Devialet, Cabasse, Pantheone… Choosing a high-end wireless speaker is about more than comparing spec sheets. The size of your room, the way you listen to music and your interior matter just as much as power.
At Liva, we listen to these speakers every day in our Brussels and Antwerp stores, and we advise our customers on these questions all the time.
In this guide, we have selected the 5 best high-end wireless speakers of 2026 to help you find the one that truly suits your needs.
In short: Our Selection
- For the living room: Devialet Phantom Ultimate, spectacular power in 98 or 108 dB.
- The design centrepiece: Pantheone I, 360° sound in a speaker conceived as a piece of architecture.
- The audiophile choice: Cabasse The Pearl Akoya, remarkable sonic precision that adapts to your room.
- For outdoors: Devialet Mania, splash-resistant, for the terrace, the garden or travel.
- From room to room: Pantheone Obsidian, 15 hours of battery life to take your music anywhere in the house.
Table of contents
Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, multiroom: what to know before you choose
Not all wireless speakers connect in the same way, and it makes a real difference to how they sound.
Bluetooth connects the speaker directly to your phone. Quick and easy, it’s ideal for a speaker that comes with you onto the terrace or on your travels, though the sound is slightly less refined.
Wi-Fi streams through your home network. Your music comes through in all its richness, with no dropouts: it’s the choice for discerning listeners.
Multiroom links several speakers together, so your music follows you from room to room.
The 4 things that matter when choosing a wireless speaker
Fixed or portable
A fixed speaker is all about listening quality in the living room. A portable speaker, thanks to its built-in battery, comes with you onto the terrace or on the go.
Room size matters more than power
More power doesn’t mean better sound. A small space calls for a well-balanced model, while a large living room needs a speaker that can fill it with ease.
How you listen to music
Some speakers focus on precision, others on a fuller, more immersive sound. It’s also worth checking that it works with Spotify, AirPlay or your TV.
How it fits into your home
Sculptural design or understated lines: a high-end speaker is on show every day. Its size and finish matter just as much as its performance.
Devialet Phantom Ultimate
With its instantly recognizable spherical shape, the Phantom Ultimate has become the benchmark for high-end wireless speakers.
Designed and manufactured in France, it is powered by Devialet’s ADH® technology, which combines the finesse of analog amplification with the power of digital technology to deliver precise, distortion-free sound.
Its two side-mounted bass drivers, which move in time with the music, deliver bass with surprising depth for its size.
98 dB or 108 dB: which one should you choose?
The 98 dB version (400 W, 18 Hz to 25 kHz) is ideal for a standard living room. The 108 dB version (1,100 W, down to 14 Hz in the bass) is designed for large, open spaces and for audiophiles who want to physically feel the music.
What we love
- Rich, powerful sound in a compact design
- Extensive compatibility: AirPlay, Google Cast, Spotify, Tidal, Qobuz, Roon, and Bluetooth
- The ability to pair two units in stereo or place them in multiple rooms
- Music, Movie, and Podcast modes, plus a Night mode to reduce bass
What to know before you buy
The Phantom needs a little space to perform at its best: ideally between 45 and 90 cm from the floor, and at least 30 cm from the wall. Mounts and the remote control are sold separately.
Pantheone I
The Pantheone I is designed as much as an architectural object as it is a speaker. Its sculptural silhouette and handcrafted finishes make it a true decorative piece.
In terms of sound, it delivers 360° audio through a set of omnidirectional speakers, complemented by a floor-facing subwoofer for deep, controlled bass.
The sound spreads evenly throughout the room, no matter where you are.
What we love
- A sculptural design that doubles as a decorative piece in its own right
- 360° sound distribution, allowing for greater flexibility in placement within the room—even in the center
- AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Amazon Music, Bluetooth, and voice control with Alexa
- The ability to pair it with the Obsidian for stereo listening or multi-room audio
What to know before you buy
Google Cast is not listed among its compatible services. On Android, music must therefore be streamed via Spotify Connect, Tidal, or Bluetooth.
Cabasse The Pearl Akoya
Designed and developed in Brittany, The Pearl Akoya packs Cabasse’s acoustic expertise into a compact format.
Its spherical shape isn’t just for looks: it minimizes unwanted reflections inside the speaker for a purer, more natural sound.
At the heart of the speaker, a tri-coaxial driver combines bass, midrange, and treble on a single axis, resulting in highly coherent sound. The system is powered by 1,050 W of amplification and a high-resolution DAC (24-bit / 192 kHz).
What we love
- Precise, natural sound that’s sure to please even the most discerning listeners
- Automatic calibration that adapts the sound to your room’s acoustics
- Spotify, Tidal, Deezer, Qobuz, Roon, and AirPlay 2, as well as voice control via Google Home or Alexa
- The ability to pair two units for stereo playback or place them in multiple rooms
What to know before you buy
The Pearl Akoya connects via Wi-Fi using the Cabasse Stream CONTROL app. This speaker is designed for home use, so check if you plan to connect a phone that doesn’t have Wi-Fi.
Devialet Mania
The Mania brings Devialet’s signature sound to a portable format. Its ASC (Active Stereo Calibration) technology analyzes its surroundings in real time and automatically adapts the sound to its environment.
Thanks to its “cross-stereo” architecture, it delivers true 360° stereo sound: no matter where you are around the speaker, the sound remains balanced. With bass extending down to 30 Hz, it offers surprisingly rich sound for its size.
What we love
- Up to 10 hours of battery life and a built-in handle so you can take it anywhere
- Splash-resistant (IPX4) for use both indoors and outdoors
- Wi-Fi at home and Bluetooth on the go, with AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, and Alexa
- Sound that automatically adapts to the room or outdoor space
What to know before you buy
The Mania is splash-resistant but not submersible: avoid leaving it out in the rain or by the pool. And while it fills a patio or living room very well, it doesn’t have the scale of a Phantom in a large living room. It’s an ideal supplemental speaker rather than a main speaker.
Pantheone Obsidian
Inspired by obsidian, a volcanic rock,the Obsidian stands out for its faceted lines and contemporary sculptural appearance.
It is handcrafted from a single block of high-density resin. This choice of material minimizes vibrations and unwanted resonance, resulting in a clear, precise, and perfectly controlled sound.
Inside, two full-range drivers and a passive bass radiator ensure a beautiful stereo image.
What we love
- A true design statement that catches the eye even when it’s not playing
- Up to 15 hours of battery life, so you can take it from room to room or leave it plugged in continuously
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, with AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Amazon Music, and built-in Alexa
- The ability to pair two units for stereo sound, or combine it with the Pantheone I for a multi-room system
What to know before you buy
Unlike the Devialet Mania, Pantheone does not list water resistance. The Obsidian is therefore better suited for use inside the home or on a covered patio than for a day by the pool.
In conclusion: Which high-end speaker should you choose?
Choosing a high-end wireless speaker is above all about finding the one that suits your space and the way you enjoy music.
For a living room where the sound needs to impress, the Devialet Phantom Ultimate remains the benchmark. If precision is your priority, the Cabasse The Pearl Akoya won’t disappoint. The Pantheone I is for those who want a speaker that also adds something to their interior. And for music that follows you everywhere, the Devialet Mania and the Pantheone Obsidian offer freedom with no compromise on quality.
Beyond the technical specifications, a speaker is chosen by ear. The best way to decide is to come and listen to them in our Brussels and Antwerp stores: our team will be happy to let you hear them and help you find the one that’s right for you.
FAQ
How do wireless speakers work?
A wireless speaker has everything it needs to play music: an amplifier, speakers, and a connection. It receives music from your phone, computer, or a streaming service via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. Just plug it into an outlet—or charge it, for portable models—and start playing.
Bluetooth or Wi-Fi: which should you choose?
Bluetooth is ideal for a portable speaker: it connects directly to your phone, without needing a network. Wi-Fi offers better sound quality, a more stable connection, and multi-room capabilities. For high-quality listening at home, opt for Wi-Fi. Most of the speakers in our selection actually combine both.
Does a wireless speaker sound worse than a wired speaker?
Not anymore, as long as you choose a high-end model and use it over Wi-Fi. Speakers like the Devialet Phantom Ultimate or the Cabasse The Pearl Akoya play high-resolution music—up to 24-bit/192 kHz—without any loss of quality. Bluetooth, on the other hand, still compresses the sound slightly.
Can a high-end wireless speaker replace a hi-fi system?
For most uses, yes. It combines the amplifier, speakers, and source into a single unit, taking up much less space. If you listen to vinyl or CDs, simply check the speaker’s connection options. For a more ambitious whole-home setup, a custom audio system remains the most comprehensive solution. Discover our audio system integration services.
How do you choose a speaker based on the size of your room?
In a medium-sized room, a compact, well-balanced model is more than enough—such as the Devialet Phantom Ultimate 98 dB. For a large, open living room, opt for a more powerful speaker, such as the Phantom Ultimate 108 dB, or for two speakers in a stereo setup. Ceiling height, materials, and furniture arrangement also affect sound quality.
Can I use two speakers in stereo or in multiple rooms?
Yes. The Devialet Phantom Ultimate, the Cabasse The Pearl Akoya, and the Pantheone Obsidian can be paired together for true stereo sound. Thanks to multiroom functionality (via AirPlay 2, Google Cast, or the brand’s app), you can also stream the same music throughout your home, or different music in each room.
How much does a high-end wireless speaker cost?
Expect to pay between €900 and just over €3,000 for the models in our selection, from the Devialet Mania to the Phantom Ultimate 108 dB. The price range reflects the power, built-in technologies, and build quality. Also keep in mind accessories, such as stands or wall mounts, which are often sold separately.
