Полочная акустика — Pylon Audio Opal monitor

The Opal Monitor is a compact two-way monitor speaker belonging to the Opal series of Pylon Audio, a loudspeaker maker from Poland whose own brand appears on both drivers. The series also includes the Opal 30 mkII, Opal 23 mkII and Opal 20 models, the Opal Center, the Opal Sat and the Opal Sub, so the Monitor can be combined into a larger system. Pylon has since added compact mkII monitors to the line, among them the Opal Monitor 23 mkII, which is offered in a Natural Oak finish.

Key specs that matter

The bass-mid unit is a Pylon Audio PSW 18.8 CS with a paper diaphragm treated by an additional coating process, adapted for smaller enclosures, while high frequencies go to a Pylon PST T-50/8 tweeter with a 25 mm silk dome. Both drivers work in a bass-reflex enclosure. Frequency response is 45 Hz to 20 kHz at plus or minus 3 dB, with an efficiency of 86 dB at 1 W and 1 m and a nominal impedance of 8 ohm. Power handling is 60 W nominal and 100 W maximum. Each speaker measures 190 x 400 x 280 mm and weighs 7.5 kg.

Engineering and use context

Pylon builds the enclosure walls from 18 mm board, while the front baffle is thickened to 22 mm so that the driver-carrying panel resonates less. Reinforcements are added at the structurally sensitive points of the cabinet to increase stiffness. Magnets hold the grille in place, so the front stays free of fixings once it is removed. Pylon lists three PVC veneer finishes, Black Ash, Walnut and Wenge. The maker specifies the Monitor for rooms of 12 to 20 m2, which places it in small and medium living spaces or studies rather than large open-plan rooms. A dedicated stand is offered separately, measuring 190 x 500 x 380 mm and weighing around 4 kg per unit at a price of EUR 356, and its footprint matches the width of the speaker, so on this stand the top of the cabinet sits 900 mm above the floor. A fabric covering is available as an option.

Pairing

Most stereo amplifiers handle this nominal impedance without strain, while the modest efficiency means that an amplifier able to cover the nominal power handling per channel will make better use of the speaker than a low-powered valve design. Combined with the Opal Center and Opal Sub, the pair can form the front of a compact home cinema system in the same finish.

Alternatives

The Pylon Audio Opal Monitor 18 mkII is the newer compact stand-mount in the Opal line, fitted with new drivers.