Short answer: the Devialet Phantom Ultimate 98dB, if you are buying new. The Devialet Phantom II 98 dB ranks higher than the KRK Classic 5 (#10 vs #72 of 100 powered bookshelf speakers) but is discontinued; its replacement, the Devialet Phantom Ultimate 98dB, is rated 4.4/5 at $3,998 and is still sold new.
What the KRK Classic 5 does well: ASR’s Klippel data gives -3dB bass around 60Hz and a 5.99 preference score with an ideal subwoofer. The tradeoff: The native standalone score is 3.47 and the midrange span is a large 6.5dB.
The Devialet Phantom II 98 dB is the more accurate pick. The manufacturer-supplied measurement shows unusually deep bass for the enclosure size: -3dB at 30Hz. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 6.87 against 3.47 for the KRK Classic 5. The tradeoff: Small-enclosure bass extension at the measurement level does not guarantee the same response at high volume.
Buy the Devialet Phantom Ultimate 98dB, the replacement for the discontinued Devialet Phantom II 98 dB; it is rated higher for sound quality than the KRK Classic 5.
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Specifications Side By Side
| KRK Classic 5 | Devialet Phantom II 98 dB | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $319.99 per pair | $2,998 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #72 of 100 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #10 of 100 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 60.1Hz (Spinorama/Audio Science Review) | 30Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-6dB) | 54.2Hz (Spinorama/Audio Science Review) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.47 | 6.87 |
| Dimensions | 9.7”H x 7.4”W x 11.2”D (246.4 x 188 x 284.5 mm) | 6.6 x 6.2 x 8.6 in each |
| Frequency Response | 56Hz-30kHz (+-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 18Hz - 21kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | RCA, TRS, XLR | Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Bluetooth, AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, UPnP, Roon Ready, analog/optical combo jack |
| Weight | 12.9 lbs (5.87 kg) | 9.5 lbs (4.3 kg) each |
| Drivers | 5” (127mm) woofer | One aluminum full-range driver; two aluminum bass drivers |
| App | No | - |
| Bluetooth | No | Yes |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) | - |
| Amplifier Power | 50w RMS Per Speaker | 400W RMS each |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.99 | 7.95 |
| XLR Input | Yes | No |
| RCA Input | Yes | No |
| TRS Input | Yes | No |
| Optical Input | No | Yes |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | approximately 22.6Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC, AAC |
| Maximum SPL | - | 98dB at 1m each (manufacturer specified) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Devialet Phantom II 98 dB:
- Genelec 8331A vs Devialet Phantom II 98 dB
- Neumann KH120 MKII vs Devialet Phantom II 98 dB
- Genelec 8030C vs Devialet Phantom II 98 dB
- Neumann KH80 DSP vs Devialet Phantom II 98 dB
- Devialet Phantom II 98 dB vs Dynaudio LYD 5
Prices on this page were last checked October 9, 2026 at 8:01 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
KRK Classic 5: $319.99 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: ASR’s Klippel data gives -3dB bass around 60Hz and a 5.99 preference score with an ideal subwoofer. Broad tonal correction can improve it, so it may be useful to someone willing to measure and EQ a basic studio setup. Measured bass extension of 60.1Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The native standalone score is 3.47 and the midrange span is a large 6.5dB. Excess treble and crossover/directivity errors keep it from being neutral out of the box, while low-bass distortion limits loud playback. Modeled EQ scores are not stock performance and do not demonstrate corrected distortion or dispersion.
Full KRK Classic 5 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 50w RMS Per Speaker |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 60.1Hz (Spinorama/Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-6dB) | 54.2Hz (Spinorama/Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 9.7”H x 7.4”W x 11.2”D (246.4 x 188 x 284.5 mm) |
| Drivers | 5” (127mm) woofer |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) |
| Frequency Response | 56Hz-30kHz (+-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | RCA, TRS, XLR |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.47 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.99 |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 12.9 lbs (5.87 kg) |
| XLR Input | Yes |
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- Audio Science Review Measurements (spinorama.org)
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Devialet Phantom II 98 dB: $2,998 per pair Discontinued Devialet eBay
Newer model: the Devialet Phantom Ultimate 98dB, ranked lower, estimated 4.4/5.
Pros: The manufacturer-supplied measurement shows unusually deep bass for the enclosure size: -3dB at 30Hz. Scores of 6.87 standalone and 7.95 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. Discontinued.
Full Devialet Phantom II 98 dB review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 400W RMS each |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | approximately 22.6Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 30Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 6.6 x 6.2 x 8.6 in each |
| Drivers | One aluminum full-range driver; two aluminum bass drivers |
| Frequency Response | 18Hz - 21kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Bluetooth, AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, UPnP, Roon Ready, analog/optical combo jack |
| Maximum SPL | 98dB at 1m each (manufacturer specified) |
| Optical Input | Yes |
| RCA Input | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.87 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.95 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 9.5 lbs (4.3 kg) each |
| XLR Input | No |
- 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 8320A
- Devialet Phantom II 98 dB vs Genelec 8330A
- Devialet Phantom II 98 dB vs Dynaudio LYD 5
- Devialet Phantom II 98 dB vs Neumann KH80 DSP
- Devialet Phantom II 98 dB vs Klipsch The Fives
- Devialet Phantom II 98 dB vs JBL 305P MKII
- Devialet Phantom II 98 dB vs Genelec 8030C
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