On January 27, the French audio company Devialet announced two new finishes for its Devialet Gemini II earbuds, adding “Light Pearl” and “Deep Forest” to a product line that already includes a 24-karat gold-plated version priced at $699. This comes at a time when premium wireless earbuds are facing increasing pressure from competitors offering similar features at lower price points.
The standard finishes will retail for $499, competing with Apple’s AirPods Pro and Sony’s WF-1000XM5, which typically sell for less. Founded in 2007 by engineers who left Nortel’s research division, Devialet has built a reputation for high-end audio equipment, yet it remains a relatively small player compared to consumer electronics giants.
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| 🎧 Product: True wireless premium earbuds with ANC and aptX support 🎨 New colors: Light Pearl & Deep Forest (January 2025) 💰 Price: $499 (standard), $699 (Opéra de Paris Edition) 🔋 Battery life: 8h (ANC on), 22h with charging case 🔇 ANC: Adaptive Noise Cancellation, no neutral/off mode 📡 Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.2, Qi wireless charging 🆚 Main competitors: Apple AirPods Pro, Sony WF-1000XM5, Bose 🎭 Brand strategy: Luxury positioning reinforced by Opéra de Paris partnership |
How new colors reinforce devialet’s luxury positioning
“Light Pearl” draws inspiration from ceramic textures and was first introduced alongside the company’s Phantom Ultimate speaker. “Deep Forest” presents a darker alternative with subtle green undertones. The company also offers the Opéra de Paris edition, which was created in partnership with the French cultural institution in 2017.
Devialet frames the new colors as an expansion of choice for audiophiles and design-conscious consumers. The physical form factor remains unchanged from the version launched in September 2023, which was a revision of the original Gemini model.
The earbuds maintain their compact shape and come with four sizes of silicone tips. They also come with a charging case that provides up to 22 hours of total battery life. The case supports Qi wireless charging, a standard feature among most premium earbuds.
Technical performance: strengths, omissions, and user criticism
Reviews of the Gemini II have highlighted its strong noise cancellation capabilities, yet they have also raised questions about certain design choices. The earbuds use what Devialet calls Adaptive Noise Cancellation, which adjusts based on how the earbud sits in the ear.
One Reddit user praised the ANC but noted a significant omission: the absence of a neutral mode that disables both the noise-canceling and transparency features. Users must choose between full ANC and full transparency; there is no option to turn both off. For a product at this price point, the absence of a basic feature found in many cheaper alternatives raises questions about the company’s product development priorities.
The earbuds have 10mm titanium-coated drivers and support Qualcomm’s aptX codec for higher-quality Bluetooth audio. Devialet also includes bone conduction sensors for voice calls and Active Wind Reduction technology.
With ANC enabled, battery life reaches eight hours, placing the Gemini II near the middle of the pack for premium earbuds. The charging case extends total usage to 22 hours, though competitors like the Galaxy Buds series from Samsung often exceed these figures.
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Can sound quality still justify the price?
Since its founding, Devialet has positioned itself within the luxury audio segment. The company raised 15 million euros in initial funding to develop its ADH (Analog Digital Hybrid) amplification technology, which powers its speakers.
However, translating that premium positioning to the wireless earbud market presents challenges. While the company’s speakers can command prices exceeding $3,000, the wireless earbud market has become increasingly commoditized. Features that once justified premium pricing, such as effective ANC, wireless charging, and water resistance, now appear across products at various price tiers.
The $499 price tag for the standard Gemini II places it above most mainstream options but below some ultra-premium offerings from boutique audio brands. The company must convince consumers that its acoustic engineering justifies the higher price compared to products from Sony, Bose, and Apple, which have larger marketing budgets and more extensive retail presences.
Reviews suggest that the Gemini II delivers on sound quality. One reviewer described the audio signature as neutral and balanced, with controlled bass and a wide soundstage for wireless earbuds. Another reviewer noted that the earbuds excel at resolving fine details that competitors miss.
However, sound quality alone may not justify the price difference for many consumers. The average listener using streaming services compressed at 256 kbps may have difficulty discerning meaningful differences between earbuds at different price points.
Opéra de Paris partnership
The partnership with the Opéra national de Paris has given Devialet a cultural positioning that few audio companies can match. The collaboration began in 2017 and now extends across the company’s product range, including gold-plated speakers, headphones, and earbuds.
The 24-karat gold finish on the Opéra Edition Gemini II carries a $200 premium over standard versions. Devialet states that the proceeds support the opera house’s activities, though the company has not disclosed the percentage of sales that goes to the institution.
To promote the new color launches, Devialet and the Opéra de Paris have created an immersive experience at the Palais Garnier. Participants wearing Gemini II earbuds will tour the empty opera house before dawn, guided by an exclusive soundtrack. The experience culminates in a performance by dancer Caroline Osmond in the Studio Zambelli rehearsal space.
The tour costs €39 per person and requires advance booking through Devialet’s website. The limited availability suggests that the event functions primarily as a marketing activation rather than a revenue generator.
Challenges in a saturated wireless earbuds market
The wireless earbud market has matured significantly since Apple introduced the AirPods in 2016. Global shipments exceeded 400 million units in 2025, and the market is dominated by a few large manufacturers.
Devialet’s strategy of releasing new colors for an existing product rather than introducing updated hardware or new features suggests that the company sees limited room for technical improvement at this price point. The Gemini II uses Bluetooth 5.2, while some competitors have moved on to Bluetooth 5.3, which offers enhanced connectivity features.
The IPX4 water resistance rating offered by the Gemini II provides basic protection against sweat and splashes, but falls short of the IP ratings offered by earbuds designed for athletic use. This positions the Gemini II primarily for casual listening rather than active lifestyles.
It remains unclear whether consumers will respond to new color options without accompanying technical updates. While the wireless earbud market has shown that color variety can drive incremental sales, sustained growth typically requires feature improvements or price reductions.
Devialet maintains its position as a premium brand focused on acoustic performance. The new “Light Pearl” and “Deep Forest” finishes offer more options to consumers who are considering the Gemini II. However, in an increasingly competitive market, luxury branding and color options alone may not be enough without continued technical innovation.