Devialet Phantom Reactor 900

Mad design ; Powerful output ; Solid connectivity

Very expensive ; Can sound cramped

With a unique look and room-filling power, the Devialet Phantom Reactor 900 comes close to justifying its big price tag.

Distinct, compact design ; Dynamic audio with plenty of oomph ; Logical easy-to-use controls

On the expensive side

An idiosyncratic wireless speaker that sounds a lot less bonkers than it looks

Sparkling dynamics combined with very consistent sound, from deepest bass to brightest overtones. Given the size of this Phantom, the sound level is insane!

The bass gets weaker when the speakers are pushed to their limits. At the time of testing, the option of stereo pairing two speakers or multiroom audio wasn’t yet available.

The Devialet Phantom Reactor 900 sounds tight, open and good, and with a fabulous reproduction of the bass right down at levels where substantially larger floor speakers give up. And all that from a cabinet of just three litres! The Reactor 900 pulls...