Devialet is definitely no longer fixed in the world of connected living room speakers. After his amazing Dione sound barthe French manufacturer has just unveiled the Mania, connected speaker in a rather atypical format, because it is both portable and premium.
Armed with most of the technologies used on the Phantom I and Phantom II, the Mania is quite similar to the latter, although its orientation is different.
Same connectivity, more premium
A portable, battery-powered model, the Mania is quite close to the Phantom II in size. However, it offers a significantly different design. This sphere of approximately 17 cm in width and height and weighing 2.3 kg is in fact based on a polymer structure covered mainly in water-repellent fabric. The whole is surrounded by a silicone band, welcoming controls at the flanks.
At the top, the band deviates from the enclosure to serve as a carrying handle. We can also raise the chrome strapping around the two speaker membranes. For resistance to the elements, the Mania announces an IPX4 certification, which protects it from most splashes of water.
Two versions of the product coexist, a classic and an Opéra de Paris edition. The second, identical from a technical point of view, includes a strapping plated with 24 carats gold and comes with a charging base. The classic edition, available in black and gray, offers the charging base as an option. For the battery, it takes about 10 hours of autonomy.
Connected sound anywhere in the room
Unlike the vast majority of portable speakers, the Mania is connected, since it integrates the manufacturer’s DOS 2 multiroom ecosystem. It thus has a Wi-Fi chip (no RJ45), as well as a Bluetooth chip, and is Spotify Connect and Airplay 2 compatible. For the little extras, the speaker supports the Alexa assistant natively ( its microphones can be deactivated), but does not provide the hands-free kit function.
Too bad for lovers of wired connectivity, it is reduced to nothing. Only a USB-C input exists, only for charging.
But the great advantage of the Devialet Mania is likely to come from its sound part. Here, we are really entitled to a mini Phantom in the spirit, certainly much less powerful, but more flexible. As such, the sound architecture is based respectively on two 10 cm woofers with reinforced polymer membrane and neodymium magnets, mounted in push pull (back to back) to improve the bass level. Add to that four wideband loudspeakers with aluminum membrane and neodymium magnet, placed strategically at the four corners of the device.
This so-called “cross-stereo” topology, combined with Active Stereo Calibration (ASC) acoustic processing using four microphones, aims to ensure stereo reproduction, regardless of the position of the listener in relation to the loudspeaker. Two modes then coexist, Oriented Stereo and 360° Stereo, the second being more enveloping. Everything is powered by six dedicated amplifiers (one per speaker). For lack of power, it is not the famous ADH amplification of the Phantoms and amplifiers of the brand that is used. On the other hand, we can note that the Mania emancipates itself from the mono reproduction of its big sisters.
The Devialet Mania is available today. The classic version is sold at 790 euros and the Paris Opera version at 990 euros. The optional charging dock is displayed at 79 euros. The prices are therefore very high for a speaker in portable format, but there is not really a connected equivalent.
What is the best multiroom speaker? With the explosion of wireless connections, multiroom speakers are spreading on the market at increasing speed. It is now child’s play to add sound to every room in the house or to create a stereo set. Manufacturers have understood this, constantly extending their ranges dedicated to multirooms. From the model at less than 200€ to the luxury bluetooth speaker at more than 1500€, there is something for all budgets.
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Source: Devialet press release
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