Short answer: the Devialet Phantom II 98 dB for better sound quality, the Airpulse A100 for the lower price. The Devialet Phantom II 98 dB ranks #9 of 65 powered bookshelf speakers at $2998. The Airpulse A100 ranks #25 at $999.99, $1998.01 cheaper.
What the Devialet Phantom II 98 dB offers: The manufacturer-supplied measurement shows unusually deep bass for the enclosure size: -3dB at 30Hz. Scores of 6.07 standalone and 7.15 with an ideal subwoofer suggest that its appeal is not limited to bass quantity. Integrated amplification and network playback can replace several components, and its 2.3dB midrange response span is reasonably even. Watch for: Small-enclosure bass extension at the measurement level does not guarantee the same response at high volume. Stereo requires two units, and the integrated architecture offers less system flexibility than conventional monitors.
What the Airpulse A100 offers: ASR’s Klippel data gives a 2.9dB midrange span and scores of 3.66 standalone and 6.18 with an ideal subwoofer. The ribbon tweeter and five-inch woofer provide a distinctive compact powered system, with remote control and a subwoofer output simplifying everyday use. Watch for: Bass reaches -3dB around 63Hz, so lower notes need a subwoofer for full weight. Listening-window narrow-band deviation of 0.419 shows more local tonal variation than the leading monitors. Rear tone controls are less flexible than parametric EQ or room correction. Neither the ribbon tweeter nor a directivity-index summary establishes uniquely wide or perfectly controlled dispersion.
Buy the Devialet Phantom II 98 dB if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Airpulse A100 if the price matters more than sound quality.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Devialet Phantom II 98 dB | Airpulse A100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,998 per pair | $999.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #9 of 65 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #25 of 65 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 | 6.07 | 3.66 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.15 | 6.18 |
| App | - | None (physical bass/treble knobs, IR remote) |
| Bluetooth | - | Yes (SBC, aptX) |
| EQ | - | Yes, rear-panel bass/treble trim knobs |
| Frequency Response | - | 52Hz - 40kHz |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Devialet Phantom II 98 dB compares with other leading options:
- Genelec 8331A vs Devialet Phantom II 98 dB
- Neumann KH120 MKII vs Devialet Phantom II 98 dB
- Genelec 8030C vs Devialet Phantom II 98 dB
- Neumann KH80 DSP vs Devialet Phantom II 98 dB
- Devialet Phantom II 98 dB vs Dynaudio LYD 5
Prices on this page were last checked September 16, 2026 at 12:41 AM 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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The Two Speakers In Full
Devialet Phantom II 98 dB: $2,998 per pair Devialet eBay
Pros: The manufacturer-supplied measurement shows unusually deep bass for the enclosure size: -3dB at 30Hz. Scores of 6.07 standalone and 7.15 with an ideal subwoofer suggest that its appeal is not limited to bass quantity. Integrated amplification and network playback can replace several components, and its 2.3dB midrange response span is reasonably even. Measured bass extension of 30Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Small-enclosure bass extension at the measurement level does not guarantee the same response at high volume. Stereo requires two units, and the integrated architecture offers less system flexibility than conventional monitors.
Full Devialet Phantom II 98 dB review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 400W RMS each |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | approximately 22.6Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 30Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Dimensions | 6.6 x 6.2 x 8.6 in each |
| Drivers | One aluminum full-range driver; two aluminum bass drivers |
| Inputs | Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Bluetooth, AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, UPnP, Roon Ready, analog/optical combo jack |
| Maximum SPL | 98dB at 1m each (manufacturer specified) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.07 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.15 |
| Weight | 9.5 lbs (4.3 kg) each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Devialet Phantom II 98 dB vs Genelec 8020D
- Devialet Phantom II 98 dB vs Genelec 8330A
- Devialet Phantom II 98 dB vs Klipsch The Fives
- Devialet Phantom II 98 dB vs Dynaudio LYD 5
- Devialet Phantom II 98 dB vs JBL 305P MKII
- Devialet Phantom II 98 dB vs Neumann KH80 DSP
- Devialet Phantom II 98 dB vs KEF LS50 Wireless II
- Devialet Phantom II 98 dB vs Genelec 8030C
- See all 37 comparisons
Airpulse A100: $999.99 per pair Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: ASR’s Klippel data gives a 2.9dB midrange span and scores of 3.66 standalone and 6.18 with an ideal subwoofer. The ribbon tweeter and five-inch woofer provide a distinctive compact powered system, with remote control and a subwoofer output simplifying everyday use. Measured bass extension of 63.0Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Bass reaches -3dB around 63Hz, so lower notes need a subwoofer for full weight. Listening-window narrow-band deviation of 0.419 shows more local tonal variation than the leading monitors. Rear tone controls are less flexible than parametric EQ or room correction. Neither the ribbon tweeter nor a directivity-index summary establishes uniquely wide or perfectly controlled dispersion.
Full Airpulse A100 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 100W total (40W+40W woofer, 10W+10W tweeter) |
|---|---|
| App | None (physical bass/treble knobs, IR remote) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53.2Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 63.0Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bluetooth | Yes (SBC, aptX) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX |
| Dimensions | 6.3" x 11.1" x 10" (160 x 283 x 255 mm) each |
| Drivers | Horn-loaded ribbon tweeter, 5" hard-anodized aluminum cone woofer |
| EQ | Yes, rear-panel bass/treble trim knobs |
| Frequency Response | 52Hz - 40kHz |
| Inputs | RCA (aux), USB, optical, coaxial, Bluetooth aptX |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.66 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.18 |
| Weight | 24.3 lbs (11 kg) each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons