New Piega Premium 801: SSD Ribbon Tweeter

Piega has unveiled the Premium 801 floorstanding speaker, which stands as the flagship of its Premium series. This speaker is designed to connect the Premium 701 Gen2 and Coax 611 models, showcasing a blend of traditional Piega aesthetics and a groundbreaking high-frequency solution: a newly developed SSD ribbon tweeter housed in a horn. The Premium 801 is crafted from the robust extruded aluminum architecture of the Coax 611, which is shaped under an extraordinary pressure exceeding 5,000 tons, a method rarely used in loudspeaker manufacturing. This technique enhances construction rigidity and minimizes resonance, resulting in a sleek and elegant design. Inside the cabinet, features like longitudinal bracing, a damping layer, and an innovative wood-matrix bracing system contribute to acoustic stability. The midrange driver is isolated in its sealed enclosure, coupled with four woofers in a bass-reflex system that deliver powerful dynamics, making the Premium 801 the largest and most acoustically sophisticated option in its line. At the core of its functionality is the new SSD (Super Symmetric Drive) ribbon tweeter, RM 01-24, boasting a diaphragm mass of merely 0.03 grams which allows for rapid impulse response and excellent detail resolution. This Premium model also introduces a specially designed horn mount which nearly doubles efficiency and lowers the crossover frequency to approximately 2.7 kHz. The horn's focused sound reduces unwanted reflections from floors and ceilings while lowering the acoustic center of high frequencies nearly to the midrange driver.

This leads to an exceptionally cohesive transition to the midrange driver, creating a natural and immersive soundstage, as highlighted by Roger Kessler, Chief Developer at Piega. The midrange driver benefits from an upgraded crossover that utilizes FSD (Full Symmetric Drive) technology, providing exceptionally linear movement for natural and relaxed sound reproduction. Handling low frequencies are four FSD woofers, which deliver superior bass control and a maximum sound pressure level nearly 6.5 decibels higher than that of its predecessor, the Premium 701 Gen2. The Premium 801 effortlessly combines high resolution with dynamic power and a concert-like presence.

Thanks to the lightweight SSD ribbon tweeter, high frequencies respond swiftly while the horn ensures even dispersion. The integration of the SSD tweeter, the sealed FSD midrange driver, and four robust woofers creates a soundstage that rivals that of live performances—precise, natural, and impressively clear across both quiet and high-energy passages. Furthermore, the Premium 801 achieves a commendable level of precision and neutrality reminiscent of studio monitors, but with a musical character that appeals to audiophiles. The outcome is an experience that's both analytically pure and emotionally engaging. The crossover filter is designed for seamless impedance and amplifier compatibility, making the Premium 801 suitable for various amplifier types including powerful transistor, modern Class-D, and high-end tube amplifiers. Bi-wiring and bi-amping are made possible with dual speaker connections, and with a sensitivity rating of 90 dB, it does not necessitate an excessively powerful amplifier. Its frequency response spans from 32 Hz to 50 kHz, with an impedance of four ohms. The dimensions are 116 x 21 x 31 centimeters (H x W x D), and its base measures 35 centimeters in diameter, with the entire speaker weighing in at 39.6 kilograms.