The Devialet Gemini 2 is considered by most, the VERY BEST of the BEST that bluetooth has to offer for Sound quality. If you needed reference, it’s basically the Pi8 sound with a little more muscle. Basically, the Gemini 2 hits harder in Bass and dynamics over the Pi8 by about .2 or 3%. For this reason, I didn’t feel right about including the Denon or Bose. They truly were a level below these two which were so close to each other by a small margin. Ironically, this same small percentage of advantage existed also in the overall battery life with 22 hours vs. 20 hours, another small bump(along with the ability to charge much faster). Unfortunately, these small additions add up for an extra $100( $499) in most sites you can buy the Gemini 2 from. The best place I’ve seen to get them new from at a $50 deduction( $450) was SSense.com. They even got me them in two days of FedEx delivery. My Unboxing below.
Other than that you can try Ebay on slightly used models for about $350, which is great if you can trust the seller. Either way you pick, you will be getting what most people consider to be the Very Best sound in the world of bluetooth. And this is something I truly doubted but now that I have it, it didn’t take long to see why people put them over the Pi8, which I just didn’t think was possible. They basically maintain that balance and beauty that the Pi8 has but gives an every so slightly kick in the bass and dynamics without loosing details. In fact, The word “Devialet” is build with the characters of the german words. “viel Detail”, what means in english “much details“.
Beyond that the obvious is in your face, clearly. It’s stunning. For me, it’s the most luxorious Bluetooth earphone I’ve ever had. And this is saying a lot coming from the Pi8’s, who held that title prior. And to take that title from them took a lot, and I only have the white and silver model, not the $700 Gold model. That’s right I said $700. Devialet thinks very highly of themselves. I’m just glad, as a rare event, that this was not just a pretty face. The earphones have no issues with the app, no issue with stutters, no drop outs, not crackling of issues with keeping your music running smoothly. It also has Muti connection, good venting, and app that allows you customize your touch controls( that actually respond in real time unlike the delay you get with the pi8s). And wait for it! You sitting down! Has the best phone call quality I’ve heard today while still delivering on ANC, unlike the Pi8s. I mean, you can make the argument that they just proved why they want $500 if you believe that the Pi8’s are worth $400.
So if this is the case, pun intended:), what does the Pi8 bring to the table? The Case Re-transmision options! I know most people won’t believe me if they haven’t experienced this for themselves. But Jason Bourne( my nickname for the Pi8) ability to play any source lossless through the case is flat out a game changer and is easily a 1 of 1 feature not found anywhere in the world today in bluetooth. This one feature takes back the crown for overall sound quality because as good as the Devialet Gemini 2 is, they aren’t as good as the Pi8’s being transmitted to from a apple laptop or something into high bit rates and lossless quality. It’s just not deflatable. So you can easily see why someone might just say to themselves that if this is the only place I can find this feature, then I’m staying. The Pi8’s also are the most comfortable and has the smallest footprint of any bluetooth I’ve tried. They are just as steady in their connection and they have more battery life on a single charge with 6.5 hours vs only 5 on the Gemini and again cost $100 cheaper.
Basically, this is a choice that will split a great many people. I don’t think it’s a clear direction for ALL people. Especially with both products playing in the same expensive round table. If you spend $400, you most likely can justify $500. So then it comes down to what you truly are looking for and how much one advantage means to you over the others. This is what makes things like this so difficult to nail down a true winner for all people vs just myself.
Keys to Consider :
- Sound Quality
- Comfort
- Battery
- ANC
- Phone
- App
- Features
Then you have to consider how much these things mean and if this order actually applies to you and your life and needs. For you, phone call quality might be last on your list. Or ANC could be. I just don’t know which everyone will want. So all I can do is speak for myself and hope some of what I say makes sense and connects with you or some of your needs and wants.
For me, one thing is for sure is that the Pi8’s aren’t going anywhere. The transmission option is killer. I also love the minimalist feel and look to them over the Gemini’s look. They are less obvious. I also have investment in the Headphone of the Px7se by Bowers and Wilkins to match my Pi8’s. And despite my complaints on the battery life of 13 hours on the case and how long they take to charge, I have to say I like the 6.5 hours over the 5 hours. After that, I just feel like I’m making a choice between perfection and perfection+ in sound options not related to the transmission case, which just doesn’t really rank as important. But I do love the Controls, Phone Quality, and ANC on the Gemini 2’s. And when you add that on top of the better sound, a little high-quality look, then it’s a little more like icing on the cake. But then you come with the $500, and things show up a little more challenging.
Objectively:
But to help everyone understand one thing…and that is if you are just looking for the best sound quality period from the blutooth itself…it’s the Devialet Gemini 2. It’s not questionable or challengeable. In fact, it’s one of the most certain facts about this whole consideration. The case transmission isn’t promised to adapt to all people, something I can’t really use that a reason like flatout earphone to earphone comparison without gimmicks.
The 2nd factor is the price cost between the two. Not debatable, the Pi8 are less and prove to give more for its price than the Gemini 2 if the transmission case is a thing for you. And even if it’s not, an extra $100 is still too much for bluetooth earphones in most people’s minds.
Comfort is close, but the edge goes to the Gemini 2. Battery life could go either way, ANC, and phone calls might not mean much to you. So this is why I believe sound and price might be the biggest things. Touch controls for me are big, but again, they might not mean much to you. So when I look at things, the Devialet Gemini 2 is the overall Winner for me but only as a add on because I can’t see myself getting rid of my PI8’s. But there is no doubt that the only thing I would take over the Devialet objectively is the transmission case feature and maybe the 6.5 hours of battery life, but the 5 hours is all I need. So again, to round off things, the Gemini 2 is the best sound quality, highest quality, better anc, better touch controls, better phone quality, and faster battery charging times and overall hours. But you may differ.
Tech-N-Things 