Remarkably, the Devialet Dione manages to squeeze 17 custom drivers — nine full-range aluminium drivers and eight woofers arranged in a proprietary “push-push” configuration — in an elegant enclosure just under 4 feet wide, 6.5 inches deep, and only 3 inches high with a distinctive Orb driver in the middle.
The system is configured for 5.1.2-channel Atmos action and uses beamforming signal processing to achieve what the company describes as enveloping surround sound with object-based soundtracks. Even stereo sound is upmixed to provide three-dimensional sound. A gyro sensor detects the soundbar’s position and the audio is automatically adjusted to ensure an immersive experience whether the soundbar is mounted on the wall or resting on a piece of furniture.
The system has a 24-bit/96kHz digital to analog converter (DAC) and is powered by a proprietary hybrid analog/digital amplifier, rated to deliver 950 watts RMS. The design combines the “precision of analog with the power and compactness of digital” on a single chip, according to Devialet.
Setup and customization are handled via an app that uses four microphones built into the soundbar to calibrate the sound based on the acoustics of the space it inhabits. Volume levels are adjusted on the fly to avoid blaring commercials and the listeners have four listening modes to choose from: Movie and Spatial create a multichannel sound experience from stereo soundtracks, Voice boosts dialogue to enhance intelligibility, and Music for stereo listening with no spatialization effects.
Devialet claims a “best-in-class compactness-to-performance ratio” and says the soundbar is capable of delivering “unbelievably powerful, deep bass” on its own. The company pegs system bandwidth at 24Hz-21kHz and its maximum volume potential at 101dB SPL (at 1 meter).
The soundbar is no slouch when it comes to connectivity. It supports UPnP and streaming via AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, and Bluetooth 5.0 in addition to providing an HDMI 2.1 port with eARC and an optical input. HDMI and optical cables are included.
The Dione is $2,400 and available for pre-order on the Devialet website or at Crutchfield, Audio Advice, or World Wide Stereo. The soundbar ships in late April and includes free UPS shipping. For more information, including a list of Devialet retail stores, visit devialet.com.
