I tried Devialet’s spherical new speaker and it makes Amazon Echo feel like a toy
>
How often does a world-renowned audio team barge in from Paris for 24 hours and invite you to a sane London hotel to hear what they’ll only call “Mania”? Not often. And when such invitations come in, you leave what you are doing and go.
As anyone who knows Devialet knows, Mania is built from strong stock. The French audio specialist’s hits include the high-end Dione soundbar, the Phantom I wireless speaker and most recently a pioneering quest for luxury onboard sound systems to name a few. But Mania is different again.
What you have is a futuristic wireless speaker in the shape of an eyeball with a delightful handle on the top and push-push bass radiators like irises on either side. And at 2.3kg, it’s reassuringly heavy, almost like a kettlebell, but much nicer.
There are two major proprietary technologies to tell you about: ASC (Active Stereo Calibration) and SAM (Speaker Active Matching).
The first uses four microphones and built-in intelligence so that the speaker can automatically adjust the audio output according to the environment. No lugging your phone around the room, no space age noises for a few minutes, it just does its thing in a matter of seconds. I placed it on various surfaces in the aforementioned hotel suite and never noticed the calibration taking place. But from the audio performance that followed, I know in my heart (and ears) that it happened.
The latter acronym includes four full-range drivers in the top section of the speaker and those two SAM-powered subwoofers in a push-push configuration, to promise true omnidirectional stereo sound from 30 Hz to 20 kHz.
The speaker is only 17 cm high, but close your eyes and you will think it is much bigger.
Opinion: Several smart speakers should be concerned about Devialet’s Mania – especially the Amazon Echo
Other specifications? Why not: In addition to capacitive buttons on the device and a microphone mute slider, Amazon Alexa is built-in (a first for Devialet) and set via the Devialet app. You also get support for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, AirPlay 2 and Spotify Connect, 10 hours of wireless playback time and an IPX4 splash-proof rating.
I took it out to the balcony and as I gazed at the roof terraces of central London and listened to The Streets (then Prince) I must tell you this thing makes even the best smart speakers and in particular the best Alexa smart. speakers sound woefully like (sorry, Amazon Echo, but I’m looking at you).
This is not a full-fledged review, but in my short time with it, Purple Rain was supported by a sturdy yet agile bass weight, while Blinded by the light revealed the considerable rhythmic and layered talents of the Mania.
If you like, Devialet sells a docking station for easy charging with the regular Mania (a special Paris Opéra edition is also available, which is embellished with a 24K moon gold baffler and comes standard with the docking station) for $80/£ 69 / AU$100, but otherwise it charges via USB-C.
Prices? Naturally. The Mania is now available in jet black or light gray for your choice $790 / £690 / AU$1400 (opens in new tab).
The Devialet Mania Opéra de Paris edition is $990 / £890 / AU$1,700 (opens in new tab).
So the Devialet Mania isn’t cheap and I’m guessing barely ripe for a best cheap Bluetooth speaker deal ahead of Black Friday. But that’s not the point. It’s pretty beautiful. It’s the ideal no-frills product for the ambitious space I’m in – and in case I forgot to mention, you can also wirelessly pair two stereo for some serious technical stereo capability.
