Any thoughts on Devialet?

[Raino144]

Have heard a lot of good things about the Phantoms. Now with the Reactors being just under £1k each I could be tempted. Is it a decent idea or is there a fatal flaw I have missed?

[devnull]

I auditioned a pair of Phantoms in an AV shop in Bergen of all places.

I have never heard bass so powerful and tight on anything for a longtime (listened to 'Hey Now' by London Grammar).

On that audition alone I am seriously considering a pair, but I am put off by the potential obsolescence of them.

[troika]

Do your research. I understand that if they go wrong, they are basically a doorstop.

[matjk]

I was really disappointed with my “demo” in Harrods , “sorry it’s as loud as we are aloud to take them as they will disturb people on the shop floor” , i made a special trip too ! I still want to hear a set really sing ,
the reactor seems to be quite cut down in size and features over its bigger (and not that much more expensive) brothers with no multi room or stereo (yet)
I wonder how they compare to a Kef LS50W setup and the same price

[Tony1963]

I like to keep my gear for a long time, and the difficulty/impossibility of servicing and repairing Devialet seems to be enough of a concern among forums to put me off completely. Not a problem if you buy new and replace every two or three years, not great if you're like me.

[VEX]

A PH’er owns HiFi Lounge and will happily do a demo and full volume for you.

[Anthony Micallef]

matjk said:

I was really disappointed with my “demo” in Harrods , “sorry it’s as loud as we are aloud to take them as they will disturb people on the shop floor” , i made a special trip too ! I still want to hear a set really sing ,
the reactor seems to be quite cut down in size and features over its bigger (and not that much more expensive) brothers with no multi room or stereo (yet)
I wonder how they compare to a Kef LS50W setup and the same price

That’s surprising as I had a demo in Harrods of 2 x Phantom Golds and the saleswoman had them cranked up very loud. Amazing bit of kit but can’t justify the price.

[matjk]

I think they may have a separate demo room now, when I looked they where just on the main floor with all the TV and audio stuff ,
Bit of a concern these things can’t be fixed at all , you would think eventually someone will fill the gap in the market ,
I don’t even like the look of them that much (they need to do a black or dark grey) so it’s an expensive ornament if it breaks .
I ended spending the money on a load of sonos stuff , which I’m sure isn’t in the same league but sounds decent to my untrained ear and I cover every room in the house plus a decent set up in the lounge

[gizlaroc]

matjk said:

I don’t even like the look of them that much (they need to do a black or dark grey) so it’s an expensive ornament if it breaks .

Agreed, the white really doesn't suit most rooms.