Short answer: the Devialet Phantom Ultimate 98dB for better sound quality, the Airpulse A100 for the lower price. The Devialet Phantom II 98 dB ranks higher than the Airpulse A100 (#11 vs #35 of 108 powered bookshelf speakers) but is discontinued. Its replacement, the Devialet Phantom Ultimate 98dB, is rated 4.4/5 at $3,998; the Airpulse A100 is rated 4.0/5 at $999.99, $2,998.01 cheaper.
The Devialet Phantom II 98 dB is the more accurate, deeper-bass option. A compact wireless streaming speaker with startlingly deep bass for its size and an even, well balanced sound. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 6.87 against 4.56 for the Airpulse A100. Its bass reaches about 30Hz before falling 3dB, against 63Hz for the Airpulse A100. The catch: Small-enclosure bass extension at the measurement level does not guarantee the same response at high volume.
Why pick the Airpulse A100: A compact powered pair with a ribbon tweeter, Bluetooth, digital inputs, a remote and a subwoofer output. It supports aptX Bluetooth, which the Devialet Phantom II 98 dB lacks. It keeps a wired aux input, which the Devialet Phantom II 98 dB lacks. The tradeoff: Bass reaches -3dB around 63Hz, so lower notes need a subwoofer for full weight.
Buy the Airpulse A100 if price matters most. For better sound quality, the Devialet Phantom Ultimate 98dB, the replacement for the discontinued Devialet Phantom II 98 dB, is rated higher but costs $3,998.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings.
A compact wireless streaming speaker with startlingly deep bass for its size and an even, well balanced sound.
A compact powered pair with a ribbon tweeter, Bluetooth, digital inputs, a remote and a subwoofer output.
Prices on this page were last checked October 31, 2026 at 7:11 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Devialet Phantom II 98 dB | Airpulse A100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,998 per pair Discontinued | $999.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #11 of 108 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #35 of 108 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 30Hz (measured, spinorama.org) | 63.0Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | approximately 22.6Hz (measured, spinorama.org) | 53.2Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Drivers | One aluminum full-range driver; two aluminum bass drivers | Horn-loaded ribbon tweeter, 5” hard-anodized aluminum cone woofer |
| Inputs | Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Bluetooth, AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, UPnP, Roon Ready, analog/optical combo jack | RCA (aux), USB, optical, coaxial, Bluetooth aptX |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, aptX |
| Amplifier Power | 400W RMS each | 100W total (40W+40W woofer, 10W+10W tweeter) |
| Dimensions | 6.6 x 6.2 x 8.6 in each | 6.3” x 11.1” x 10” (160 x 283 x 255 mm) each |
| Weight | 9.5 lbs (4.3 kg) each | 24.3 lbs (11 kg) each |
| Maximum SPL | 98dB at 1m each (manufacturer specified) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.87 | 4.56 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.95 | 7.08 |
| XLR Input | No | No |
| RCA Input | No | Yes |
| TRS Input | No | No |
| Optical Input | Yes | Yes |
| Coaxial Input | No | Yes |
| USB Input | No | Yes |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes (SBC, aptX) |
| Frequency Response | 18Hz - 21kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 52Hz - 40kHz |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 4.1 |
| App | - | None (physical bass/treble knobs, IR remote) |
| EQ | - | Yes, rear-panel bass/treble trim knobs |
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