Opera Prima v2 Bookshelf Speaker (Pair)

Opera Prima v2 is the flagship bookshelf model of the Classica line. Designed with a two-way bass-reflex layout, it is equipped with custom-made drivers in collaboration with Scan-Speak: a 26mm soft dome tweeter and a 180mm woofer. Combining engineering, musicality and craftsmanship, this speaker offers detailed, broad and natural sound.

Since its debut in 2014, the Classic Line has become the best-selling speaker series ever for Opera Loudspeakers. Its renovation required long, ambitious and engaging design work, driven by the constant search for natural and refined sound performance.
The real challenge? Exceed the already very high level of the previous generation.

This range embodies the classicism of the best Italian manufacturing tradition: from the design to the construction of the cabinets, up to the artisanal attention to every detail, celebrating the excellence that has made our country a point of reference in the world.

At the same time, its name reflects the deep passion for classical music, which has always been an inspiration for Opera in the creation of Hi-Fi speakers.

While retaining its original name, the Classic V2 has been completely rethought, starting with aesthetics. New finishes include a modern wood-effect variant and a new concrete finish. The eco-leather covering, which characterizes the speakers front, top and rear, has remained a distinctive feature of the series.

The basics of the floor models have also been completely redesigned. The goal? Visually lighten the structure and transmit maximum vibrations to the ground, thanks also to the new tips with Black Gun finish.

Consisting of two shelf speakers, two floor models and a central channel, the new Classic Line V2 presents itself as a new reference in the stereophonic Hi-Fi category, without however giving up the versatility required by the Home Cinema world.

The Cabinet

The Prima chassis was meticulously engineered from the ground up. Its cabinet dimensions were refined to disrupt standing waves and minimize localized resonances. The use of high-density polyurethane significantly reduces residual reflections by over tenfold.

Measurements reveal a swift decay of unavoidable mid-low range resonances, delivering a cleaner, more accurate sound reproduction that captures subtle environmental and harmonic nuances. Internal bracing has been minimized to prevent excess rigidity or mass that could alter tonal character.

The angled upper and lower panels enhance internal wave dispersion, while the precisely milled transducer housing mitigates compression effects in the midrange. The optimized rear reflex port ensures deep, natural bass without sacrificing responsiveness.

Drivers

The development of this project involved close collaboration with Scan-Speak, where transducers were crafted through an iterative, listening-focused process before instrumental validation. The specially designed 18cm woofer for Prima features a lightweight moving mass paired with optimized surface damping. 

Its aluminum diaphragm delivers a smooth response free of significant distortions, while the recalibrated magnetic assembly provides precise acceleration in the mid-low frequencies with broad, linear excursion. The Scan-Speak tweeter has been subtly refined, particularly in its rear chamber materials, to produce a delicate, detailed, and cohesive high-frequency range, with thermal management that preserves tonal neutrality even at elevated volumes.

Crossover

The crossover serves as the critical junction between electrical design and acoustic performance. Rather than simply adhering to filter theory, each component was finely tuned through careful listening in the intended environment to achieve optimal phase alignment and tonal unity between woofer and tweeter.

Despite the aluminum diaphragm, the woofer’s low-pass section requires no notch filter, relying instead on a carefully balanced interplay of inductance and capacitance to preserve natural sound and phase coherence. The tweeter’s high-pass filter is engineered for timbral consistency at high sound levels, with special emphasis on the coil’s thermal durability.

Component selection reflects extensive listening trials, featuring Vishay resistors, Mundorf capacitors, and custom inductors, all precision-mounted on a bespoke PCB with an optimized layout. Wiring employs high-purity copper of substantial gauge to maintain clarity, dynamic range, and control.

Design Philosophy

The design of Prima it arises from an observation that is as simple as it is fundamental: while the acoustics of environments are studied down to the smallest detail, the fact that even a diffuser is, in fact, a confined space is often overlooked. And like any enclosed space, it can generate unwanted resonances and colorations.

We have therefore placed the utmost attention on the internal behavior of the system, working to distribute and contain resonances over a wider frequency range, significantly reducing their amplitude. The result is a speaker capable of combining broad dynamics with a surprising ability to maintain detail, articulation and naturalness even at the lowest levels of listening.

Particular attention was given to timbral coherence and sound scene reconstruction: the entire system was designed to ensure uniform horizontal dispersion and a large, stable and credible scene. Thanks also to the close collaboration with Scan-Speak, Prima it offers performances that go far beyond the expectations of its category, combining engineering, musicality and craftsmanship.

Features

• 2-Way Bookshelf / Stand-mount speaker
• Custom Scan-Speak Drivers
• Veneered wooden cabinet with faux leather wrap
• Rear-ported design
• Easy to place in small and medium-sized rooms
• High-quality components used throughout
• Made in Italy

Specifications