La Boema is a floorstanding loudspeaker in the XN Series from Xavian, the Czech speaker maker, created by founder Robert Barletta as a personal tribute to the Czech Republic to mark the company's 30 years. Its design draws on earlier Xavian models including the XN 225, Integrale and Virtuosa. Every pair is made only after an order is placed, and the Czech price starts at CZK 299,990 per pair, rising to about CZK 315,000 for certain veneers.
Key specs that matter
All three drivers in La Boema are sourced from Scan-Speak in Denmark. A 222 mm bass unit uses a special paper cone with a curvilinear profile, a 180 mm midrange has a hand-impregnated paper cone, and a 29 mm tweeter pairs an impregnated textile dome with a neodymium motor. Crossover points sit at 290 Hz and 2,450 Hz. Xavian quotes a response of 44 Hz to 40 kHz at minus 3 dB, a sensitivity of 85 dB at 2.83 V and 1 m, and a nominal impedance of 8 ohm. The recommended amplifier range is 30 to 300 W, and each speaker weighs 50 kg. The cabinet itself is 280 mm wide and 350 mm deep, and the base widens this footprint to 360 x 500 mm.
Engineering and use context
The enclosure uses no reflex port. It is a closed box divided into two sealed chambers. It is made of MDF with an internal bracing system, and three complementary damping materials, bituminous sheets among them, are used against parasitic resonances. The front baffle is 57 mm thick. In the crossover Xavian uses tape inductors from Mundorf and Jantzen together with copper-foil capacitors. Three pairs of gold-plated Xavian terminals on the back allow single wiring, tri-wiring or tri-amping with separate channels for bass, midrange and treble. Veneers are chosen per order from natural woods such as Indian rosewood, sapelli pomele and ziricote. Stainless steel stands with lockable anti-vibration pads made by a Slovak specialist are offered for an extra CZK 60,000.
Pairing
An efficiency of 85 dB calls for an amplifier with real power reserves for a room around 20 m2 rather than a low-powered design. Tri-amping also allows an active crossover to replace the passive network if an owner prefers, and owners with several stereo or mono power amplifiers can use the triple terminal set to drive each section from its own channel.
Alternatives
The Virtuosa Anniversario is another floorstanding model in the Xavian catalogue, priced from CZK 499,990 per pair.