Short answer: the Devialet Phantom Ultimate 98dB if sound quality matters most, the Cambridge Audio L/R M if price matters most. The Devialet Phantom Ultimate 98dB ranks #16 of 105 powered bookshelf speakers, rated 4.4/5, at $3,998. The Cambridge Audio L/R M ranks #30, rated 4.2/5, at $1,599, $2,399 cheaper.
Why pick the Devialet Phantom Ultimate 98dB: The smaller Phantom Ultimate, with the same opposed side woofers as the Devialet Phantom Ultimate 108dB: two aluminum dome woofers fire outward in sync so they cancel each other’s vibration and reach very deep bass for the size, specified to 18Hz (-6dB). The catch: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared directly with measured speakers; the rating is estimated from the measured Devialet Phantom Ultimate 108dB and Phantom II 98dB.
The case for the Cambridge Audio L/R M: The middle model of Cambridge’s L/R active range, between the L/R S and L/R X. Watch for: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared directly with measured speakers; the rating is estimated from the measured L/R S and L/R X.
Buy the Devialet Phantom Ultimate 98dB when sound quality outweighs the price for you, and the Cambridge Audio L/R M when the price outweighs sound quality instead.
About the ratings: neither speaker has been measured yet, so both ratings are estimated from measured siblings and predecessors (likely ranges: Devialet Phantom Ultimate 98dB 4.1 to 4.6; Cambridge Audio L/R M 3.8 to 4.5). Treat this verdict as provisional.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Devialet Phantom Ultimate 98dB | Cambridge Audio L/R M | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $3,998 per pair | $1,599.00 per pair |
| Ranked | #16 of 105 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers Estimated | #30 of 105 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers Estimated |
| Drivers | Full-range aluminum dome, 2x opposed aluminum dome woofers | 28mm tweeter, 4” woofer, 4.75” passive radiator |
| Amplifier Power | 400W | 300W total (150W per speaker) |
| Frequency Response | 18Hz - 25kHz (-6dB, manufacturer specified) | 40Hz - 24kHz (±3dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Maximum SPL | 98dB @ 1m (manufacturer specified) | - |
| Inputs | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, optical | HDMI eARC, optical, USB-C audio, RCA, MM phono, Bluetooth |
| XLR Input | No | No |
| RCA Input | No | Yes |
| TRS Input | No | No |
| Optical Input | Yes | Yes |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | Yes |
| HDMI Input | No | Yes |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | - |
| Streaming Services | AirPlay 2, Google Cast, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect | - |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Dimensions | 6.6” (168 mm) H x 157mm W x 219mm D | 10.4” (263 mm) H x 158mm W x 190mm D (each) |
| Weight | 9.5 lbs (4.3 kg) | 13.7 lbs (6.2 kg) primary speaker, 11.9 lbs (5.4 kg) secondary speaker |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC, AAC |
| Subwoofer Output | - | Yes |
| DSP | - | Yes (room and placement correction) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to Devialet Phantom Ultimate 98dB:
- Neumann KH120 MKII vs Devialet Phantom Ultimate 98dB
- Devialet Phantom Ultimate 98dB vs Klipsch The Fives II
- Cambridge Audio L/R M vs Kali Audio SM-5
- Klipsch The Fives II vs Cambridge Audio L/R M
- Klipsch The Fives vs Genelec 8331A
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 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 98dB: $3,998 per pair Estimated Amazon eBay
Older model: the Devialet Phantom II 98 dB (ranked higher, rated 4.4/5). See every Devialet Phantom generation.
Same family: the Devialet Phantom Ultimate 108dB (larger bookshelf, rated 4.4/5).
Pros: The smaller Phantom Ultimate, with the same opposed side woofers as the Devialet Phantom Ultimate 108dB: two aluminum dome woofers fire outward in sync so they cancel each other’s vibration and reach very deep bass for the size, specified to 18Hz (-6dB). A full-range aluminum dome on the front handles the rest, with 400W of amplification. It streams over Wi-Fi with AirPlay 2, Google Cast, Spotify Connect and Tidal Connect, also takes Bluetooth and optical, and two can pair as a stereo set.
Cons: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared directly with measured speakers; the rating is estimated from the measured Devialet Phantom Ultimate 108dB and Phantom II 98dB. A single forward-firing full-range driver gives a narrower soundstage than a two-way monitor pair, and the 98dB maximum output is well below the larger model.
Full Devialet Phantom Ultimate 98dB review and specifications →
| Released | Nov 2025 (11 months ago) |
|---|---|
| AES Input | No |
| Amplifier Power | 400W |
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 6.6” (168 mm) H x 157mm W x 219mm D |
| Drivers | Full-range aluminum dome, 2x opposed aluminum dome woofers |
| Frequency Response | 18Hz - 25kHz (-6dB, manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, optical |
| Maximum SPL | 98dB @ 1m (manufacturer specified) |
| Optical Input | Yes |
| RCA Input | No |
| Streaming Services | AirPlay 2, Google Cast, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 9.5 lbs (4.3 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Cambridge Audio L/R M: $1,599.00 per pair Estimated Cambridge Audio eBay
Same family: the Cambridge Audio L/R S (smaller bookshelf, rated 4.4/5) and the Cambridge Audio L/R X (larger bookshelf, rated 4.1/5).
Pros: The middle model of Cambridge’s L/R active range, between the L/R S and L/R X. Each speaker pairs a 28mm tweeter with a 4” woofer and a 4.75” passive radiator, driven by 150W, and Cambridge specifies 40Hz to 24kHz (±3dB), so it reaches deeper than the 3”-woofer L/R S. Inputs cover nearly any source: HDMI eARC for a TV, a moving-magnet phono stage, optical, USB-C audio, RCA and Bluetooth, plus app-based room and placement correction and a subwoofer output.
Cons: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared directly with measured speakers; the rating is estimated from the measured L/R S and L/R X. Passive radiators extend bass in place of a larger woofer, so very loud low bass will compress sooner than from a bigger cabinet, and Bluetooth is limited to SBC and AAC.
Full Cambridge Audio L/R M review and specifications →
| Released | 2026 (this year) |
|---|---|
| AES Input | No |
| Amplifier Power | 300W total (150W per speaker) |
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| DSP | Yes (room and placement correction) |
| Dimensions | 10.4” (263 mm) H x 158mm W x 190mm D (each) |
| Drivers | 28mm tweeter, 4” woofer, 4.75” passive radiator |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 24kHz (±3dB, manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | Yes |
| Inputs | HDMI eARC, optical, USB-C audio, RCA, MM phono, Bluetooth |
| Optical Input | Yes |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | Yes |
| Weight | 13.7 lbs (6.2 kg) primary speaker, 11.9 lbs (5.4 kg) secondary speaker |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons