A wavelength-tunable add/drop device for adding or dropping n channels having different center wavelengths is disclosed. A first multicavity variable optical filter for selectably operable to passing one channel while reflecting n−1 other channels depends upon a location where light is launched into an end of the multicavity optical filter. A broadband optical reflector is disposed directly adjacent to the multicavity variable optical filter and disposed between planes coincident with the first and second surfaces of the variable filter, the broadband reflector having a reflectivity that will reflect all n channels of light. Preferably, the broadband reflector is disposed distal from the bottom and top layers of the multicavity filter and is adjacent to the middle layers or near the middle of the multicavity filter layers.