A Handmade Powell Headjoint on an Intermediate Body — That's the Sonaré Idea
There's a question that comes up constantly among advancing flutists: how do you get a real professional sound without spending professional money? Powell's answer has been the Sonaré line for decades now — and the PS-705 is the top of that range. The concept is straightforward: pair a handmade sterling silver Powell Signature II headjoint (the same kind found on their professional instruments) with a precision-built sterling silver body, and you end up with something that punches well above its price class.
This particular configuration — B footjoint, open holes, offset G, and C# trill key — is the most fully-featured version of the 705. The B foot extends your low range down to low B, the C# trill key opens up technical passages that can otherwise require some awkward fingering acrobatics, and the offset G layout is friendlier on your left hand for longer practice sessions. Open holes encourage better hand position and give you access to extended techniques when you're ready for them.
If you're an intermediate or advancing player who's outgrown a student flute and wants something with real long-term staying power, the PS-705 is a natural next step. It's also a go-to for college-level players and adults returning to the instrument who want a serious setup without the full handmade price tag.
Sterling Silver Throughout — Not Just the Headjoint
The PS-705 is built with a sterling silver body and headjoint — both made at Powell's Massachusetts workshop. That matters because the body tube is a major contributor to resonance and tone color, and all-silver construction gives the 705 a noticeably richer sound than instruments that use a silver-plated nickel silver body. The headjoint is the hand-cut Powell Signature II model, made using the same techniques as their professional line.
The mechanism is nickel silver with a silver-plate finish, and the key system features French-style open holes with French pointed arms on the non-fingering keys. Pointed arms distribute finger pressure more directly to the center of the key cup, which helps produce a more consistent seal — a small detail that adds up over hours of playing. Tubing is drawn to .016" thickness and the tone holes are also drawn, all contributing to the 705's consistent feel and response across registers.
10K White Gold Springs and the Modern Powell Scale
One of the features that sets the PS-705 apart from most instruments at this price point is the 10K white gold springs. Springs are easy to overlook when you're shopping for a flute, but they're what gives the key action its feel — the snap, the resistance, the speed. White gold springs offer a crisper, more responsive action compared to the stainless steel springs typically found on student and entry-level step-up flutes. Players often notice the difference immediately.
The flute is built to the modern Powell scale and pitched at A-442, which keeps it in tune with orchestras and ensembles that tune to slightly higher pitch standards. The C# trill key on this configuration makes certain technical passages significantly more manageable — it's a feature you'll find on professional instruments, and having it here adds real musical flexibility for repertoire and audition prep.
Product Features:
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Instrument Type: Concert Flute in C, pitched at A-442
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Headjoint: Handmade sterling silver Powell Signature II headjoint, hand-cut embouchure
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Body: Sterling silver, .016" tubing, drawn tone holes
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Mechanism: Nickel silver, silver-plated; French-style open holes with pointed arms
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Springs: 10K white gold for responsive, precise key action
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Key Configuration: Offset G, B footjoint with gizmo key, C# trill key, open holes
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Scale: Modern Powell Scale
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Level: Intermediate (top of the Sonaré range)
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Made in: Massachusetts, USA
Brand: Powell Sonaré
Model: PS-705 (PS75BOFTR)
SKU: PS75BOFTR_40613
Condition: New
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