Short answer: the Pitt & Giblin Flare. It ranks #12 of 68 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.6/5, at $12760. The Devialet Phantom Ultimate 108dB ranks #29, rated 4.4/5, at $7998, $4762 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
The case for the Devialet Phantom Ultimate 108dB: Erin’s measurements show full bass output all the way down to about 20Hz, the lowest frequency measured, which is remarkable from a single cabinet about 34cm deep. Watch for: DSP limiting and compression take over near maximum volume, so the deep bass you hear at moderate levels shrinks when you push it; Erin’s 96dB distortion test ran into the limiter.
What the Pitt & Giblin Flare does well: Manufacturer measurements indicate a tight 1.1dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz and a 8.51 ideal-subwoofer score, promising natural vocal balance. The catch: This is a substantial specialist system rather than an uncomplicated desktop purchase.
Buy the Pitt & Giblin Flare. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $4762 with the Devialet Phantom Ultimate 108dB does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Still deciding? The full Powered Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Devialet Phantom Ultimate 108dB | Pitt & Giblin Flare | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $7,998 per pair | $8,300 per pair |
| Ranked | #29 of 68 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #12 of 68 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | <21Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | <21Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) | - |
| Dimensions | 10"H x 9.7"W x 13.5"D (255 x 246 x 342 mm) | 11.6"W x 17.3"H x 11.4"D (295 x 440 x 290 mm) (cabinet); waveguide adds 110mm to total height |
| Weight | 24.5 lbs (11.1 kg) each | 37.5 lbs (17 kg) each |
| Drivers | Aluminum tweeter, aluminum midrange, two opposed aluminum woofers | 8" (200mm) paper-cone mid-bass driver, 25mm polymer compression driver on a cast-bronze circular waveguide |
| Inputs | Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Bluetooth, Optical | Analogue XLR/RCA, S/PDIF coaxial digital |
| App | Yes (Devialet) | - |
| Bluetooth | Yes (5.3 with SBC, AAC) | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC | - |
| Wi-Fi | Yes (Wi-Fi 6, dual-band) | - |
| Streaming Services | Yes (AirPlay 2, Google Cast, Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, Roon Ready, UPnP) | - |
| Amplifier Power | 1,100W total | 250W per speaker, bi-amplified (Pascal Class-D) |
| Maximum SPL | 108dB (manufacturer specified) | - |
| Frequency Response | 14Hz - 35kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 36Hz-25kHz +/-1.5dB |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.73 | 7.12 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.38 | 8.51 |
| Subwoofer Output | No | - |
| XLR Input | No | Yes |
| RCA Input | No | Yes |
| TRS Input | No | No |
| Optical Input | Yes | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | Yes |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Enclosure | - | 2-way active, rear-ported reflex |
| Country | - | Hand-built in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia |
Related Speaker Comparisons
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- Devialet Phantom Ultimate 108dB vs Meyer Sound Amie
- Devialet Phantom Ultimate 108dB vs O.S. Acoustics DBS8
- Devialet Phantom Ultimate 108dB vs Genelec S360
Prices on this page were last checked September 23, 2026 at 11:24 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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The Two Speakers In Full
Devialet Phantom Ultimate 108dB: $7,998 per pair Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: Erin’s measurements show full bass output all the way down to about 20Hz, the lowest frequency measured, which is remarkable from a single cabinet about 34cm deep. The listening window is close to flat, with a -0.04dB per octave tilt and 0.80 smoothness, earning a 6.73 preference score on its own and 7.38 with an ideal subwoofer. Directivity is smooth, so room reflections keep the same tonal balance as the direct sound. Wi-Fi 6 streaming with AirPlay 2, Google Cast, Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect and Roon Ready, plus Ethernet and optical inputs, makes one unit a complete music system. Measured bass extension of <21Hz (-3dB).
Cons: DSP limiting and compression take over near maximum volume, so the deep bass you hear at moderate levels shrinks when you push it; Erin’s 96dB distortion test ran into the limiter. Stereo means buying two units, which puts a pair well above conventional powered monitors that measure as well. There is no analog input or subwoofer output, and the rounded shape does not sit on a shelf or desk stand like a box speaker.
Full Devialet Phantom Ultimate 108dB review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 1,100W total |
| App | Yes (Devialet) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | <21Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | <21Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | Yes (5.3 with SBC, AAC) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 10"H x 9.7"W x 13.5"D (255 x 246 x 342 mm) |
| Drivers | Aluminum tweeter, aluminum midrange, two opposed aluminum woofers |
| Frequency Response | 14Hz - 35kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Bluetooth, Optical |
| Maximum SPL | 108dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Optical Input | Yes |
| RCA Input | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.73 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.38 |
| Streaming Services | Yes (AirPlay 2, Google Cast, Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, Roon Ready, UPnP) |
| Subwoofer Output | No |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 24.5 lbs (11.1 kg) each |
| Wi-Fi | Yes (Wi-Fi 6, dual-band) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Pitt & Giblin Flare: $8,300 per pair Pitt & Giblin eBay
Pros: Manufacturer measurements indicate a tight 1.1dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz and a 8.51 ideal-subwoofer score, promising natural vocal balance. Measured -3dB extension of 37Hz suggests useful standalone bass from this active system.
Cons: This is a substantial specialist system rather than an uncomplicated desktop purchase. Allow room for suitable placement and the complete active system.
Full Pitt & Giblin Flare review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 250W per speaker, bi-amplified (Pascal Class-D) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | Yes |
| Country | Hand-built in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia |
| Dimensions | 11.6"W x 17.3"H x 11.4"D (295 x 440 x 290 mm) (cabinet); waveguide adds 110mm to total height |
| Drivers | 8" (200mm) paper-cone mid-bass driver, 25mm polymer compression driver on a cast-bronze circular waveguide |
| Enclosure | 2-way active, rear-ported reflex |
| Frequency Response | 36Hz-25kHz +/-1.5dB |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | Analogue XLR/RCA, S/PDIF coaxial digital |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 7.12 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.51 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 37.5 lbs (17 kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons