After the incredible success of phantom
and their variations, the good recipe (with a few hiccups at the launch) of Gemini headphones, or even various partnerships, the French manufacturer Devialet has just announced its first sound bar
the Dione.
Unsurprisingly, it is the top of the range that is targeted here.
A wise shape, except for a sphere
Almost classic, the Devialet Dione wants to reconcile discretion and sound quality. On the first point, the brand has clearly succeeded in its bet, since it is developing a model that is only 77 mm thick (120 cm wide and 16.5 deep), which is also of a fairly sober angular design. Above all, unlike its connected speakers, which are immaculately white, the Dione eliminates any type of light reflection so as not to distract the user. Devialet therefore opts for a dark color, with the use of fabric and a solid aluminum cover, anodized in matt black.
As you will have noticed, a “detail” disturbs this sobriety: an openwork metal sphere, wedged in a small dedicated crater. This element, called “ORB”, is a central point of the sound part.
The connection is particularly bare, since we only find a single HDMI 2.1 eARC port (CEC compatible), and a single optical port, as well as an Ethernet socket. No output for subwoofer, or other advanced jack. The soundbar is all-in-one, without a surround module or subwoofer.
Fortunately, the Dione is part of the Devialet connected ecosystem. Not yet Multiroom (this is planned via a future update), it works with the brand’s smartphone application, which allows advanced control. The device can also be controlled with the Devialet Remote control.
But above all, the model is compatible with the network protocols Airplay 2, Spotify Connect, as well as UPnP. To troubleshoot, a Bluetooth 5.0 module is present.
Great bass, mini format?
We are inevitably waiting for Devialet on the bass field. The task is difficult here, since the fineness of the product requires optimizing the structure as much as possible. Very ambitious, the sound architecture is based on a set of 17 loudspeakers, distributed as follows:
- 8 elliptical (bass) woofers divided into 4 pairs, each mounted in push-push (each speaker back to back with its twin model) to improve extension.
- 8 41 mm side full-range loudspeakers with aluminum cone: 2 at the front, 2 on the outer edge, 4 on the upper side.
- 1 wideband loudspeaker in the sphere, supported by two passive radiators. This loudspeaker is totally dedicated to the central channel (dialogue).
The set is powered by an ADH amplification (sort of hybridization between class A and class D) of 950 W RMS, for a frequency response (probably a little optimistic) of 24 Hz to 21 kHz.
Modernity requires, the soundbar is compatible with Atmos content (equivalent 5.1.2), which it reproduces thanks to the arrangement of broadband speakers on all sides, and the use of a technology of formation of sound beams (beamforming), ADE (Advanced Dimensional Experience). Another proprietary algorithm, SPACE, even allows stereo sources to be upmixed to 5.1.2 content.
In order to adapt to the type of content, several SPACE sound modes are available: Cinema, Music, Spatial, and Voice, each presenting the soundstage differently. Finally, AVL (Advanced Dimensional Experience) equalization makes it possible to adapt the sound level according to the situation. This allows, for example, not to constantly play on the volume, in order to bring out the voices (often at far too low a volume compared to typical explosion sounds).
In addition, the Dione can be placed horizontally, but also vertically (hung on the wall). The sound processing thus adapts to this orientation, which makes it possible to keep the same sound.
Intriguing? Yes, especially since the short presentation of the product showed us that the bass level was indeed there. Launched at 2,190 euros all the same, the Devialet Dione is attacking very serious opponents, and will have no room for error.
Source: Devialet press release
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