Devialet’s Phantom Reactor promises dynamite audio

They say that dynamite comes in small packages – and that certainly appears to be true of the latest arrival from Devialet. The high-end audio maker’s Phantom portable speakers are already known for their extraordinary sound – but also for their bulk and price.

While calling the original Phantom portable was a bit of a stretch (especially given its 11,4 kg weight), the new Phantom Reactor is lighter, more compact – and costs less. According to Devialet, it’s four times smaller, and tips the scales at just more than 4,3 kg.

The Reactor comes in two versions – the Reactor 600 and the Reactor 900. Externally the two are identical, but the 600 delivers 600 watts of amplification, while the 900 has (yes, you guessed it) 900 watts on tap.

That’s a lot of power to pack into a volume of just 3,0 litres. Like the bigger Phantoms, the Reactors use Devialet’s proprietary ADH hybrid amplification technology to power a trio of aluminium-coned drive units: a single full-range unit, linked to a pair of dedicated woofers.

No wonder the Reactor plays very, very loud. The less powerful model (if you can call 600 watts ‘less powerful’) delivers 95 dB of maximum output, while the 900 is credited with 98 dB. Claimed frequency response is identical, at an astonishing 18 Hz – 21 kHz.

If those stats appear to stretch the boundaries of credibility, our experience of the larger Phantom suggests that these won’t be idle claims. Forget about your average portable speaker – the Reactor is in an altogether different league.

Connectivity is via Wi-Fi or Ethernet, while the Reactor will accept source signals via Bluetooth, AirPlay, and either optical digital or analogue wired connections. It’s UPnP capable, allowing it to navigate and play music files on NAS devices.

Control is via an iOS or Android app, which also allows access to Spotify Connect. There’s no word on support for services such as Tidal, Deezer and Qobuz, though.

Setup and control has apparently been simplified and made more user-friendly, ensuring intuitive use. You’ll even be able to link two Reactors to create a true stereo set via a future firmware update.

Devialet is quoting retail prices of US$999 for the Reactor 600 and US$1299 for the Reactor 900, with sales commencing this week. South African pricing and availability have not been finalised.

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