Opera Speakers

[Redbone]

Awhile back I read an article in Stereophile about an obsessed Italian speaker maker. Stereophile was impressed with the quality of workmanship and materials and loved the audiophile sound.

It was a very interesting article and I want to know if anyone can point me in a direction as to where these speakers can be viewed or purchased?

 

[JoeE SP9]

I believe you are referring to Sonus Faber speakers. High prices with gorgeous woodwork.

 

[Redbone]

Nope the name of the company was Opera and it was founded by a former Italian police officer. He uses very exotic woods and the best custom drivers. I hear they are supposed to be incredible and in the same range as Vienna Acoustics and Dynaudio. The full article was in a recent issue of Stereophile. Don't know if the speakers have made it stateside yet though?

 

[burntaegis]

http://www.operaloudspeakers.com/

 

[Redbone]

Thank you sir

 

[Polkfan]

Muy elegante!

 

[JoeE SP9]

Checked the site. Very nice looking. How do they sound? As always listen before you leap.

 

[Redbone]

Stereophile say they are incredible speakers. Opera makes all their own drivers and hand makes the cabinets. According to the interview with the owner and the article the speakers are nothing short of spectacular.

Wish they had a price list though. I think they are around $3000 for floorstanders and up.

 

[nova]

Not sure on all the prices but the Quinta towers are $2995 and the Callas bookshelf are $2795

 

[Redbone]

Thanks-

The feeling I got from reading the article was that they were definately as good if not better than Vienna's, Dynaudio and others in that range but not quite up to Focal Electra Berryllium series.

 

[mutki]

I currently use Opera SP3 floorstanders for mains ($3000) - upgraded from the Super Pavarottis - and Opera minis ($700) for surrounds. Gorgeous speakers that work great with all types of music except arena rock and rap. Drivers work seamlessly - high quality crossover components. Great imaging & soundstage. Very comparable to Sonus Faber sound at 70% of the price. All of my friends have favorable comments on the speakers, the woodwork is just that good. Opera is underrated in the states, but the European press knows the brand well. Highly recommended.

 

[Redbone]

No rap or arena rock. There goes my biggy smalls and Journey discs>

 

[Rip Van Woofer]

I understand they sound great on Verdi, Puccini and "spaghetti westerns", but lousy on Mahler, Wagner, and Ahh-nold flicks.

 

[goodman]

Rossini is superb, Bizet not so hot, and Chianti goes real good. As always,you should definitely listen before buying. Sam Tellig is a very entertaining writer, but he was really feted at the Opera factory and could be biased. Also, he is an advocate of single-ended triode amplifiers, which makes his opinions suspect.