Object Desire: Devialet Dione Soundbar Review

Key Specifications:

• Dolby Atmos & Dolby Digital Support
• 5.1.2-Channel Configuration
• Up to 950W of Total Power
• 9 Full-range Aluminium Drivers
• 8 Long-throw Aluminium Subwoofers
• AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Bluetooth 5.0, UPnP
• Built-In Wi-Fi & Ethernet Connectivity
• HDMI eARC & Optical Inputs
• Devialet App Control

The Dione is the debut soundbar from the French audio brand Devialet. Given the company's talent in developing eccentric audiophile products, they decided to take a risky route with the Dione, producing a Dolby Atmos-ready new soundbar all-in-one, which does not need any help from surround speakers or subwoofers. Unlike most standard soundbars, Devialet is elevating the form with a lavish design and high-minded concept that promises to convince customers that just because they want a simple, single TV speaker does not mean they cannot do so in style.

The Dione is a 12-kg, 77mm-high, 1.2m-long, black-grey or tan-gold, acoustic bar, with 17 neodymium drivers within its enclosure, including two units firing upwards for Dolby Atmos. Despite being the debut soundbar at Devialet, the Devialet Dione uses its claimed power output of 950W, clever acoustic engineering and the number of channels to impressive effect, producing a huge, yet also wonderfully constructed and balanced soundstage, underpinned by perhaps the best bass presentation we have heard from a soundbar without an external subwoofer.

There is a real width to Dione's audio, and although upward-firing drivers will never trick you into thinking you have speakers on top of you, the height that the soundbar can produce with an appropriate soundtrack is remarkable. The upward-firing speakers are loud and focused enough, whether you use the speaker on your TV table or a wall, to give you a genuine sense of height for Dolby Atmos mixes.

The clever, and rotating, central orb centre channel delivers crystal-clear dialogue. The Dione delivers glorious, immersive surround sound for movies and TV, and it's great for music too - a statement we seldom attest to with soundbars. Devialet has earned itself a solid reputation within the audio industry already due to its willingness to build on novel design concepts while striving for better audio performance, and the products in question have successfully extended that reputation to the home cinema arena.

Devialet DIONE True All-In-One Soundbar

From THB 95,990 | HKD 21,990 | PHP TBC | SGD 3,790

In Summary: The Dione is a stunning, premium Dolby Atmos soundbar debut by French brand Devialet. Its unique design has proven itself as an exceptional example of attractive form contributing to exceptional performance, but the asking price could place it out of reach for many.