Short answer: the Devialet Phantom Ultimate 98dB for better sound quality, the Klipsch The Fives II for the lower price. The Devialet Phantom Ultimate 98dB ranks #16 of 105 powered bookshelf speakers, rated 4.4/5, at $3,998. The Klipsch The Fives II ranks #22, rated 4.3/5, at $1,399.99, $2,598.01 cheaper.
The case for 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). 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 Devialet Phantom Ultimate 108dB and Phantom II 98dB.
The case for the Klipsch The Fives II: Next-generation update featuring Onkyo-engineered Class-D amplification (160W continuous, 320W peak) driving a 1-inch titanium LTS vented tweeter on a 90x90 Tractrix horn and a 5.25-inch Jet Cerametallic woofer. The catch: Priced around $1,399 a pair, representing a substantial price increase over the original Fives.
Buy the Devialet Phantom Ultimate 98dB when sound quality outweighs the price for you, and the Klipsch The Fives II 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; Klipsch The Fives II 4.1 to 4.5). Treat this verdict as provisional.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Devialet Phantom Ultimate 98dB | Klipsch The Fives II | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $3,998 per pair | $1,399.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #16 of 105 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers Estimated | #22 of 105 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers Estimated |
| Drivers | Full-range aluminum dome, 2x opposed aluminum dome woofers | 1” titanium LTS tweeter on Tractrix horn, 5.25” Jet Cerametallic woofer |
| Amplifier Power | 400W | 160W total (320W peak) |
| Frequency Response | 18Hz - 25kHz (-6dB, manufacturer specified) | 50Hz - 25kHz (-3dB, Manufacturer specified) |
| Maximum SPL | 98dB @ 1m (manufacturer specified) | - |
| Inputs | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, optical | HDMI eARC, Phono/RCA, Optical, USB-C, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi |
| XLR Input | No | - |
| RCA Input | No | Yes (switchable phono preamp) |
| TRS Input | No | - |
| Optical Input | Yes | Yes |
| Coaxial Input | No | - |
| USB Input | No | Yes (USB-C) |
| HDMI Input | No | Yes (HDMI 2.1 eARC) |
| AES Input | No | - |
| Aux Input | No | - |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | Yes (Google Cast, AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Roon Ready) |
| Streaming Services | AirPlay 2, Google Cast, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect | - |
| App | Yes | Yes (Klipsch Connect) |
| Dimensions | 6.6” (168 mm) H x 157mm W x 219mm D | 12” x 6.5” x 9.5” (305 x 165 x 241 mm) |
| Weight | 9.5 lbs (4.3 kg) | 26 lbs (11.8 kg) |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.4 |
| Dolby Atmos | - | Yes |
| EQ | - | Yes (Dirac Live ready) |
| Subwoofer Output | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to Devialet Phantom Ultimate 98dB:
- Neumann KH120 MKII vs Devialet Phantom Ultimate 98dB
- Devialet Phantom Ultimate 98dB vs Cambridge Audio L/R M
- Klipsch The Fives II vs Cambridge Audio L/R M
- Klipsch The Fives vs Klipsch The Fives II
- 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
Klipsch The Fives II: $1,399.99 per pair Estimated Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay
Older model: the Klipsch The Fives (ranked higher, rated 4.3/5). See every Klipsch The Fives, Sevens and Nines generation.
Same family: the Klipsch The Sevens II (larger bookshelf, estimated 3.8/5) and the Klipsch The Nines II (larger bookshelf, estimated 4.3/5).
Pros: Next-generation update featuring Onkyo-engineered Class-D amplification (160W continuous, 320W peak) driving a 1-inch titanium LTS vented tweeter on a 90x90 Tractrix horn and a 5.25-inch Jet Cerametallic woofer. Upgrades include HDMI 2.1 eARC with Dolby Atmos decoding, high-resolution Wi-Fi streaming (Google Cast, AirPlay 2, Spotify/Tidal/Qobuz Connect, Roon Ready), Bluetooth 5.4, Dirac Live room correction support, and a switchable phono preamp alongside optical and USB-C inputs. Low-frequency extension is rated to 50Hz (-3dB) with dynamic bass EQ extending down to 40Hz at moderate volumes.
Cons: Priced around $1,399 a pair, representing a substantial price increase over the original Fives. Standardized Klippel NFS preference scores and CEA-2010 output limits have not yet been published to verify distortion under heavy bass loads.
Full Klipsch The Fives II review and specifications →
| Released | Jan 2026 (9 months ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 160W total (320W peak) |
| App | Yes (Klipsch Connect) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Dimensions | 12” x 6.5” x 9.5” (305 x 165 x 241 mm) |
| Dolby Atmos | Yes |
| Drivers | 1” titanium LTS tweeter on Tractrix horn, 5.25” Jet Cerametallic woofer |
| EQ | Yes (Dirac Live ready) |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 25kHz (-3dB, Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | Yes (HDMI 2.1 eARC) |
| Inputs | HDMI eARC, Phono/RCA, Optical, USB-C, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi |
| Optical Input | Yes |
| RCA Input | Yes (switchable phono preamp) |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes |
| USB Input | Yes (USB-C) |
| Weight | 26 lbs (11.8 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes (Google Cast, AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Roon Ready) |
- 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