Three wireless heavyweights go head-to-head in the battle for premium audio supremacy. Discover how design, sound and ecosystem integration set them apart for audiophiles and design-conscious listeners alike.
Audiophile-grade sound was once the exclusive realm of wired systems, meticulously assembled through amplifiers, DACs and precision-matched loudspeakers connected by heavy-gauge cables. Today, that paradigm is being upended by a new generation of wireless speaker ecosystems, self-contained masterpieces that fuse acoustic engineering, design artistry and digital intelligence.
At the top of this movement stand three extraordinary contenders: the Bowers & Wilkins Formation Duos, the Devialet Phantom Ultimate 108 dB Custom Pair and the Bang & Olufsen Beolab 18 Pair. Each represents a distinct philosophy of what modern high-end audio should be: one rooted in heritage, another in technological audacity and the third in design-driven luxury.
Design philosophies
Before sound even enters the conversation, these speakers tell their stories through design.
The Bowers & Wilkins Formation Duos channel classic British restraint. With the brand’s signature “tweeter-on-top” architecture borrowed from its studio-grade 800 Series, they look and feel like serious hi-fi components reimagined for the wireless era. Every curve and contour exists to improve dispersion, imaging and acoustic clarity.
In contrast, the Devialet Phantom Ultimate 108 dB looks like it belongs in a modern art museum. Its ovoid, futuristic form, complete with lateral pulsating woofers, is both sculptural and purposeful. The design reflects Devialet’s radical vision: that ultimate fidelity can coexist with revolutionary aesthetics.
The Bang & Olufsen Beolab 18, however, tread an entirely different path. Their slim aluminium towers, accented with customisable wooden lamellas, evoke Scandinavian minimalism at its most refined. They disappear elegantly into interiors while adding architectural texture, a favourite among clients who prize sonic excellence and design harmony in equal measure.
Together, these designs articulate three philosophies: B&W speaks of purity and precision, Devialet of innovation and audacity and B&O of elegance and integration.
Acoustic engineering and sound signatures
Visual beauty aside, it’s under the hood where these systems truly diverge.
The Formation Duos are quintessentially Bowers & Wilkins, clean, balanced and revealing. Their Continuum cone mid-bass drivers and Carbon Dome tweeters, inherited from B&W’s top-tier models, deliver exquisite detail and tonal neutrality. They are engineered for critical listeners who value accuracy over embellishment.
The Phantom Ultimate 108 dB takes an entirely different approach. Powered by Devialet’s proprietary ADH (Analogue Digital Hybrid) amplification and SAM (Speaker Active Matching) technology, each unit produces breathtaking dynamic range with almost zero distortion. The sheer physicality of the bass, dense, deep and tangible, sets a new benchmark for what a compact wireless system can achieve.
The Beolab 18 completes the trio with a presentation that’s spacious, inviting and immersive. Thanks to B&O’s Acoustic Lens Technology, they disperse sound evenly across a wide arc, filling rooms with balanced, room-friendly audio. Their tuning is deliberately musical rather than analytical, ideal for social listening, ambient spaces or elegant living environments.
Where B&W delivers studio-grade precision, Devialet brings visceral energy and B&O provides architectural ambience.
Wireless ecosystems and connectivity
Wireless is not merely a convenience, it defines how each ecosystem interacts with the rest of your environment.
The B&W Formation network employs a proprietary mesh system capable of streaming 96kHz/24-bit high-resolution audio with negligible latency. Its stability and synchronisation are superb, though the ecosystem is intentionally closed, best experienced with other B&W Formation products.
Devialet’s Phantom Ultimate embraces flexibility. Supporting AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Roon Ready certification and UPnP, it slots easily into mixed-brand setups. Devialet’s control app offers granular customisation, appealing to the technically inclined listener who appreciates total control.
Bang & Olufsen’s Beolab 18 take an open and lifestyle-centric approach. With Chromecast built-in, AirPlay 2 and Beolink Multiroom, they integrate effortlessly into multiroom and smart home ecosystems. For architects and designers, this flexibility makes them a seamless addition to integrated control environments.
If B&W’s Formation feels like a high-performance sports car, Devialet’s Phantom behaves like a hypercar built for customisation and B&O’s Beolab remains the grand tourer, versatile, elegant and effortlessly integrated.
Amplification and technology innovations
Each system represents a distinct engineering lineage.
The Formation Duos rely on refined Class D amplification, optimally matched to their bespoke drivers. The focus is continuity, bringing B&W’s acoustic expertise into the wireless domain without compromise.
The Phantom Ultimate 108 dB, however, redefines the boundaries of amplification. Devialet’s ADH architecture fuses analog warmth with digital precision, while SAM continuously calibrates the drivers for linearity across frequencies. The result: breathtaking clarity and control even at punishing output levels. AVL (Adaptive Volume Level) further maintains tonal balance regardless of listening volume.
The Beolab 18 employ advanced DSP processing and Acoustic Lens Technology to achieve even dispersion and consistent performance across varied environments. Their technical restraint belies remarkable sophistication, every element is designed to enhance naturalness and spatial coherence.
These three approaches, heritage refinement, radical innovation and architectural precision, reflect not just engineering differences, but philosophies of how sound should live in a space.
Performance in stereo and scaling across spaces
Wireless speakers often rise or fall on their ability to scale.
The Formation Duos excel as true stereo performers, rivaling traditional wired systems in imaging and coherence. Their sweet spot is in dedicated listening spaces where careful placement can be achieved.
The Phantom Ultimate 108 dB pair creates an overwhelming wall of sound, marrying pinpoint control with immense physical presence. They thrive in open, high-ceilinged environments and excel equally at music and cinematic playback.
The Beolab 18s offer unmatched installation flexibility, wall-mounted, floor-standing or integrated into multiroom setups. Their slim form makes them ideal for modern interiors where audio must coexist with architecture.
Smart features and control
User experience varies subtly across these ecosystems.
B&W’s Formation app is functional and reliable, focusing on simplicity over advanced tweaking.
Devialet’s app delivers deeper configurability, including firmware updates, synchronisation control and custom EQ.
B&O’s app is the most lifestyle-oriented: clean, intuitive and designed to control multiple B&O products across rooms.
Where B&W appeals to purists, Devialet caters to power users and B&O prioritises ease and elegance.
Installation and practicality
In real-world environments, usability often determines long-term satisfaction.
The Formation Duos perform best on dedicated stands and require careful placement for optimal imaging.
The Phantom Ultimate 108 dB is more flexible, usable on tabletops, stands or wall mounts, but needs breathing space for its side-firing woofers.
The Beolab 18s are the most adaptable: equally comfortable as floor-standing pieces or wall-mounted installations that blend seamlessly into architectural lines.
For integrators, that last trait often makes B&O the go-to choice for visually sensitive environments.
Which one suits whom
For dedicated listening rooms, the B&W Formation Duos offer the closest experience to traditional audiophile systems.
For cinematic or high-energy spaces, the Devialet Phantom Ultimate 108 dB pair delivers breathtaking power and immersion.
For design-conscious environments, the Bang & Olufsen Beolab 18 pairs elegance with effortless integration.
| Feature |
B&W Formation Duo |
Devialet Phantom Ultimate 108 dB | B&O Beolab 18 |
|
Design Language |
Classic hi-fi elegance | Futuristic sculptural form | Scandinavian minimalism with wood/aluminium |
| Sound Signature | Analytical, balanced, pure | Powerful, dynamic, bass-driven | Airy, immersive, lifestyle-tuned |
| Connectivity | Proprietary Formation mesh, AirPlay 2, Roon | AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Roon, UPnP | Chromecast, AirPlay 2, Beolink Multiroom |
| Amplification | Class D, B&W-engineered drivers | ADH hybrid + SAM + AVL | DSP + Acoustic Lens Tech |
| Placement Flexibility | Stand-mounted, precise positioning | Flexible, needs woofer clearance | Wall or floor-mount options |
| Ideal For | Critical listening spaces | Immersive music & cinematic sound | Design-integrated multiroom audio |
Verdict: choosing the right champion
In this wireless ecosystem war, victory depends less on specifications and more on intent.
If your goal is studio-grade precision, the B&W Formation Duos stand as the most faithful to traditional hi-fi ideals.
If you crave impact, scale and innovation, the Devialet Phantom Ultimate 108 dB delivers a visceral experience few can rival.
And if you value architectural elegance and seamless living-space integration, the Bang & Olufsen Beolab 18 remains unmatched.
The truth is, these systems aren’t competitors, they’re parallel expressions of excellence, each appealing to a different listener archetype. Choosing between them isn’t about better or worse; it’s about discovering which sonic philosophy aligns with you.
FAQs
-
Are wireless hi-fi speakers as good as wired systems?
Today’s premium wireless ecosystems rival many wired systems in fidelity and dynamic range, though wired setups still offer more upgrade flexibility. -
Can these systems be part of a home theatre setup?
Yes, but integration varies. Devialet and B&O support multiroom and AV sync more fluidly, while B&W Formation is primarily tuned for pure music playback. -
Which works best for Roon or Apple users?
B&W and Devialet are both Roon Ready; all three support AirPlay 2. B&O’s inclusion of Chromecast adds cross-platform convenience. -
Do wireless speakers suffer from latency issues?
Modern systems minimise latency effectively. Devialet and B&O handle AV synchronisation particularly well, ensuring lip-sync accuracy for movies. -
How do these compare with Sonos or KEF LS50 Wireless II?
Sonos prioritises simplicity and ecosystem breadth, while KEF offers remarkable clarity. The three models compared here operate in a higher luxury and design echelon.
Whether you’re building a serious Hi-Res setup or simply looking to upgrade your everyday listening, Ooberpad helps you choose the right DACs, headphones, AVRs and speakers to feel every detail. Explore our carefully curated collection and hear the difference for yourself.
