Напольная акустика — Opera Loudspeakers Opera Quinta

The Opera Quinta is the larger floorstander of the Classica line from Opera Loudspeakers, the Italian company that forms part of the Unison Research group. The current Quinta v2 splits the band three ways and vents through two rear ports, developed for higher sensitivity and an easier load than earlier versions. In its V2 form the Classica line comprises two stand-mounts, two floorstanders and a centre channel.

Key specs that matter

Three bands are handled by drivers developed with Scan-Speak, using aluminium diaphragms for the woofers and midrange. Crossover frequencies are 250 Hz and 2.3 kHz. Frequency response is 30 Hz to 30 kHz, sensitivity is 91 dB and nominal impedance is 4 ohms. The earlier 2011 version was a sealed design with two 7 in aluminium woofers, a 7 in aluminium midrange and a Scan-Speak D26 tweeter, rated at 89 dB, measuring 110 x 24.5 x 43 cm and weighing 80 kg per pair.

Engineering and use context

The drivers were redesigned with Scan-Speak to combine extension, high sensitivity and low distortion, and the Danish manufacturer's aluminium membranes push their high-frequency break-up resonance well above the band they cover. The crossover uses Vishay non-inductive resistors and Mundorf capacitors, and it was designed to optimise phase response and reduce phase rotation, which makes the speaker less critical of the amplifier. The cabinet shape came from tests aimed at minimising reflections, particularly in the midrange. The interior has no parallel walls, and the dimensional ratios reduce standing waves. Opera measured the sound pressure radiated by each cabinet wall and optimised the enclosure until these emissions fell below average ambient noise. The driver seats on the front panel are shaped inside to limit reflections passing back through the cones. The rear reflex ports were designed to avoid turbulence at high power. The earlier sealed Quinta separated the woofer section in its own 40 litre volume, with the midrange isolated by high-density MDF walls, and used a 30 mm MDF cabinet covered in leather.

Pairing

With 91 dB sensitivity and phase-optimised crossover, the Quinta v2 suits valve amplifiers from Unison Research and transistor amplifiers alike. The rear ports need some space from the wall, and the speaker suits rooms of 20 to 35 m2.

Alternatives

Opera's Seconda is the smaller floorstander of the Classica line with a 2.5-way layout.