Devialet recently launched their new product Phantom, bringing speakers to another level of experience. Aimee Yan talks to Martin Ku, the regional director of Devialet APAC

At the centre of Devialet’s expansion in Asia is Martin Ku, regional director of APAC. With over 15 years of experience across the premium lifestyle and tech industries, Ku has been instrumental in bringing the audio tech company’s distinctive French acoustics to a broader audience across the region. He tells #legend about the new launch product, the future of luxury audio, and what it means to “listen differently.”

What was the point that led you to join Devialet?

When I was first approached by Devialet, I actually didn’t know much about the brand. I even turned it down at first! But curiosity led me to visit one of their stores in Shanghai with my brother, who’s a musician. We listened to a few tracks, and within moments, we just looked at each other in disbelief. The sound was unlike anything we’d ever heard — powerful, precise, and deeply emotional. That experience convinced me. Later, when I learned about Devialet’s global investors, it became clear that this was something special. Seven years later, I’m still here. That first listening moment remains unforgettable.

What’s your personal favourite Devialet product and why?

I use our earphones every day, and the Dione soundbar is part of my nightly routine, but my heart goes to the Phantom II. I have two in my living room and one in the kitchen. For something so compact to deliver such expansive, cinema-level sound is remarkable. It fills a large space with ease, and without the need for a subwoofer. The design blends effortlessly into the room — understated yet sculptural. It reminds me why people fall in love with this brand in the first place.

People think of Devialet as one of the top brands in speaker industry. What does that positioning mean to you, and where do you embrace or challenge it?

It’s a flattering comparison, and I take it as an honour. For me, the connection lies in timelessness — in design, experience, and emotion. We aim to create products that remain modern and desirable even a decade later. Devialet’s strength lies not just in performance, but in the feeling it evokes — an emotional connection that endures. That’s what luxury should be about.

Can you tell us more about the new product that Devialet launching? What makes it so special?

The new Phantom Ultimate range represents the next chapter in our flagship line. When we first introduced Phantom ten years ago, it redefined what a speaker could do, something small yet incredibly powerful. With this new generation, we’ve reached the sound experience we imagined from the very beginning: purer, wider, and more dynamic.

The evolution goes beyond performance , it’s also about refinement. We’ve made precise adjustments to the form and proportions, changed internal structures for acoustic stability, and introduced new colours like Light Pearl and Deep Forest. Every detail matters. Even a subtle design line required a major internal redesign. That’s the level of craftsmanship we commit to, the small things that define true luxury.

How does French heritage, in design discipline and craftsmanship to show up in products like Phantom, Dione, Mania, and Gemini, and the new product?

There’s a deep respect for artistry in the French approach, an unwillingness to compromise between beauty and performance. One example is our partnership with the Paris Opera House. We’re the only brand to have a physical space inside the Opera, and our Opera Edition Phantoms are finished with genuine gold, the same artisans who restore the Opera’s interiors. Every piece is unique. That kind of craftsmanship and collaboration reflects the essence of French luxury, precision, patience, and pride in detail.

In luxury audio, design is as important as sound. How does Devialet merge aesthetics with cutting-edge technology?

The process begins with two goals: the sound experience we want to deliver, and the design we want to achieve. Most companies would compromise one for the other. We refuse to. It took two years just to define those goals, and another two years to realise them.

Take the Phantom’s shape, for example, it’s not only visually iconic but engineered for balance. The back-to-back bass drivers counteract each other’s vibrations, keeping the speaker perfectly stable even under intense pressure. Every design choice serves both form and function. That’s how we see innovation, not just new technology, but harmony between engineering and artistry.

Do you think sound can be a form of self-expression, just like fashion or art?

Absolutely. Sound is deeply personal. Our tagline, Alive with Sound, captures that idea. When you turn on a Devialet speaker, it feels alive, it breathes. But it also awakens something in the listener. The right sound can change how you feel, how you think, even how you see the world. It’s a form of expression that transcends words, just as powerful as art or fashion.

Are there categories beyond speakers and earbuds that you see Devialet moving into in the future?

We already collaborate with partners in various industries, like BYD for in-car audio, Hisense for projectors, and Saffron for first-class airline cabins. These projects let us bring our proprietary acoustic technology into different environments. We’ll continue to explore new categories, always where sound can elevate the experience. The focus remains the same: making every listening moment extraordinary.

What is the ultimate experience you hope every customer takes away when they encounter Devialet?

Discovery. That’s the word I’d use. Most people don’t realise how different sound can feel until they hear Devialet for the first time. It’s like rediscovering music you thought you already knew. Even my wife, who isn’t from a music background, now finds it hard to listen to anything else. That moment of discovery changes your perception of what sound can be.

If a reader remembers only one thing about Devialet after this interview, what do you want that feeling, or promise to be?

I’d say, close your eyes and listen. Music has the power to restore balance, to calm the mind, to make life a little better. In a world that’s constantly noisy and distracted, taking a moment to truly listen, to yourself, to the world, to a song, is a small act of peace. If Devialet can help people do that, then we’ve achieved our purpose.

Also see: Devialet: The two Phantom Ultimate high-fidelity speakers