Devialet , the French company at the intersection of audio engineering and luxury, is known for its egg-shaped Phantom speakers , but the company’s first product was in fact an audio amplifier that you could connect to stand-alone speakers. After releasing soundbars , portable speakers , wireless earbuds , the venture-backed company is now going back to its roots with a new amplifier — the Devialet Astra. “With these new technologies, you’re in the sound.
This used to be reserved to professional studios, but now you can have it at home,” Devialet’s newly appointed CEO, Jacques Demont, said at a press conference. However, chances are you’re not going to spot an Astra at your friend’s home anytime soon. Devialet’s amplifier remains a luxury item, with the base model retailing at €16,000 (around $17,300 at today’s exchange rates).
The new product comes just a few days after French business magazine Challenges reported that Devialet was short on cash. Over the past few years, in addition to traditional equity rounds, Devialet has secured debt facilities, and according to Challenges, the company is trying to find an agreement with its main creditors to raise a new round and pay back some of its creditors. Coming back to the product, the Devialet Astra is relatively thin for an audio amplifier.
It has a brushed aluminum casing with an art deco-inspired lined design around the edges, and features a small rounded screen on the top. You also get a wireless remote.