Sound QualityThe Devialet Mania has very good overall sound quality - although it has some noticeable sonic quirks, this model reproduces music and dialog very well. Bass has good impact and goes deep, but is a bit prominent and boomy. Midrange is fairly even, but is a bit hazy, grainy, and etched. Treble is fairly extended, but is a bit prominent, smeared, sizzly, and dry. Does a so-so job of recovering room ambience and is a bit constricted and congested. There is no significant difference between WiFi and Bluetooth sound quality. It provides a decent listening volume for a medium sized room, however it distorts at higher volume levels.
Versatility
Versatility is decent. It's a stereo speaker, with multi-room support with other Devialet speakers. Wireless: WiFi supports dual-band and it has Bluetooth. Communications: Lacks support for calling, texting and messaging features. Digital Assistant Muting: Has a dedicated control to disable the digital assistant by muting its microphones. Audio Connections: Lacks analog audio inputs and outputs. OS Support: iOS and Android. Other connections and features: None. Display: Lacks a display. Streaming by voice command: Supports voice command of common streaming services such as Amazon Music, Spotify, Tune-In, iHeart Radio. Voice ID: Lacks support to setup voice identity using this speaker, although it can use a voice print stored in a user's Amazon account trained from an Amazon speaker. This feature allows the account holder to access personal information with their voice print.
Ease of Use
Overall ease of use of the Devialet Mania is very good. Wireless setup: Setup requires an app downloaded to a device or device connection, easy and intuitive - need instructions (may be included in app), may or may not involve inputting WiFi network password, account setups. Console controls: The unit has low contrast volume control buttons labeled (+/-) on the side of the console. Lacks index markings for volume levels, and does not provide any indication when max volume is reached. Volume level can be determined via Alexa voice command request. Audio mute: Poor labeling (Black/Black), well placed, lacking indication when engaged. Microphone mute: Unlabeled, well placed, with indication when it is engaged. Source selections: Requires app to be installed, app installation is straight forward. Once app is installed switching between inputs requires selecting the -cast- icon in a 3rd party supported app. Fairly intuitive but subject to 3rd Party implementation of cast selection. App remote: Volume control is well labeled and prominent with graphical position marking and persistent numerical marking. It can control all inputs. Mute: (Remote) Well marked, well placed, clear indication when it is engaged and mutes the line input. Voice transport controls: Natural language control of transport (Play/Pause/Skip/Mute), volume controls and source selection was easy and intuitive.
