Short answer: the Devialet Phantom Ultimate 98dB for better sound quality, the Vanatoo Transparent Zero Plus for the lower price. The Devialet Phantom II 98 dB ranks higher than the Vanatoo Transparent Zero Plus (#11 vs #46 of 108 powered bookshelf speakers) but is discontinued. Its replacement, the Devialet Phantom Ultimate 98dB, is rated 4.4/5 at $3,998; the Vanatoo Transparent Zero Plus is rated 3.9/5 at $499.99, $3,498.01 cheaper.
The Devialet Phantom II 98 dB is the more accurate, deeper-bass choice. 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 4.07 for the Vanatoo Transparent Zero Plus. Its bass reaches about 30Hz before falling 3dB, against 92Hz for the Vanatoo Transparent Zero Plus. The catch: Small-enclosure bass extension at the measurement level does not guarantee the same response at high volume.
What the Vanatoo Transparent Zero Plus does well: A compact desktop pair with an even midrange, Bluetooth and USB inputs, and automatic subwoofer crossover. It supports aptX HD 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: The measured -3dB point is around 95Hz, with a much lower F10 in the original review; this is not flat bass to the low-50Hz region.
Buy the Vanatoo Transparent Zero Plus 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.
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A compact wireless streaming speaker with startlingly deep bass for its size and an even, well balanced sound.
A compact desktop pair with an even midrange, Bluetooth and USB inputs, and automatic subwoofer crossover.
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 | Vanatoo Transparent Zero Plus | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,998 per pair Discontinued | $499.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #11 of 108 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #46 of 108 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 30Hz (measured, spinorama.org) | 92Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | approximately 22.6Hz (measured, spinorama.org) | 53Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | One aluminum full-range driver; two aluminum bass drivers | 4” aluminum cone woofer, 4” long-throw passive radiator, 1” soft dome tweeter |
| Inputs | Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Bluetooth, AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, UPnP, Roon Ready, analog/optical combo jack | Bluetooth (aptX HD), USB (24-bit/96kHz), Toslink Optical (24-bit/96kHz), 3.5mm Analog |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD |
| Amplifier Power | 400W RMS each | 120W total (Class D) |
| Dimensions | 6.6 x 6.2 x 8.6 in each | 8.5”H x 5.5”W x 6”D |
| Weight | 9.5 lbs (4.3 kg) each | 7.1 lbs (3.2 kg) each |
| Maximum SPL | 98dB at 1m each (manufacturer specified) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.87 | 4.07 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.95 | 6.73 |
| XLR Input | No | No |
| RCA Input | No | No |
| TRS Input | No | No |
| Optical Input | Yes | Yes |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | Yes |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 18Hz - 21kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 56Hz - 20kHz (+/-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.1 |
| Sensitivity | - | 88.5dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DSP | - | Yes (8th-order Butterworth high-pass at 58Hz) |
| Subwoofer Output | - | Yes |
| Outputs | - | RCA subwoofer |
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