Devialet announces Phantom Reactor speaker

Devialet

• Devialet, the French audio company behind the expensive and high-end Phantom speaker series, just introduced a cheaper speaker to its lineup.
• The Phantom Reactor, available late October, starts at $1,000 — and despite its smaller size, it still packs a punch. 
• The speaker is aimed at music enthusiasts who can’t quite afford or justify spending almost $3,000 for Devialet’s high-end Phantom models. 

If you’re interested in getting into luxury audio, but put off by the high price point, Devialet might have a solution.

Devialet, a French luxury audio company with financial backing from the likes of rapper Jay-Z, just announced the latest addition to its Phantom lineup of speakers: the Phantom Reactor, starting at $999. 

While $1,000 is hardly cheap for a speaker, it’s certainly less expensive than other options in Devialet’s lineup, like the $3,000 Phantom Gold. Thus, the Phantom Reactor is aimed at audio enthusiasts who still have some cash to throw toward their audio setup, but don’t want to pay for the most expensive options. 

However, Devialet is known as much for its luxurious and futuristic-looking speakers as it is for its high prices. Devialet’s Phantom speakers come carry an all-in-one approach and unusual design are part of their charm. The new Reactor model is reflective of the company’s desire to be at least a little more accessible. 

The Phantom Reactor is four times smaller than its Phantom predecessors, making it more portable and discreet. Although this does result in less amplification power, the Reactor’s sound is still nothing to balk at — during a demo of the Reactor I attended, the smaller device easily filled the enclosed room at well below its maximum output. Devialet boasts that the Phantom Reactor delivers “zero distortion, zero saturation or background noise.” 

When it comes to playing audio through the Phantom Reactor, you’ll have plenty of options. The device supports Bluetooth, 3.5mm audio jacks, AirPlay, Spotify, ethernet and WiFi connections, and connections to TVs, game consoles and media players. You can also download Devialet’s iPhone or Android app to control the speaker through your phone. 

Devialet’s Phantom lineup also has built-in amplifiers and digital-to-analog converters, which means you won’t have to buy any separate audio equipment — it will work right out of the box. The Reactor will come in two models, the 600 and 900, which refers to the maximum wattage each device is capable of outputting (600 W and 900 W, respectively, as you might guess from the names). Both versions are capable of producing 95 dB. 

Those interested can register up for pre-orders here — pre-orders on Devialet’s webpage and Amazon will go live October 24, and alternate store availability should be announced shortly after. 

Take a look at some photos of the new device compared to Devialet’s larger and more expensive Phantom lineup.