Devialet Dione Review: The First Soundbar An Audiophile Will Actually Want In Their Living Room

“It's becoming more and more apparent as I visit friends and family that a soundbar is becoming more of a staple in homes, and not just an accessory for movies. These have become the communal jukebox in most homes.” 

Soundbars Are Now Essential—And the Devialet Dione Soundbar Proves Why

When I'm watching a movie or TV, the soundbar is an afterthought, or should I say was. The truth is that most people have one, and when they buy it, they plug it in, use it, and then forget it, until it breaks and needs to be replaced. Then you go to the store and buy another fast food version of a bar with speakers and a separate little plywood box they call a subwoofer. I've never given them much thought, even after hearing the “incredible” soundbars. I always think, “Well, that was neat”, but I'm not moved by it. It seems like a compromise in terms of space, which is what a soundbar is ultimately designed for. But it should at least be a decent compromise.

The Dione is none of those things. This soundbar is built like it will outlast your house, and sounds like the engineers at Devialet were trying to convince you to sell your stereo. What Devialet has achieved here in the Dione is nothing short of incredible. They have made it possible to have an immersive movie experience, with truly deep bass, incredible room placement for sound effects, and pinpoint accuracy for vocal delivery. This is all in one piece, one box, one elegantly designed soundbar, so we will call it that, but they really should invent another word for what this is. Who is this company, and why did it take a soundbar to get my attention? 

Who Is Devialet? The Legacy Behind the Devialet Speaker

Founded in 2007 in France by Pierre-Emmanuel Calmel, Quentin Sannié, and Emmanuel Nardin, Devialet was built around the idea that amplification could be better in every regard. The company began with Calmel’s invention of ADH (Analog Digital Hybrid) technology three years earlier—a breakthrough at the heart of its designs.

While they are most known for the Devialet Phantom Speakers, which lie at the brand's core, they have always been an amplification company. Its proprietary ADH amplification, which seamlessly blends the naturalness of analog with the precision of digital, was the foundation of its success and continues to define its approach to high-performance audio.

Devialet brings its knowledge of amplification and speakers into Dione’s design, delivering immersive, high-fidelity sound wrapped in a sleek, minimalist design. With a relentless drive for innovation, the brand continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in premium home audio.

Revolutionary Tech & Elegant Design: Devialet Difference

The Devialet Dione is a high-end all-in-one soundbar that delivers an immersive, cinematic audio experience. Built with Devialet’s signature ADH amplification and SAM technology, it offers truly deep bass, crystal-clear dialogue, and an accurate sense of space—all without the need for a separate subwoofer. Featuring Dolby Atmos and a sleek, minimalist design, the Dione blends cutting-edge engineering with effortless elegance and has audiophiles finally adding soundbars to their TV setups.

Sleek, Solid, and Smart: Design That Matches the Sound

The Dione was designed for movies and music, but also meant to solve a problem. The problem, for most people, is simple: they want it all. They want an explosion on the screen to be an explosion in the room. They want to pinpoint accurate vocals, great music, and all that. But… they also need it to look good. Part of that is not having a separate subwoofer, which can be awkward to find a suitable home for in the room. The thing they need is for it to be easy to use. The Dione addresses these concerns with its simple setup process and intuitive controls. I hate fiddling with apps and stuff that won't connect. I will quit and throw it in the trash. So, like most people, I want it all and I want it to be easy. 

Finally, a Soundbar That Belongs in Your Living Room

I can't bring home another ugly box and expect to put it in the living room. Not just because of my wife, I don't want to see that stuff after the initial excitement has worn off. We have had a couple of other soundbars over the years, some of which sounded okay-ish, but all of them looked horrible. You spend all this time creating a nice living room space, with pictures, furniture, and, hell, even the TV companies are doing their part in making screens as small and unobtrusive as possible.

Not the soundbar world. They always seem to be some mash-up of plastic and accent metal buttons, some have an attempt at gill cloth, and almost always come with a little brother. A little box painted black that bumps, and depending on where you place that in the room, it may sound like a subwoofer, but most of the time it's just a bump box. This goes right square in the middle of your communal living space, and right in view of ... well, everything. Your whole living room is likely pointing towards your TV and the soundbar.

The Dione has addressed some of these issues, but the first thing is having this all in one box, which is actually attractive. I hate to simplify it, but that checks a lot of boxes for me, as I’m sure it does for a lot of others.

Whether you opt for the White and Leaf Gold version or a more understated, grey and black model, the Dione features a very nice design that helps integrate it better into your space, rather than your space revolving around the soundbar and TV. This soundbar has curves. The soft dip in the middle of the bar, designed to accommodate the orbital tweeter, allows for a nice break in the typical square design, breaking up the lines without being too outlandish or distracting. This reasonably large soundbar sits nicely under the bottom of most TVs, on a shelf, or mounted. It actually lines up perfectly edge to edge under a 55” TV for reference. 

All 17 drivers and 950 watts of amplification are housed in one Billite aluminum case. 47.5” wide, 6.7” deep and only 3.5” high. Each speaker is in a reactive housing and covered with a removable gill cloth (this comes in handy when cleaning). Depending on the placement, the cables have a clear path out of the back or underside of the soundbar, making it possible to run thicker cables.

Big Sound, Small Footprint: Built for Any Room

This soundbar is designed to work in a wide range of spaces. Not only can it be mounted to the wall or placed on a shelf, but it can also be used as a decorative accent. The bass capabilities make an outboard subwoofer unnecessary.

The orbital tweeter and room calibration make it easy to place. When placing it on a wall, you can simply turn the tweeter around on the unit and mount it using the included mounting guide. Then, in the app, you can change the position to wall or shelf and run room calibration, so the Dione can ensure that all imaging and room placement are pinpoint accurate. Best of all, you are no longer tasked with finding a home for an outboard subwoofer and getting it all set up. 

Connectivity Made Easy: From E-ARC to AirPlay

Connecting is easy. Once connected and set up, you can control the volume with your TV remote or via the app. The app provides incredible access to features and settings, as well as touch controls on top of the unit. You can also connect via Apple AirPlay and Roon, among many other apps. For example, when using something like Roon, I simply select the Dione as the output device, hit play, and we're off. Easy as I could ask for. 

There was a period when I first got the Dione, where connectivity was dropping out via E-arc. This was a known issue; I did not have to report it. Devialet was working on a fix and followed through with an update. This was almost a year ago, and I've had no issues since. The only reason I bring this up is that I was impressed by such a niche issue and how quickly Devialet addressed it. Beyond that, whether using Bluetooth, ethernet, streaming music, or movies, all connections are solid, work consistently, and can be controlled intuitively.

Sound & Performance: Not Just Another Soundbar

Now, for the fun part: what does Dione sound like? Let's talk about the overall sound performance for movies and music.

Cinematic Clarity: Voices You Can Feel and Place

Voices and speech are the first things you notice while watching TV and movies. Dialogue is clear, and Dione represents human tonality incredibly well. Vocals are not only tonally accurate, but you can easily place them in the room. If someone is talking in the room to the left or right, you can pinpoint that immediately and differentiate multiple voices simultaneously. I was especially surprised, particularly in loud scenes or scenes with a lot going on, at how easily I could pick out speech that was still clearly audible. 

Bass That Hits Hard—No Subwoofer Needed

Bass is one of Dione's most impressive attributes. It has an incredible effect on helping flesh out voices and all other sounds we listen to, not just the boom. Devialet has considered this and ensured that bass is a significant focus of the overall design rather than the typical little box that companies call a sub, but that is just an afterthought.

There are drivers and watts to support bass delivery that'll absolutely floor you, and honestly, you'll forget you're using a soundbar. I cannot tell you how many movies my wife and I have watched where the bass has shocked me. Movies have bass everywhere, when it's right in the room, it helps with placing things on the screen. Whether it’s a flock of dinosaurs running across a field in Jurassic Park, or King Kong making his way towards you through the jungle from miles away, scenes are more convincing and more effective at building tension.

Not Just for Movies: A Soundbar That Sings

We don't have room in our living room for a stereo, I'm married. However, Dione has serious listening covered in spades. You can connect in many ways, whether wired or wireless, but most importantly, I would point out that you can connect via Roon and Apple AirPlay. Music is delightful to listen to on the Dione, and the ease of connection is part of that. Most importantly, and I stress this, because it is so easy to connect and use, my wife connects and listens to her music and playlists separately. This sounds trivial, but I'm sure she doesn't want my listening to change, any more than I want to start seeing Neil Diamond pop up in my playlist because we are sharing the same app. No need, it's as simple as pulling up your preferred music app on your phone and connecting to the Dione. 

You can also use movie, music, or spatial mode. I find that using Spatial Audio sounds the best. The music setting is okay, but it felt too focused and limiting, whereas the spatial audio setting sounded incredibly open and fun. The best way I can describe it is that the vocals emanate from the center, while most of the music and soundstage originate from behind and around the soundbar. You can easily pick out instruments and vocals, and the separation of instruments is pinpoint accurate. Bass is solid, present, energetic, and surprisingly clean while still incredibly powerful.

Most soundbars rely on gimmicks—plastic construction, flashy “smart” features, and a separate, compact subwoofer box. Dione skips the nonsense. It’s one solid piece of aluminum that hits harder than any bar I’ve heard. Compared to something like the Sonos Arc or even the Sennheiser Ambeo, the Dione just feels more intentional. The bass is deeper, the soundstage is more lifelike, and the design appears to be at home in your living room.

Why Soundbars Like the Dione Are the New Living Room Jukebox

It is still far from a true Hi-Fi two-channel listening experience—look to the Phantoms for that. What it offers in terms of music listening is truly impressive, making it a great solution for shared spaces. As I visit friends and family, it's becoming increasingly apparent that a soundbar is becoming a more common staple in homes, not just an accessory for movies. These have become the communal jukebox in most homes. 

I say that to emphasize that soundbars have found a role beyond TV and Movies in more and more homes over the last decade. They can check many boxes for space, convenience, and the room's look. The Dione considered all of these factors, and when combined with the amplification and an incredibly well-designed case, you have the best soundbar currently on the market.

Final Verdict: Devialet Dione Raises the Bar—Literally

The Dione has filled a role in my house that I didn't know I needed. We have increasingly started using it for music, TV, and movies. Of all the soundbars I've seen or heard, the Dione is the only one that applies the level of focus on design, aesthetics, and overall sound that I now expect. They have set the “bar” high. If you want a soundbar that works harder to blend into your space visually while changing your space sonically, the Dione is it. It is the only one I have experienced that accomplishes both of those goals.

I will leave off by saying this. Every once in a while, I will get curious and turn off the soundbar to see how much it's actually doing for simple TV shows, no explosions, etc. I am shocked at how much weight leaves the room. Voices alone sound flat and lifeless, and it's much harder to pick apart when several things happen at once. But most importantly, the emotion and connection are gone. I don't say this flippantly. We interpret emotions and energy as occurring in the mid and bass frequencies. This is where realness starts to evolve. When that is not supported, and you just hear this through your flatscreen speakers, the “weight” and coloration are not there. 

The Dione has spoiled me, in that it's tough to watch without it now, and feel any level of immersion in what I'm watching. It feels like I'm back in the 90s, watching TV on a floor mat. And honestly, I've enjoyed listening to music more and more with my wife in the living room. The Dione will be a fixture in our home for some time to come. 

Under the Hood: Full Features and Tech Breakdown

• Frequency response: 24-21,000 Hz
• Powered 5.1.2-channel sound bar featuring support for Dolby Atmos
• 17 built-in speakers deliver immersive sound (950 watts total power)
• 9 full-range aluminum drivers with neodymium magnets dedicated to the high end
• 8 aluminum long-throw woofers with neodymium magnets for true sub bass. 
• Devialet ORB® spherical center speaker adjusts to the sound bar's position
• Award-winning ADH® (Analog Digital Hybrid) amplification system
• powerful, intelligent digital signal processor for clean, accurate sound
• embedded DAC (digital-to-analog converter) supports high-resolution playback up to 24-bit/96kHz resolution
• SPACE® audio technology up-mixes mono and stereo to 5.1.2-channel surround sound
• SAM® (Speaker Active Matching) faithfully reproduces the same sound pressure levels of your music's original recording
• AVL® dynamic equalization delivers smooth sound with music and TV or movie soundtracks

Soundbar Specification Comparisons 

Feature	Devialet Dione	B&O Beosound Stage	Sennheiser AMBEO Max	Sonos Ultimate Immersive Set with Arc Ultra
Audio Channels	5.1.2 Virtual surround sound	3.0 with Dolby Atmos processing	5.1.4 Virtual surround sound	7.1.4 (Arc Ultra + Sub 4 + 2x Era 300)
Driver Configuration	17 drivers: 9 full-range aluminum drivers, 8 long-throw subwoofers	11 drivers: 4x 4” woofers, 4x 1.5” full-range, 3x 0.75” tweeters	13 drivers: 6x 4” woofers, 5x 1” tweeters, 2x 3.5” top-firing full-range drivers	Arc Ultra: 11 drivers; Era 300: 6 drivers each; Sub 4: dual force-canceling woofers
Power Output	950W total	550W total (11x 50W amplifiers)	500W peak	Not specified; designed for room-filling sound
Frequency Response	24Hz – 21kHz	32Hz – 22kHz	30Hz – 20kHz	Not specified
Max SPL (Loudness)	101 dB SPL @1m	100 dB SPL @1m	Not specified	Not specified
Connectivity	HDMI eARC, Optical, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect	HDMI eARC, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2, AirPlay 2, Chromecast	3x HDMI inputs, 1x HDMI eARC output, Optical, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Chromecast	HDMI eARC, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect
Dimensions (W x H x D)	47.2” x 3.5” x 6.5” (1200mm x 88mm x 165mm)	43.3” x 6.7” x 3.0” (1100mm x 170mm x 77mm)	49.8” x 5.3” x 6.7” (1265mm x 135mm x 171mm)	Arc Ultra: 45” x 3.4” x 4.5” (1143mm x 87mm x 114mm); Sub 4: 15.8” x 15.8” x 6.2” (402mm x 402mm x 158mm); Era 300: 6.3” x 10.2” x 7.3” (160mm x 260mm x 185mm)
Weight	26.5 lbs (12 kg)	17.4 lbs (7.9 kg)	40.8 lbs (18.5 kg)	13.8 lbs (6.3 kg); Sub 4: 36.3 lbs (16.5 kg); Era 300: 9.9 lbs (4.5 kg) each
Price (USD)	$2,400 – $2,999	$2,300 – $2,900	$2,499	$2,296 – $2,696

Dione at a Glance

Pros

• Outstanding audio clarity & bass response
• Premium build with a unique ORB speaker
• AirPlay 2 & multi-room compatibility
• Auto room calibration for optimized sound

Cons

• No HDMI passthrough  
• No remote control included  
• No DTS X or voice assistant support
• Expensive compared to feature-rich competitors

Frequently Asked Questions About the Devialet Dione

Does the Devialet Dione soundbar require a Subwoofer?

No, you cannot connect a separate subwoofer.

The Dione does not require a subwoofer. It was designed to deliver deep bass and place that bass correctly in the room.

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Can I place the Devialet Dione soundbar on a surface, or must it be wall-mounted?

Either option is possible with the Dione.

Whether mounted on the wall or sitting on a surface under your TV, the Orbital tweeter can be adjusted, and room correction can be enacted to ensure optimal placement. 

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Is there a remote I can use with the Devialet Dione soundbar?

You can purchase a physical remote separately.

Although there is a remote that is sold separately, all functions are available on the Devialet app, including room correction. You can also control this via external apps, such as Roon. 

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Can you listen to music on the Devialet Dione soundbar?

Yes. Absolutely!

The Dione will connect via many apps, the most used being Apple AirPlay and Roon.