Page 41 - Hi-Fi World (January 2020)

REVIEW

octaves in a balanced, controlled way. Better, the Reactors provide a
But it wasn’t just a thumping bass-fest, wide soundstage so it didn’t seem
more a controlled, nuanced sound. The as though I was listening to a pair
high-frequency beeps on some tracks of constrained ‘speakers, but a band
also made me sit up as they appeared playing live in front of me. The snowflake-
from seemingly nowhere and then And, for all that bass on offer, the shaped grille
disappeared just as quickly. Reactors do not want for delicacy. The in front of the
Their front driver does a good job gentle tones of Margot Timmins’ vocals
of projecting mid and high frequencies on ‘Blue Moon Revisited (Song For midrange/high
into the room. Also, bass was neither Elvis)’ from Cowboy Junkies’ Trinity frequency driver
slow nor sluggish, always keeping Sessions (24/96) sent shivers down my is designed to
excellent timing without descending spine. Her intonation was enthralling give each loud-
into uncontrolled distortion that can and the reproduction pitch perfect. speaker a wide
rob a track of focus, speed and power. At the end of the day these soundstage.
I came to the conclusion I could new Devialet Phantom Reactors
happily use this ‘speaker in a medium- are capable of handling with aplomb
sized room without any qualms. anything you can throw at them. They’ll
That said, good as it sounds with bring the best out of bass-heavy tracks
a Reactor on its own there’s no true with a power that hits you in the But there’s a lot more to them than
stereo effect on offer. For some that stomach but can also sound sweet and that. They are clean, clear and crisp
might not be a problem depending smooth-sounding with lighter material. and come in such a small form factor
how and where they want to use the Buy one and you’ll be impressed – get they are easy to be placed anywhere
Reactor, because high quality mono two as a stereo pair and they sound in a room.
has its own merits. But pairing two even better. The unusual looks might deter
Reactors for stereo brought a huge some people but they shouldn’t
leap in sound quality, as you might CONCLUSION because the sonics they produce
expect. Listen to the Reactors and it’s as are exceptional. A single unit sounds
The Devialet app allows you to though you’ve hidden a dedicated good – but as a stereo pair they are
designate one as the left channel and subwoofer somewhere in the room. amongst the best at the price.
one as the right. Being wireless no
physical connection is needed – simply
plug both into a mains power socket. MEASURED PERFORMANCE
That done the spread of sound Frequency response of the Phantom Devialet have achieved an impressive
around the room was truly impressive. Reactor 900 measured flat from 30Hz to result. There is some loss of output
Yet again bass output belied the size of 20kHz our third-octave analysis of pink in the 150Hz region that will lessen
the loudspeakers – now it seemed two noise shows, with little variation around warmth, but a small lift below 100Hz
big floorstanders were pumping out the 0dB datum. This is an academically that will strengthen deep bass, right
music. flat and therefore tonally accurate down to a very low 30Hz where the
The Clash’s ‘One More Dub’ from loudspeaker, likely equalised internally to Reactor is +3dB up – enough to add
Sandinista positively romped along be so. Because it uses a single forward subjective weight to very deep bass.
with deep bass but also a sense of facing mid/treble unit in a spherical The only drawback here is that the twin
timing and detail that put some more cabinet the forward response varies bass units will work very hard if volume
expensive loudspeakers I’ve heard to little vertically or horizontally, meaning is turned up; disco bass levels will be DEVIALET
shame. the Reactor will not change its sound unrealistic and the amplifier may well PHANTOM
according to listening position, as many protection limit if too much is demanded. REACTOR 900
larger multi-way loudspeakers can do. Sensitivity was high, a low 100mV £1290 EACH
Output from the tweeter rose quite being needed for 90dB sound pressure £
sharply above 10kHz to +5dB at 20kHz level (loud) at 1m. Any portable device, OUTSTANDING - amongst
on-axis, but this fell back a little off even a mobile ‘phone, can deliver this the best.
axis, to give the measured result we with ease since they produce 800mV or
show at 30 degrees. The Reactor is best more. VALUE - keenly priced.
pointed straight down a room rather than The Phantom Reactor has been
directly at listeners, some of whom may tailored to deliver a very accurate result VERDICT
Different in design but superb
detect such an effect with treble-strong in terms of sound balance. It is smooth sounding. Articulate bass and
recordings. and peak free, plus it goes very low for a sweet top end add to the
A well supported upper midrange strong deep bass. NK appeal.
with no crossover dip will deliver plenty
of apparent detail; the Reactor will sound FREQUENCY RESPONSE FOR
- massive bass
quite forthright – not mild or warm. +20 - smooth mid and treble
Notionally correct but like all modern +10 - compact dimensions
loudspeakers with such a response, poor dB - dedicated app
digital recordings will have their faults 0 - easy set-up
exposed. This is a revealing loudspeaker, -10
At rear is the wired ethernet rather than a euphonic one. AGAINST
- need two for stereo
connection, power supply Getting bass from a small cabinet -20
socket and a 3.5mm analogue/ is always a major design issue and here -30 20 100 Hz 1k 20k Devialet
digital (optical) input jack. www.devialet.com

www.hi-fiworld.co.uk JANUARY 2020 HI-FI WORLD 41