Opera Quinta SE Speakers (Each)

Opera Loudspeakers Quinta SE

The Opera Quinta SE is the updated version of the 2011 model. It remains a three-way floorstanding loudspeaker, now featuring a new midrange and tweeter, improved reflex loading, and increased sensitivity.

Drivers

The custom 7" woofers, designed by Scanspeak for the Classica series, feature rigid aluminum diaphragms, 38 mm voice coils with CCWA wire, and aluminum formers. These are housed in a specially designed magnetic gap and supported by a die-cast basket for added stiffness. A metal ring around the pole piece stabilizes magnetic flux. These woofers deliver accurate low-frequency reproduction with minimal distortion. Two woofers operate in parallel within a 40-liter chamber.

The midrange driver is a newly developed 7" custom component by SEAS. Its membrane is made from annealed polypropylene and features an ABS phase plug to eliminate resonance from a traditional dust cap. The oversized voice coil ensures that only the most linear part of its movement is used, greatly reducing intermodulation distortion. A rear chamber filled with a thick, pyramid-shaped polyurethane layer functions as an effective acoustic trap, contributing to the speaker’s consistent and clear sound.

For high frequencies, the Quinta SE uses the Scanspeak 9700 tweeter, found in Opera’s flagship models such as the Caruso, Malibran, and Thebes. It features a treated soft dome, decompression chamber, aluminum flange, and extended linear excursion. The frequency response reaches 30 kHz, while its low resonance frequency of approximately 500 Hz ensures immunity from cabinet vibrations. The tweeter is mounted on a dense 40 mm MDF front panel for further isolation.

Crossover

The crossover employs a cascade configuration similar to that used in Opera’s high-end Tebaldi and Caruso models. It is split across two boards, placed apart to reduce mutual inductance between coils. The high-pass sections for the midrange and tweeter are engineered to minimize microphonic effects, which are often overlooked in speaker design.

All capacitors in the signal path are carefully selected for their sonic performance, ensuring a stable center image and a precise soundstage.

Cabinet

The cabinet includes two rear-firing reflex ports, which can be sealed if desired to replicate the low-frequency behavior of the earlier Quinta 2011. The front panel, made of 40 mm MDF, has rounded edges and is covered in leather, providing both aesthetic appeal and a tight seal for the drivers. The cabinet sides are finished in real wood veneer and are highly polished. Internal bracing enhances structural rigidity.

The speaker is supported by heavy-duty iron bars that accommodate either spikes or wheels. Four gold-plated brass connectors allow for bi-wiring. These connectors are standard across Opera’s entire range and accept all common termination types, ensuring a secure and efficient connection.

System Integration

The Opera Quinta SE is well-suited for use as both front and rear speakers in home theater systems. With two pairs, a full surround system can be created without the need for a center channel or subwoofer. The electrical impedance has been carefully managed to make the speaker less sensitive to cable and amplifier variations. With a nominal impedance of 4 ohms, it complies with DIN 45500 standards and can be driven by any amplifier rated for a 4-ohm load, whether tube or solid-state.

Conclusion

Though part of the Classica series, the new Quinta SE represents a significant step up in both sound quality and value. With deep bass extension, strong dynamics, a refined midrange, and high-frequency performance in line with Opera’s top-tier models, the Quinta SE is a true full-range loudspeaker. It delivers large-scale sound while remaining easy to position in most rooms, making it a compelling option for both audiophiles and home theater enthusiasts.