Devialet Mania Review: Sound in Motion

• Exquisite luxury feel
• Classy stretch cotton grille panels
• Solid no-nonsense build

Devialet has a propensity for producing spherical or ovoid shaped loudspeakers, not least reflected in the premium Phantom Theater series or the Phantom I and II home devices. This design philosophy promotes improved sonic immersion while minimising wave diffraction.

The Mania is no exception and carries on in the tradition. The 1.77-kg weight is consequential, considering the diameter is just over 19 cm.

The Mania is available in three colour options presently. While the deep black version is the one I received, there are also light grey and a special Opéra de Paris iterations currently on sale. The brown and gold Fendi limited edition appears to have sold out but could conceivably come back.

The Mania sports two curved edge and stretched black fabric panels covering the orb’s surface and concealing four full-range drivers. It’s bisected down a centre line with an indented chrome finish. The two circular front and rear mounted grey bass woofer diaphragms are slightly recessed and encircled in a chrome accent surround. The juxtaposition of layered surfaces lends to the polished appearance. The build is also brawny, to say the least. It’s so gorgeous, one wonders if it should be taken anywhere outside the house.

There are several convenient options for carrying the Mania. The first is a watch-grade composite strap attached to the speaker, the sides of which brandish the operation buttons on either side. Devialet includes a black cotton carrying bag inside the box but an available ‘cocoon’ carrying case (£89) might be a good option for regular travellers.

Devialet promotes the speaker’s portable qualifications with a poolside IPX4 splash-resistant rating. Finally, Devialet provides a discreet flat-disc charging station and mains cord. The Mania can rotate on this grey-coloured base while always maintaining a connection. If you prefer a wireless dock, that’s another optional extra for £89.

Features

• Active stereo calibration
• 4 x 25-watt drivers, 2 x 38-watt woofers
• Replaceable battery

Four full-range cones and two woofers make up the driver count inside the Mania. The former are each powered by 25-watt and the latter by 38-watt Class D-based amp modules. These produce 360-degree stereo sound, according to Devialet, allowing you to get a stereo effect when the speaker is in any orientation relative to the listener.

This is augmented by Active Stereo Calibration where four embedded microphones analyse the speaker’s surroundings in real time to deliver optimal performance for the situation.

The Devialet phone app for iOS and Android is reliable and neatly laid out. It helpfully guides the user through setting up both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections with minimal hassle. Complementing active stereo calibration is a useful app setting for further maximising performance by selecting whether the device is in the middle of a room or against a wall.

Additionally, an equaliser can toggle flat response or a voice-biased mode, the latter being surprisingly effective. You can boost or drop high or low frequencies within a +/- 6 dB range in the custom mode. It’s somewhat limited, but there’s tweaking potential.

Mania runs on DOS2, the same protocol supported by Devialet’s Phantom and Dione speakers. So, if you’re Devialet die-hard, you can control the whole shebang from the app. The French maker throws in Spotify Connect and AirPlay 2 platforms for good measure, and Alexa voice control is a welcome and seamlessly performing activation tool.

And if you plan to keep the tunes thumping away outside, the battery life is rated at 10 hours. Plus, a nice feature is the replaceable battery. When manufacturers boast of their sustainability credentials, it’s good to see them acted upon.

Sound Quality

• Clean, open sound
• Full-bodied bass
• Warm, inviting timbre

From the get-go, and placed in the middle of my studio, the Mania contrives a balanced, open and spacious musical soundscape. Flitting between the active stereo calibration and the non-calibrated status, it’s clear how effective the feature is. Instrument isolation and the midrange at large took a big hit when turned off.

The Mania’s overall output is detailed and alluring, underscored by a warm sonic character. Marillion’s remaster of Hotel Hobbies from Clutching at Straws elicits clean, sparkling guitars. The drums are grounded with unobtrusive leading edges. The choruses go large with a convincing bass anchor. Indeed, high and mid frequencies appear all in check.

But it’s in the forthright bass that the Mania gets such a workout. The pumping kick drum in Sunscream’s Perfect Motion club anthem is visceral and precise. It’s not overblown, but generally proportionate. This feels like a speaker designed for club tunes.

Furthermore, it’s a quality sound, more high fidelity than small speaker, per se. And for the lower bass guitar registers in Avicii’s We Write the Story, the presentation is weighted and satisfying. That bass confidence imbues rock and pop tracks with gravity and aplomb.

The frenetic strings and harpsichord in Ron Goodwin’s Miss Marple’s Theme are smooth and airy. The bass guitar is wonderfully articulate. With that said – and clear and vivid as it is – the Mania lays on the bass with a bit of a trowel. But if it’s a choice of more grunt than not, I’ll take the former.

And when confronted with the choral voices in Francis Pott’s glorious The Souls of the Righteous, the sopranos come off a tad edgy and scratchy. It’s not always easy for small wireless speakers to get to grips with the full frequency range and complexity of choral or orchestral recordings. When they do, it’s certainly a bonus.

Should you buy it?