Floorstanding loudspeakers — Piega ACE 30

The Ace 30 is the smallest speaker in the Ace series from Piega of Horgen, Switzerland, a range the company launched in spring 2021 as its entry point. Piega classes it as a two-way satellite system, and the oval aluminium body was shaped by the Swiss designer Stephan Hurlemann. At launch the list price was EUR 490 per speaker.

Key specs that matter

The layout uses just two drivers. Treble comes from the AMT-1 Air Motion Transformer, whose 24 x 36 mm ribbon is driven by a neodymium magnet, and a 120 mm MDS mid/bass driver developed for this series covers the rest. Piega quotes 50 Hz to 40 kHz, a sensitivity of 87 dB at 1 W and 1 m, and a nominal impedance of 4 ohm. The recommended amplifier range is 20 to 150 W. Each cabinet stands 22 cm high, 14 cm wide and 16 cm deep, and weighs 3 kg.

Engineering and use context

Every Ace model shares the same cross-section in aluminium, so the Ace 30, the Ace 50 tower and the horizontal Ace Center look alike and can be mixed in one system. The Ace Center is 34 cm wide and 14 cm high and weighs 4 kg, and at launch it cost EUR 590 per unit, while the Ace 50 tower was EUR 990. A multi-connector terminal accepts the speaker cable, and the fabric covers can be removed. Three finishes are offered - silver aluminium with a silver fabric cover, anodised black aluminium dressed in a matching black cover, and white lacquer with a white cover, the last two at a small surcharge. An active Ace 30 Wireless version also exists, with a 100 W Class D amplifier in each speaker, a stated range of 35 Hz to 20 kHz, and built-in inputs for coaxial and optical digital, HDMI eARC, analogue stereo and Ethernet, plus AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Bluetooth, DLNA and Roon Ready streaming. That version sells at USD 1,995 per pair and uses WiSA wireless links between the two speakers, so no cable has to run from one to the other. Piega itself was founded in 1986.

Pairing

A low-impedance load with only average efficiency calls for a solid-state integrated or power amp that stays stable into it. Because the bass extension is limited, Piega suggests adding one of its subwoofers when the pair is used in larger rooms, and the small cabinet also fits a home cinema setup with the Ace Center in the middle. Stands, a shelf or a sideboard give the tweeter a sensible height.

Alternatives

The Piega Ace 50 is the tower of the Ace range, a three-way design 104 cm tall with an AMT-1, one midrange unit plus a pair of woofers, all sized like the Ace 30 mid/bass driver.