Monday, November 7, the French sound specialist, Devialet releases its first mobile speaker, a small ball of just over 2 kilos with a neat design, marketed at a price of 790 euros. For many, the announcement is anecdotal. Not for the company’s CEO, Franck Lebouchard: “It’s the only one in the world to offer hi-fi sound quality”he says.
Beyond the technical aspects, this launch constitutes for the company “an important step that completes a five-year cycle”the date on which Mr. Lebouchard took control. “At the time, we only offered two ranges: our amps and our Phantom loudspeakers. From now on, we are positioned on all the major sound markets. » In the meantime, Devialet unveiled its first wireless headphones and its first soundbars.
By extending its range of products, the start-up has also widened the spectrum of its prices. If it continues to offer its amplifiers, the most expensive of which reach 28,000 euros, it has also ventured into more affordable price ranges with its headsets sold at 179 euros. “It is by far the device that we sell the most in volume”recognizes Mr. Lebouchard.
Relative discretion
However, most of the revenue comes from the Phantom speakers, which have made it a success since their launch in 2015. Despite the high cost, 6,000 euros per pair, enthusiasts are there, since sales continue to progress. The professional public is also interested, particularly in the luxury hotel and restaurant industry: it constitutes between 5% and 10% of sales and gives visibility to the brand with wealthy customers.
A time erected as a champion of the “start-up nation”, Devialet is today less prominent on the tricolor scene. Perhaps because Mr. Lebouchard is less present in the media than was his predecessor, Quentin Sannié, the co-founder of the company he left in the summer of 2018, to hand over control to a leader deemed more operational. . Also because, since its fundraising of 100 million euros carried out in November 2016 – impressive for the time -, it has not completed any major funding rounds, contenting itself with more discreet fundraising, including a 50 million euros in September intended to finance new products and the opening of shops. The company does not communicate more on its valuation.
This relative discretion is due to the fact that the company’s growth takes place internationally, which represents three-quarters of its revenues. Asia concentrates 40% of its sales, even if its activity has slowed down in China due to the succession of local confinements. This strong presence owes a lot to partnerships with major players in the region: Tencent to develop karaoke, but above all Huawei, which has integrated its technologies into many of its products (telephone, PC, television).
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