When I had these home one month back, even I thought I could be out of my socks - as dear wife could not have put it better - an alternative or substitute while waiting for the real thing my dear?
Well, the truth of the matter is, for less than S$10k, one could have a pair of these Golds, a pair of matching gorgeous looking stands called "TREES" (which I did not purchase as I don't have any more space - so its fine just sitting on the shelf), a remote control that looks wonderful and in use, as well as a "hub" that could connect almost anything one have to complete the system.
And it works with the iPhone (or Android) too, easily and superbly.
I would not say the smaller siblings, Phantom, Phantom Silver are anything lesser, but once you have heard the stereo Gold's, its really really good. If one is not deeply into hifi, this could be the end all.
The specs are impressive:
108db SPL
4.5k watts, yes, no typo.
14Hz to 27kHz
Built In DAC (up to 24/192)
Arm A9 with 512 DDR3 RAM
All in a 11.4KG Body
Know what? Throw them anything and they sound superb. So far, I've not invited anyone to my man cave (for obvious reasons - as the naked Raidho drivers are very expensive and easily fragile to the touch as they have no grills and I don't like itchy fingers) but when they sit at the living area, the Golds never fails to bring the "oooh's and the ahhhhh" and words like "amazing", "really from that bulb looking speaker?".
They are so good, understand Devialet had already planned to launch a 5.5 HT system with matching decoder and Player (think its a joint design with Oppo). I can't wait to hear them (first launched in HK earlier in September). Yes, 5.5, no typo, as the bass really rocks like 5 subs. If 14Hz from one does not qualify, what else can? And from that wee little thing? Impressive isn't it?! If there's anything thats close to 5 Meridian DSP8K se's, this could be it. A very close second! At a fraction of the price, grab it, if you have the space and knows how to place them well. Now, don't even compare them to Bose, nowhere near at all. And no pun intended as Bose, to a certain price point, does their job well to satisfy some hifi hunger.
And best of all, its wireless.
Ok, ok, just in case anyone think my new job is now a Devialet salesperson.
Disclaimer: No, I am not and had no other interests except sharing this wonderful little wonder which never fails to amaze and impress.
Of course, the Gold panels/cheeks are easy attraction for finger prints, so please stop the touch feely as I do know its hard to remove thereafter. Love them ... or hate them, for sure I love them. Performance and all.
Cheers!
