In this article we’re looking at the Devialet Gemini II, the latest TWS of the famous French brand. It is selling for €399 USD.
Disclaimer: The Devialet Gemini II were bought by myself to do this review. Devialet is not linked to Headfonia in any way.
About Devialet
Unless you were stuck in a cave for the last ten years, you must be have heard or read the name of Devialet at least once. A French company getting out of nowhere, releasing a sleek high-end amplifier advertised as an ultra-high-end killer, only to release an alien-looking speakers a few years later : the Devialet Phantom.
A bombastic speaker – namely « implosive sounding – which became an instant hit all around the world, reproducing what Monster did a while ago with the Beats by Dre – now Beats by Apple though : an innovative product, advertised almost everywhere as the future of sound, with a price high enough to intrigue both low and high end users, for opposite reasons though.
So much that nowadays, whether if you like or despise Devialet has become irrelevant: you know the name! And, to be completely honest, even if I was not convinced at first, I do own a few Phantom II in my house now – and most of the time, they are pretty convincing.
But, like Apple or Sonos, and unlike FiiO or SMSL, Devialet isn’t the kind of brand with an extensive catalog. In fact, since the Phantom, the company only released three other products: the Dione, a high-end home-theater soundbar integrating the same technologies found in the Phantom; the Mania, a portable speaker offering quite a powerful sound on the go; and the Devialet Gemini II, a TWS designed to compete with the AirPods Pro 2, Sennheiser Momentum Wireless and every other premium TWS.
A new version fixing all and every flaws that the previous model may have shown at the time, for just €50 more. Better than my AirPods Pro 2 and Momentum True Wireless 4? Time to find out?
Design & Build Quality
Shell
Straight out of the box, the Devialet Gemini II remains – to my eyes – one of the most balanced design in the TWS world.
In stark contrast with the ubiquitous designs usually seen on all the “AirPods-like-TWS” seen on the market – think long tail – the rounded shape of their white polycarbonate shells give them a more universal appeal. A design choice that brings the Gemini closer in aesthetic to the Sennheiser Momentum TWS and Sony WF-1000XM5 – even if I’m still a bit pushed back by those one – something that I personally prefer, despite my love for Apple’s TWS.
Allegedly 40% smaller, the ne model still boasts the same refined look, displaying the brand’s logo on its outer side, topped by a microphone grill subtly integrated into the upper part of the faceplate – lovely. Look on the other hand and you’ll find a proximity sensor and another mic, nicely concealed when the ears are worn, away from prying eyes. The inner side also features four metallic dots, used for charging the Gemini II when fitted in its case, for a seamless integration.
As for the charging case, it has undergone a similar reduction in size and weight. Gone are the sliding panel and aluminium casing; the Gemini II’s case is now crafted from a simpler plastic. This change makes the case more portable, though it sacrifices some of the previous model’s luxury. However, given my previous critiques regarding the case’s size and weight, it seems only fair to commend the design team for this effective slimming down.
Build quality
Built like a tank, the Devialet Gemini II are, like their predecessor, one of the sturdiest TWS I’ve owned up to this day.
Sure they won’t compete with metallic IEM like the FiiO, but in comparison with the the AirPods 2 the plastic used really feel like a sturdy one, easily overthrowing the AirPods in that regards. On that, I’d place them at the same level as the the Sennheiser Momentum True 4 Wireless, perfect if you’re the kind of listener who constantly let them fall when picking them out of the box.
I lost them quite a few times while removing them from my ears and, surprisingly, they survived the concrete, the wood, the tiles and even the mud – Brussels weather. Thankfully, with an IPX4 certification, you can wash them, but not immerse them. Of course, if you were to step on them, they might immediately break, but all acrylic/plastic IEMs will.
Same can’t be said about the charging box though. If much more aesthetically pleasing than the previous one with the two-tone design, in hand the new model doesn’t give you that mighty impervious sensation you had with the first gen case. Unfortunately though, this new model can’t apply for the 3 year Devialet Care, previously available for the 1st gen model – so be careful.
Last but not least, as everything should be nowadays, the Gemini case comes with an USB-C port for charging, and even QI support.
The article continues on Page two, after the click here, or after the jump
Page 1: About the brand, design and build quality
Page 2: Comfort, usage
Page 3: Specifications, Bundle
Page 4: Sound performances
H1a8
They are too expensive for most people. The battery will degrade over time and they will become useless. For on the go listening you better off going with option 1:
A great $200-$250 iems (Chopin, Quintet, Aful performer5, etc) with the fiio utws5. You can eq them with the fiio app if you want (the Quintet will sound better than $400 iems (such as my Hype 4) if you increase 60Hz band by 3-4dB with Q= 0.7 to 0.9, lower the 8kHz band by 4dB with Q= 0.9 to 1.2, and increase the 16kHz band by 3-4dB with Q= 0.7 to 0.9)
Option 2
Either
the status between 3anc (use status between pro mode with anc on)
or
the Technics Az80 (use dynamic mode) as they are 92% and 95% (respectively) to the sound quality of the Gemini 2 while being significantly cheaper. 99.999% will be MORE satisfied than they originally assumed before the purchase.
patbea
Would you test the Fairbuds from Fairphone ? 10/10 for sustainability on Ifixit…
Lieven
Probably not, but never say never