Opera Loudspeakers Grand Callas, Current Flagship in High Gloss Walnut, Dipole, Like New

Selling my Opera Grand Callas 2014 speakers. Original owner purchased from authorized Opera dealer, in high gloss walnut finish. Speakers are in perfect condition, no flaws that I can see anywhere. Solid curved walnut side panels, full black leather front and rear and thick glass top. These are some of the nicest looking speakers I’ve ever had in my last 25 years. Offers performance that competes with speakers costing $20k, with excellent dynamics, bass impact and extension, smooth, warm and transparent midrange and highs. Imaging routinely extends to outside the speakers and vocals are reproduced with life like scale, precision and size. Uses Seas and Scan-speak drivers including custom 7” midrange. Even though this is a larger floor standing speaker the design allows for near field listening, as close as 1.5meter.
Comes with all original packaging, metal base with outriggers, spikes, foam plugs to tune the ports, manuals and rear bass EQ switch to allow for room tuning. Similar sound (and look) to Sonus Faber but more resolution and transparency in mids and highs.

Retail for $13,000. Conservatively rated 9/10.

Please note my photos show a lot of reflections due to the high gloss finish and any highlights are not scratches or blemishes, but only light reflections.

Please note the description on the Opera site is incorrect and is swapped with the smaller 2 way Callas model, and the performance specs are incomplete. You will need to look at the 2 way Callas description found here: http://www.operaloudspeakers.com/en/collections/callas-line/callas.html

From Opera’s description:
This design uses two 8” long-throw woofers, a 7" annealed polypropylene midrange and a 1" Scanspeak 9700 tweeter. The diffuser is complemented by a rear radiation system that uses two tweeters configured as a natural dipole.

It’s obvious we wanted to keep the best features of both the previous Grand Callas and Tebaldi models in order to offer high-quality sound in a flexible loudspeaker system that is easily adaptable to all environments. In addition, we needed to continue the tradition of the Grand Callas aesthetically pleasing design that’s also a particularly good value for the money.

The back radiation system uses two tweeters that are connected as a natural dipole. The performance of this dipole is virtually indistinguishable from the triplet used on previous Grand Callas. The rear radiation pattern feeds the reflected field without interfering with the direct sound while preserving the accuracy of the transient response. The rear radiation balances the power response and increases what we call “brilliance," a quality related to the perception of sound details. Improving the perception of detail also means improving the perception of "space."

The front panel of the cabinet of the new Grand Callas was shaped to make near-field listening possible, even when the listener is only a meter and a half from the loudspeakers. That’s because the Grand Callas is truly flexible and adaptable to various situations such as when reverberation time is not particularly low. The other feature that contributes to the flexible is the ability to modify the response of the low frequencies with a flick of a simple switch.

You can also choose to block the reflex ducts, which gives you four possible configurations for the Grand Callas. The occlusion of the ducts could be necessary when the speaker needs to be placed close to room corners. This allows the listener to place the speakers in the room and then find a better frequency response by adjusting the ducts and using the switch, as opposed to trying to find the right room placement and positioning in advance. You can also adjust the speakers with two different responses when, for example, you need to place one speaker closer to the wall than the other.

The Grand Callas 2014 produces a sound stage that expands effortlessly in three dimensions, with an excellent impulse response. The power, dynamics and extension at low frequencies is among our finest achievements.

Available in Mahogany & Walnut Finishes.

Specifications:
3 Way Speaker
Frequency Response: 32 -25000 Hz

Cross-over Frequencies: 200 , 2000 Hz (approx.)
Max Power (long period): 240 Watt (without clipping) for musical program
Max Power (Short period): 500 Watt (without clipping) 
Amplifier: Starting from 10 Watt RMS
Sensitivity: 89 dB/2.83 Volt/1 meter
Nominal Impedance: 4 ohm (Zin >3 ohm)
Front Firing Loudspeakers: 2 x 8” long-throw woofers, 1 x 7” midrange with polypropylene  cone and phase plug. 1 x 1” Scanspeak 9700 tweeter 
Rear Firing Loudspeakers: 2 x1” tweeters in “natural dipole” assembly
Weight: 75 Kg each
Size: 130 x 31 x 55 cm (HxLxD)

Positive Feedback RMAF review: “..the sound was clear, detailed, dynamic, but always musical. LPs sounded the way that they should, gliding out with emotional connection. Tics and pops were minimized. The soundstaging and imaging under show conditions were very good. In fact, I was really impressed by the performance of this system..”

Hi-Fi News, April 2016, Highly Recommended
Review can be found here via facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OperaLoudspeakers/photos/a.1194091790615069/1194092043948377/?type=3&theater
Summary:
“…the 92litre Grand Callas II is not simply imposing but also immaculately finished.”
“Commensurate with its imposing stature the Grand Callas II serves up a massive soundstage with a rich, deep and visceral bass.”
“I found myself in my element listening to rock, electronic and large-scale orchestral works alike, the speaker proving adept at moving satisfyingly ‘grand’ chunks of air.”
“The bass end is deliciously tight, even and well extended.”
“A notable strength of the Grand Callas II is its fine overall tonal balance…”
“It sounds open and airy while high frequencies appear smooth and delicate, almost mellow.”
“Working my way through a variety of bass-heavy recordings bought appreciative grins all-round.”
“Needless to say the loudspeaker’s impressive sense of scale worked wonders with all manner of (sensitively balanced) electronic.”
“…for the money Opera Audio’s Grand Callas II is mighty grand. A pair spaced well apart creates a creditably holographic soundstage with an almost lifelike scale.”
“Music lovers wanting a ‘dream speaker’ without contemplating taking out a second mortgage should certainly put Opera Audio’s latest Grand callas high on their shortlist for auditioning.”
“…at £8500 it can be considered something of a rare hi-fi bargain – especially given the cabinet’s sumptuous and immaculate finish.”