The OPERA line from dBTechnologies has been a quiet staple of affordable active PA for years. The Italian maker has just added two models that change the architecture: the OPERA NONA 210 and 212, active speakers that combine dual bass drivers with a coaxial mid-high section to form what dBTechnologies calls a quasi-three-way acoustic design. That is an unusual technical choice at this price point, and it is exactly what makes them interesting.
Two woofers plus a coaxial: why this layout
Most stage active speakers stack a woofer and a horn-loaded compression driver side by side. dBTechnologies takes another route: two bass transducers flank a true coaxial mid-high section. The upside is twofold. First, two woofers move more air and push the need for a subwoofer further away for many uses. Second, the coaxial puts mid and high on the same acoustic axis, improving source coherence and image stability as you move in front of the box — a real plus as a stage monitor or a near-field main.
Both models share 90° × 60° coverage and a 1,900 Hz crossover. They offer two wedge positions, three handles and a 36 mm pole socket. Made in Italy, like the rest of the range.
210 or 212: what sets them apart
The logic is simple: the 210 favours compactness, the 212 reaches lower and pushes a little harder.
| Spec | OPERA NONA 210 | OPERA NONA 212 |
|---|---|---|
| Woofers | 2 × 10″ (2.5″ coil) | 2 × 12″ (2.5″ coil) |
| Max SPL | 131.5 dB | 132.5 dB |
| Response (‑10 dB) | 55 Hz – 20 kHz | 48 Hz – 20 kHz |
| Weight | ≈ 42.3 lb | ≈ 49.6 lb |
In both cases, amplification is a Class-D stage rated 1,000 W RMS (2,000 W peak) with a wide-range switching supply. Processing is a linear-phase FIR DSP at 24-bit/48 kHz, driven by an eight-position rotary offering seven usage presets. That is a small set of controls, but it is deliberate: the NONA aims at fast deployment, not deep programming.
Connectivity and target uses
On the input side you get two balanced combo XLR/TRS sockets with independent level control, plus an XLR output to chain another box or pass the signal on. Enough to plug a line source, a mic or a small console straight in. dBTechnologies clearly aims these at musicians, DJs and portable PA operators: front-of-house main, stage monitor or pole-mounted point source.
If the dual woofer isn’t enough for a more demanding event, adding a sub is the right answer; our primer on cardioid subwoofer arrays helps you tame the low end once you scale up to a real system. And to get the most from the onboard amp and presets, our guide to power amps and system processing asks the right questions. If you were after a standalone battery PA instead, look at the Soundboks Rider, a very different brief.
Availability
The OPERA NONA 210 and 212 reach the U.S. market on September 29, 2026. dBTechnologies had not announced public pricing at the time of writing. Watch the official spec sheet at dbtechnologies.com.
My take
Dual woofers paired with a genuine coaxial is the kind of choice that betrays intent: delivering a source coherence you rarely find on an active box this size. On paper, the NONA 212 ticks the right boxes for a mobile operator who wants a versatile main that reaches low without a sub, and the coaxial should make walking in front of the box less treacherous. Seven presets only is thin if you like to dig, but it fits the target: plug in, pick a preset, play. Pricing will tell whether the equation holds up in use as well as it does on the spec sheet.
