Here Are Beyoncé and Jay Z’s Favorite Speakers

When was the last time you shared music? No, not sending a playlist or an MP3 file—actually sitting down and listening to music at home with friends? French company Devialet is bringing back the idea that enjoying music at home should be an event, not just background noise. Founded in 2007 by business consultant Quentin Sannié, engineer Pierre-Emmanuel Calmel, and designer Emmanuel Nardin, the company’s products blend analog and digital amplification, which allows for clear, undistorted sound even at high volumes. “This technology presents music as an artist intends it to be heard—with all the details,” says Sannié, who serves as CEO. “This is what makes it such an emotional experience.”

While the company started with the high-end Expert Pro line, which ranges in price from $7,690 to $34,990, it has made the technology available to a wider audience with Phantom, a wireless system that has quickly gained fans (and investors) such as Beyoncé, Jay Z, and LVMH CEO Bernard Arnault. Devialet’s designers and engineers worked closely together on the development of Phantom to create a speaker that looks as good as it sounds. “The design inspiration was led by our co-founder Emmanuel Nardin, and it’s quite Bauhaus,” says Sannié. “We wanted it to be simple and intriguing, but at its core Phantom’s design is dictated by function: providing the best possible acoustic performance. This is why there is a spheric shape, and you see movement, which is a quite unexpected design experience.“ Woofers on either side move hypnotically with the music, showing even low, imperceptible frequencies.

Phantom starts at $1,990 for the base model, although the star of the collection is Phantom Gold ($2,990), which is eight times as powerful as the regular Phantom and boasts 4,500 watts and 108 decibels of power. All Phantoms easily connect with Spotify, Tidal, and Airplay, as well as the brand’s Spark app.

In addition to its celebrity devotees, Devialet has gained a following in the cultural world. Artist Xavier Veilhan installed Phantom speakers in his design for the French Pavilion at the Venice Biennale, where they will play the music of 100 different musicians. The company has also just announced a partnership with the Paris Opera and will create a Devialet space within the Opera Garnier. These partnerships further the company’s mission of reconnecting listeners with the musical experience. “We’re incredibly proud of the sound and emotional impact,” says Sannié. “To witness people hearing the product for the first time is incredibly moving—watching their faces speaks for itself. And that is the best achievement: When the product does it all, and you don't need to explain anything.”