Devialet is moving its flagship Phantom speaker series into the professional audio domain by replacing consumer-grade wireless modules with native Audinate Dante and Audio over IP networking capabilities. Announced on July 23, 2026, the new Phantom Ultimate CI lineup targets the high-end custom integration market, where reliability and low-latency signal distribution are essential for complex residential and commercial installations.
The transition to a wired, network-based architecture addresses the inherent limitations of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth in large-scale properties. By embedding the Dante protocol directly into the speaker hardware, Devialet removes the requirement for external analog-to-digital converters or proprietary wireless bridges. Each unit interfaces directly with a managed network switch via standard Ethernet cabling, which simplifies the physical installation process while maintaining signal integrity across long cable runs.
Rodrigo Arrambide, Devialet’s General Manager for the Americas, noted that this hardware shift serves as a direct response to feedback from professional installers. The integration allows technicians to deploy the company’s signature acoustic performance within a professional ecosystem that demands stability. Integrators can now manage the speakers through a native IP control API and a browser-based management portal designed for rapid configuration.
The product range includes two distinct output models, the 108 dB CI and the 98 dB CI, both of which support the Dante Embedded Platform. This architecture enables expanded configurations of up to 128 by 128 channels, allowing for massive scalability in multi-room or commercial audio environments. The system supports high-resolution 32-bit/96 kHz audio processing with a consistent 18 ms latency, meeting the requirements for demanding home theater deployments.
Despite the change in network transport, the internal acoustic engineering remains consistent with the brand’s consumer heritage. Both models retain the proprietary ADH hybrid amplification, SAM driver protection, and HBI bass architecture, which allows the 108 dB model to reach frequencies as low as 14 Hz. The units ship with a flat monitoring sound signature, providing a neutral baseline that installers can calibrate using upstream digital signal processors or standard matrix routing tools.
The company plans to release dedicated control drivers for major automation platforms later this fall, including Crestron, Crestron Home, Savant, Control4, RTI, and NICE/ELAN. These drivers will facilitate deeper integration into existing smart home control schemes, allowing for centralized volume capping and system-wide monitoring. The speakers are available in Light Pearl, Deep Forest, and an Opéra de Paris edition featuring 22-karat gold finishing.
This strategic pivot highlights the increasing convergence between high-fidelity consumer audio and professional networking standards. By adopting Dante, Devialet is positioning its hardware to compete in the commercial sector where proprietary wireless protocols often fail to meet the rigorous uptime and synchronization requirements of enterprise-grade installations. The shift effectively transforms a luxury lifestyle product into a functional component of a professional infrastructure stack.
The reliance on standard Ethernet infrastructure reduces the total hardware footprint for integrators, potentially lowering the barrier to entry for high-end audio projects. By moving away from consumer-centric wireless standards, the company is betting that the demand for uncompressed, reliable audio over IP will outweigh the convenience of wireless connectivity in the luxury market. Future deployments will likely test how well this high-performance hardware holds up against traditional, passive professional audio solutions in large-scale, multi-zone environments.
The formal debut of the Phantom Ultimate CI at the upcoming CEDIA Expo will serve as a primary indicator of market reception among professional integrators. Success will depend on the stability of the IP control drivers and the ease with which these units integrate into existing, complex network topologies. The five-year professional warranty suggests that Devialet intends to support these units as long-term infrastructure assets rather than disposable consumer electronics.