Short answer: the Genelec 8331A if sound quality matters most, the Devialet Phantom II 98 dB if price matters most. The Genelec 8331A ranks #1 of 65 powered bookshelf speakers at $5750. The Devialet Phantom II 98 dB ranks #9 at $2998, $2752 cheaper.
What the Genelec 8331A offers: Erin’s Klippel measurements support its reference-monitor credentials: a 1.4dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz, low listening-window and predicted-room irregularity, and preference scores of 5.91 standalone and 7.85 with an ideal subwoofer. The coaxial mid/tweeter and concealed woofers maintain coherent radiation as listening position changes. Bass reaches -3dB around 48Hz, and GLM adds level, delay and room-response calibration. Watch for: Expensive, with studio-oriented XLR connectivity rather than consumer streaming. The compact woofers still limit deep-bass output, and the review reports protection muting when pushed beyond its operating range. GLM calibration hardware is an additional purchase. Its excellent tonal score does not remove the need for a subwoofer or larger monitor at demanding levels.
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.
Buy the Genelec 8331A when sound quality outweighs the price for you, and the Devialet Phantom II 98 dB when the price outweighs sound quality instead.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Genelec 8331A | Devialet Phantom II 98 dB | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4,500 per pair | $2,998 per pair |
| Ranked | #1 of 65 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #9 of 65 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 49Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) | 30Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 39Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) | approximately 22.6Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Sensitivity | Not applicable (active DSP loudspeaker) | - |
| Maximum SPL | 100dB at 3m before protection (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) | 98dB at 1m each (manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | 72W LF + 36W MF + 36W HF | 400W RMS each |
| Drivers | Dual 130x65mm woofers; 90mm coaxial mid; 19mm tweeter | One aluminum full-range driver; two aluminum bass drivers |
| Dimensions | 12"H x 7.4"W x 8.3"D (305 x 189 x 212 mm) | 6.6 x 6.2 x 8.6 in each |
| Weight | 14.8 lbs (6.7kg) each | 9.5 lbs (4.3 kg) each |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.91 | 6.07 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.85 | 7.15 |
| Inputs | - | Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Bluetooth, AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, UPnP, Roon Ready, analog/optical combo jack |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC, AAC |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Genelec 8331A compares with other leading options:
- Genelec 8331A vs Neumann KH120 MKII
- Genelec 8331A vs Genelec 8030C
- Genelec 8331A vs Neumann KH80 DSP
- Dynaudio LYD 5 vs Genelec 8331A
- Genelec 8331A vs Genelec 8330A
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
Genelec 8331A: $4,500 per pair B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: Erin’s Klippel measurements support its reference-monitor credentials: a 1.4dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz, low listening-window and predicted-room irregularity, and preference scores of 5.91 standalone and 7.85 with an ideal subwoofer. The coaxial mid/tweeter and concealed woofers maintain coherent radiation as listening position changes. Bass reaches -3dB around 48Hz, and GLM adds level, delay and room-response calibration. Measured bass extension of 49Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Expensive, with studio-oriented XLR connectivity rather than consumer streaming. The compact woofers still limit deep-bass output, and the review reports protection muting when pushed beyond its operating range. GLM calibration hardware is an additional purchase. Its excellent tonal score does not remove the need for a subwoofer or larger monitor at demanding levels.
Full Genelec 8331A review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 72W LF + 36W MF + 36W HF |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 39Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 49Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 12"H x 7.4"W x 8.3"D (305 x 189 x 212 mm) |
| Drivers | Dual 130x65mm woofers; 90mm coaxial mid; 19mm tweeter |
| Maximum SPL | 100dB at 3m before protection (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | Not applicable (active DSP loudspeaker) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.91 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.85 |
| Weight | 14.8 lbs (6.7kg) each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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