Devialet Mania Evaluation: Backside-Heavy, However Highly effective

For all that Mania appears a barely un-Devialet product so far as seems and specification are involved, although, the corporate’s ethos comes strongly again into focus when the speaker begins doing its factor. Linked to an Apple iPhone 13 by way of AirPlay 2, and with music starting from John Coltrane’s “My Favorite Issues” to Nation of Language’s “This Fractured Thoughts,” by way of “Don’t Go away Me Alone With Her” by Sparks taking part in, the Mania might actually solely be a Devialet product. And in fairly a number of methods, this can be a good factor.

Definitely the outright scale and the low-frequency presence of the Mania is exceptional. This can be a pretty small speaker, nevertheless it creates a big and coherent soundstage. And, as is the case with all Devialet merchandise in our expertise, it generates extra bass than appears possible. It’s managed fairly effectively, with not an excessive amount of blurring into or out of bass sounds, and when the music calls for it the Mania can hit implacably laborious. There are some listeners for whom “bass” is shorthand for “pleasure,” they usually’re those at whom the Mania is squarely aimed.

Huge Backside

The authority the speaker has over its personal low-frequency output means the Mania can specific rhythms with a good bit of confidence. Solely probably the most testing patterns or tempos may cause it to journey over its personal bass exercise, and even then solely somewhat. There’s appreciable dynamic headroom obtainable right here, too, and consequently the Devialet can swap from “loud” to “louder” to “louder nonetheless” with none issues in any way. The concept that the Mania may begin this course of at “quiet” is fanciful, although. 

The drive for all-around stereo sound is fairly profitable too. As soon as the Mania has had an opportunity to evaluate its place relative to any boundaries, it’s able to assured, constant sound that provides a good diploma of separation. The purpose supply is all the time apparent, after all, however the Devialet has a wider and but better-focused presentation than many wi-fi audio system at this type of cash. And whenever you take it outside, the place boundaries could also be so distant as to be irrelevant, the assertive nature of the Mania’s sound means it could make its sonic presence felt with out problem.

Issues, equivalent to they’re, stem from the identical supply as so lots of the positives: bass, and the emphasis on it. All through the frequency vary, the Mania is an in depth pay attention with loads of pertinent observations to make about exercise within the midrange and within the treble space. It shapes info above the low frequencies with simply as a lot positivity because it does the low frequencies themselves—however its angle is one in every of tolerance quite than engagement. All the pieces—by which we imply all the pieces—performs second fiddle to That Bass, and so it follows that the Mania’s total sound is bottom-heavy and unnatural.

For some folks, after all, this can be simply advantageous. However for listeners who’re all for realism, within the precise literal constancy of the sound they’re listening to, the Devialet’s wonky rendition of their favourite music appears unlikely within the excessive to show passable. 

Thoughts you, only a few are the battery-powered audio system that may fill an area with sound even when that house seems to be fairly a big backyard—so it’s not as if Devialet Mania possession is with out its benefits.