The future of sound goes beyond the listening experience, says Jacques Demont, CEO of pioneering French audio engineering house, Devialet
The sound quality was never in doubt. Inside the unambiguously named Listening Room at Devialet’s new flagship store at Grand Hyatt Singapore—a cosy, cushioned space lined with the French company’s top-shelf speakers, channelling audio signals through its latest Astra integrated amplifier—we put Daft Punk’s Get Lucky through its paces, followed by Bach’s Concerto for Two Violins, played on a Stradivarius for extra effect.
The music, even to untrained ears, sounded exceptionally crisp and balanced. The mix of high and low frequencies was just right, and the three-dimensional soundscapes (“sound staging” in audiophile-speak) were deeply immersive. Close your eyes and you could tune in to any instrument you wished—it would be there, teasing out intricate melodies that invite you to really listen and genuinely enjoy the music.
“That’s why people need to get into the ‘cube’,” says Devialet’s CEO, Jacques Demont, referring to the Listening Room, which he has affectionately christened. “When people experience the Devialet sound, that’s half the job done. Whether it’s to their taste or not, they’ll remember they heard the music differently.”
And visitors to the new 1,870 sq ft boutique are welcome to explore their favourite tracks at full leisure and volume. Whether within the confines of the Listening Room or while testing Devialet’s full range—including the iconic Phantom speakers, Dione soundbars, and Gemini II true wireless earbuds—in the minimalist yet elegantly appointed retail space, a fresh perspective on listening is all but guaranteed.
“It’s about bringing the right experience to the right location,” says Demont, reiterating that the boutique isn’t simply a showcase for hardware. It’s a place to tap into what Devialet calls “the emotional power of sound.”
For a brand with roots in high-end audio engineering, Devialet understands how to tug at the heartstrings. Its proprietary Analogue Digital Hybrid (ADH) technology continues to underpin every product—delighting audiophiles and impressing casual listeners alike. But just as importantly, Devialet has woven aesthetic sophistication and a sense of modern luxury into its offerings, drawing in devotees of art, design, and fashion.
Its elliptical Phantom speaker—equal parts objet d’art and sci-fi sculpture—has become a bona fide design icon. Meanwhile, Devialet’s diverse collaborations, from Fendi to Huawei, keep the brand firmly at the intersection of style and technology.
“One of our most important partnerships is with the Opéra de Paris, for which we produce a special-edition range of our products. We’re also the only brand in the world with a store there. That’s significant for us—it introduces us to a different clientele, equally passionate about design and innovation,” says Demont. “When we collaborate, it’s about finding another brand that shares the same vision—one that values quality, innovation, and perfection.”
