We get hands on with the new Fendi x Devialet speaker to see if it sounds as good as it looks
Any self-respecting audiophile will impart the following tip to those looking to get into the hobby of hi-fidelity audio: proceed with caution. There is little glamour in obsessing over the latest audio systems and gear, spending hours comparing codecs, formats, frequencies and bitrates, just to achieve a barely noticeable improvement in audio quality.
So, when speakers like the Fendi x Devialet Mania come around, they are welcomed with open arms. That’s not to say the technologies driving this portable speaker are staid; they are just presented in a way that lets listeners escape the mire of technical specifications and focus solely on the truly fun part of the hobby—the enjoyment of music.
How it Looks
It needs to be said that other than its new Fendi ‘FF canvas’ exterior, the portable speaker is practically the same as the original 2022 Devialet Mania. If you prefer function over form, that may not sound like much. We, however, find that the rotund speaker’s embroidered coat, decorated with a striking brown, tobacco and gold colourway, adds incredible value to the overall package. The appearance elevates the original’s hyper modern look into something you’d more than love to show off at a house party.
Coming in at a little over 2kg, the speaker is too hefty to carry to the beach—although the models lugging it at the Fendi Autumn/Winter 2024 menswear runway in Milan show that you can make it work with a bit of muscle and lots of persistence. As a gorgeous addition to the living area or bedroom, however, the speaker is more than up to the task.
First Listen
Connecting to the Mania is convenient: simply turn on the device and connect via Airplay, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or Spotify Connect. The connecting time (around 15 to 25 seconds) can take a little longer than other portable speakers on the market, but it isn’t long enough to feel bothersome.
The first thing you’ll notice is that the speaker delivers pleasantly warm audio—the music sounds like it’s coming from a record playing on a turntable rather than a digital file. While considerable colour in the audio can deter those looking for ‘as the artist intended’ sound, we find the warmth refreshingly fun. It abates listening fatigue while providing a little more oomph to mid- to low frequencies.
Speaking of low frequencies, the Mania delivers incredible bass. Songs like 50 Cent’s In Da Club and Billie Eilish’s Bad Guy sound booming and ominous, with powerful bass that pound through the speaker’s four full-range drivers and two woofers. Couple this with the speaker’s ability to reach volumes as high as 95 decibels, and you have a portable device that will get everyone in the room on their feet.
Mid-to-high frequencies also sound good on the Mania, providing a high degree of separation and clarity that makes various instruments easily discernible, even in songs with complex arrangements like Runaway by Kanye West. That said, the speaker lacks a certain ‘airiness’ on the high ends, resulting in songs like Adele’s Hello and Post Malone’s I Fall Apart wanting of the emotional gravitas that make them memorable.
Most impressive, however, is the Mania’s Active Stereo Calibration technology which uses four microphones and real-time adaptive technology to optimise sound depending on the surroundings. Whether you place it on a shelf in the office or on a table in the living room, the Mania will adapt to deliver a clean and enveloping soundstage. The technology is subtle and worthy of appreciation—especially if you’re an audiophile who now has one fewer thing to worry about.
