OPERA CALLAS SPECIAL EDITION PADOUK

Two-way bookshelf speaker system designed to deliver balanced sound reproduction, even in relatively small listening spaces. Its design combines a compact cabinet with a carefully selected range of drivers and electronic components, developed to provide an extended frequency response, well-controlled bass and natural midrange reproduction, one of the model's defining characteristics.

The cabinet is handcrafted using MDF and curved plywood, with an internal volume of 14 litres and particularly thick walls, reaching 50 mm at the front panel. This construction helps minimise cabinet vibrations and resonances. The internal layout is also designed to reduce acoustic interference, while two layers of expanded polyurethane foam positioned behind the woofer, with a combined thickness of 20 cm, help damp internal reflections, enhancing the naturalness and definition of the midrange.

The acoustic configuration features a Scanspeak 9700 tweeter, without ferrofluid and equipped with a double decompression chamber, paired with a 7-inch long-throw woofer manufactured by Seas to Opera's specifications. The latter features a treated polypropylene cone, rubber surround and a magnet assembly optimised with copper rings. The rear bass-reflex loading completes the configuration, helping extend low-frequency response while maintaining good control. Integration between the two drivers is handled by a two-way crossover, refined through listening sessions and built using Mundorf capacitors, MOX resistors and OFC copper inductors. Both the low-pass and high-pass sections feature second-order filters and are kept separate, also allowing bi-amplification.

A switch on the speaker allows adjustment of the vocal range response, providing a 2 dB increase within the 300–3,000 Hz frequency range. This feature makes it possible to adapt the speaker's output to the characteristics of the room and individual listening preferences, without changing the system's overall configuration.

The Special Edition also features several construction updates and carefully selected materials. The cabinet is finished in Padouk veneer, a wood characterised by its coral-red colour, which gradually develops into more subdued shades over time. The top panel incorporates a 5 mm aluminium plate engraved with the model name, while the rear panel features a redesigned connection plate, also made of aluminium. Internal wiring uses AudioQuest LGC (Long-Grain Copper) conductors, featuring a semi-solid concentric construction and a 16 AWG gauge. These are selected to minimise interactions between conductors and preserve signal integrity along the connection between the crossover and the drivers.

The rear bass-reflex port is designed to minimise the influence of the wall behind the speakers, allowing them to be positioned approximately 5 cm from the rear wall. This provides considerable installation flexibility, making them suitable for dedicated stands, bookshelves or furniture, provided that the tweeter is positioned at ear level. The design also takes nearfield listening into account, with an optimal listening distance starting at approximately 1.5 metres.

With a sensitivity of 89 dB and a nominal impedance of 4 Ohms, the speakers can be paired with amplifiers rated from 10 W upwards, while their maximum power handling reaches 100 W. The specified frequency response extends from 40 Hz to 25 kHz, and the weight of 15 kg per speaker contributes to the overall solidity of the construction.

Technical Specifications

• Type: Two-way bookshelf speaker; rear bass reflex
• Finish: Padouk
• Tweeter: 1 x 25 mm Scanspeak 9700, without ferrofluid, with double decompression chamber
• Woofer: 1 x 178 mm Seas long-throw woofer, treated polypropylene cone, phase plug
• Crossover Frequency: Approx. 2,000 Hz
• Frequency Response: 40–25,000 Hz (-3 dB)
• Sensitivity: 89 dB (2.83 V / 1 m)
• Nominal Impedance: 4 Ohms
• Minimum Impedance: 3 Ohms
• Maximum Power Handling: 100 W (without clipping)
• Recommended Amplifier Power: From 10 W
• Crossover: Second-order low-pass and high-pass filters; bi-amplification capability; Mundorf capacitors, MOX resistors and OFC copper inductors
• Adjustments: Vocal range adjustment switch (+2 dB between 300 and 3,000 Hz)
• Internal Wiring: AudioQuest LGC long-grain copper, semi-solid concentric construction, 16 AWG
• Positioning: Minimum distance from rear wall 5 cm; distance between speakers 1.5–3 m; angled towards the listening position
• Dimensions (H x W x D): 420 x 245 x 420 mm
• Weight: 15 kg per speaker