Speaker to room is THE most important part of a hifi.....

[James_B]

Tony1963 said:

I've never heard them, but over on Pinkfishmedia there are a few dedicated fans. So I'd say they are worth a shot.

Before that, though, have you considered room treatment/setting up of your own system? Apologies if you've already done this

Speaker to room is THE most important part of a hifi.....

Considered it? Afraid I don’t even know what it is.

[B17NNS]

KEF Wireless LS50's might be worth a listen too.

http://uk.kef.com/ls50-wireless

[sawman]

I spent a couple of hours listening to wifi speakers a couple of months ago, started at bose, went up through sonos and B&O, Naim, ended up listening to the devialet phantom (in gold). They did by some margin blow everything else into the long grass.

There was no way I was going to be buying them (I had already discussed budget with the sales chap) but he seemed really keen to fire them up, and I wasn't in a hurry. They are interesting looking beasts, but I wanted something a bit more subtle.

I ended up with a Teenage engineering OD11 - which is lovely, and perfect for my use

[VEX]

They are stunning in performance but they are something you have to have on display and are very marmite in looks (I love them)

Depending on what / how you are planing to use / listen to them. There are other options. Sonos with an external DAC and floorstanders sound amazing when I did it for a client. Sonos, Chord DAC, Naim Amp, GoldenEar Active Speakers.

So very much depends on what you want do and look at.

V.

[Tony1963]

sawman said:

I spent a couple of hours listening to wifi speakers a couple of months ago, started at bose, went up through sonos and B&O, Naim, ended up listening to the devialet phantom (in gold).

Do Naim make any speakers, let alone wifi?

[VEX]

Yes, they make the Mu-So and Mu-So QB music streamers/speaker boxes.

Quite good as well.

[Tony1963]

VEX said:

Yes, they make the Mu-So and Mu-So QB music streamers/speaker boxes.

Quite good as well.

I thought we were on about proper, traditional speakers here. My mistake!

[dvshannow]

Yes i think the Naim products to be comparing to would be either the new all in one streamers or the seperates

I have a NAP 300 with a dac v1 and BW diamondspeakers and a db1 sub

I bought the NAP 300 after listening to the devialet system and it sounded a bit lifeless to me

The muso is fine as are thenphantom but the jump to proper hifi whether it be morr traditional makes or devialet is significant still

[Tony1963]

The Muso is ok as long as you don't want stereo (those speakers are too close to each other) and don't play, for example, loud prog rock. It just can't cope. However, for the price, and considering its connectivity, I think it's a bargain.

[Anthony Micallef]

I listened to a pair of Gold speakers a few weeks ago. They do sound amazing but at £2k each are too expensive for me. I like my speakers to be more conventional that's why I bought a pair of Tannoy Revolutions XT6F.

[IceBoy]

I've been sucked in twice by these, once in Canary Wharf last week and a couple of months ago at Westfields.

I think the poster above hit the nail on the head... they were lifeless imo.

Also the single speaker giving you stereo, would mean a perfect room and layout. The look is an acquired taste and before I forget at low volume just bland. You also can't make any adjustment to the sound/eq as the amplifier is built in to them.

I shall pass....nee fangled and over priced. For the £2-4k investment in one speaker.....i could get a nice pair of floor stands with a very nice sub.

All imo of obviously.
Iceboy

[James_B]

VEX said:

They are stunning in performance but they are something you have to have on display and are very marmite in looks (I love them)

Depending on what / how you are planing to use / listen to them. There are other options. Sonos with an external DAC and floorstanders sound amazing when I did it for a client. Sonos, Chord DAC, Naim Amp, GoldenEar Active Speakers.

So very much depends on what you want do and look at.

V.

I have Bowers and Wilkins throughout the house at the moment, which are great for background listening, but I’m not keen on them for “active” listening.

The Devialet would probably look very good in my lounge, and the wife likes them too.

It’s not one for a rash purchase, though, so I’ll mull it over for a while.

[James_B]

Anthony Micallef said:

I listened to a pair of Gold speakers a few weeks ago. They do sound amazing but at £2k each are too expensive for me. I like my speakers to be more conventional that's why I bought a pair of Tannoy Revolutions XT6F.

I don’t like the look of the gold ones. Too 70s or Alderley Edge for me. The Silver ones look nice.

[hyphen]

James_B said:

It’s not one for a rash purchase, though, so I’ll mull it over for a while.

Often with less known brands, it can be a pain to shift them at a good price if you decide to sell later.

So I would look at previous used sales and check that they are selling at decent prices and there is enough demand.

[14-7]

They had a 100 day trial offer on the other day. May be worth looking if they still do.

Try two out and if you aren't happy send them back at the end of the trial.