Short answer: the Devialet Phantom Ultimate 98dB, if you are buying new. The Devialet Phantom II 98 dB ranks higher than the Yamaha HS5 (#10 vs #64 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.
The case for the Yamaha HS5: ASR found reasonably smooth early-reflection directivity, which makes broad EQ correction more promising than on speakers whose off-axis response changes abruptly. The catch: The measurements do not support describing it as very neutral: excess midrange and reduced lower-midrange/upper-bass weight produce a bass-light balance.
The Devialet Phantom II 98 dB is the more accurate, deeper-bass 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 3.70 for the Yamaha HS5. Its bass reaches about 30Hz before falling 3dB, against 88Hz for the Yamaha HS5. The catch: 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 Yamaha HS5.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Yamaha HS5 | Devialet Phantom II 98 dB | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399.98 per pair | $2,998 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #64 of 100 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #10 of 100 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 88Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 30Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 68Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | approximately 22.6Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Dimensions | 11.2”H x 6.7”W x 8.7”D (284.5 x 170.2 x 221 mm) | 6.6 x 6.2 x 8.6 in each |
| Frequency Response | 58Hz - 24kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 18Hz - 21kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | XLR | Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Bluetooth, AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, UPnP, Roon Ready, analog/optical combo jack |
| Weight | 12.1 lbs (5.5 kg) each | 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 | 45w Per Speaker | 400W RMS each |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.70 | 6.87 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.32 | 7.95 |
| XLR Input | Yes | No |
| RCA Input | No | No |
| TRS Input | No | 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 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC, AAC |
| Maximum SPL | - | 98dB at 1m each (manufacturer specified) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Devialet Phantom II 98 dB compares with other leading options:
- 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 7, 2026 at 9:25 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
Yamaha HS5: $399.98 per pair Amazon eBay
Same family: the Yamaha HS3 (smaller bookshelf, estimated 2.9/5), the Yamaha HS4 (smaller bookshelf, estimated 3.1/5), the Yamaha HS7 (larger bookshelf, rated 3.9/5), the Yamaha HS8 (larger bookshelf, rated 4.4/5) and the Yamaha HS8S (subwoofer, rated 3/5).
Pros: ASR found reasonably smooth early-reflection directivity, which makes broad EQ correction more promising than on speakers whose off-axis response changes abruptly. Balanced inputs and placement controls suit studio use. The measured preference scores are 3.70 standalone and 6.32 with an ideal subwoofer. Measured bass extension of 88Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The measurements do not support describing it as very neutral: excess midrange and reduced lower-midrange/upper-bass weight produce a bass-light balance. The 300Hz-5kHz span is 4.3dB. Its automated -3dB crossing is affected by response shape, so it should not be treated as a simple bass-cutoff specification. A subwoofer adds low bass but does not fix the elevated midrange.
Full Yamaha HS5 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 45w Per Speaker |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 68Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 88Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 11.2”H x 6.7”W x 8.7”D (284.5 x 170.2 x 221 mm) |
| Drivers | 5” (127mm) woofer |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) |
| Frequency Response | 58Hz - 24kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.70 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.32 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 12.1 lbs (5.5 kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Audio Science Review Measurements More from Audio Science Review →
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review KRK Classic 5 CL5G3 vs Yamaha HS5 sound.DEMO More from DSAUDIOreview →
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Focal Alpha 50 EVO vs Yamaha HS5 sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: Genelec 8020D vs Yamaha HS5 Soun & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: JBL 305P MKII vs Yamaha HS5 6-Track Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Adam Audio T5V vs Yamaha HS5 5 Track Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Yamaha HS5 vs Presonus Eris E5 Sound Demo
- DSAUDIO.review: KRK Rokit 5 G4 RP5G4 vs Yamaha HS5 Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: New PreSonus E5 XT and Yamaha HS5 could not sound any more different! SOUND AND RESPONSE COMPARISON
- DSAUDIO.review: Yamaha HS8 vs Yamaha HS5 Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Genelec 8010A (Genelec G One) vs Yamaha HS5 Sound Demo w/ Bass Test
- 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
- See all 39 comparisons