Subwoofers — Piega TMICRO SUBWOOFER

The TMicro Sub is the compact active subwoofer of Piega's TMicro series, the Swiss manufacturer's range of small satellite and column speakers. Its distinguishing feature is a built-in stereo power amplifier for the satellites, so the subwoofer alone turns a pair of passive TMicro speakers into a complete, self-contained 2.1 system. The current series pairs it with the TMicro 40 AMT satellite, TMicro 60 AMT column and TMicro Center AMT, all updated with Piega's AMT-1 folded-ribbon tweeter.

Key specs that matter

The TMicro Sub is an active bass-reflex design with one 180mm MDS driver firing downward from a cabinet of about 12 litres. It contains three amplifiers - 150W for the subwoofer driver and 2 x 50W for the high-pass satellite outputs. Frequency response reaches 30Hz (-3dB), with variable level and crossover. Input is by line-level connection. The cabinet measures 28 x 22 x 25cm and weighs 14kg, finished in black or white lacquer.

Engineering and use context

Because the subwoofer contains the satellite amplifiers as well as its own, the signal from a source such as a TV, phone, computer or streamer enters the sub, which splits it into bass and upper frequencies. The subwoofer driver reproduces the low end, while the high-passed signal feeds the stereo amplifier driving the satellites. Filtering the bass out of the satellite feed means the small 120mm drivers in the TMicro 40 AMT never have to reproduce frequencies they cannot handle, reducing their excursion and distortion at higher levels, and no separate amplifier or receiver is required. Firing the driver downward toward the floor makes the subwoofer less sensitive to its orientation in the room and allows it to sit beside or under furniture. The bass-reflex tuning extends output deep from a very small cabinet, and the weight of such a compact box reflects a rigid enclosure and a substantial amplifier. The original TMicro system was designed by Hannes Wettstein, and the current AMT generation updates the satellites while keeping the same system concept.

Pairing

The TMicro Sub is designed to drive two TMicro 40 AMT or TMicro 60 AMT speakers directly from its internal amplifier, creating a complete desktop or living-room system fed by any line-level source. It can also add bass to other small speakers driven by a separate amplifier, connected at line level. Its size suits small rooms, desks and discreet TV installations.

Alternatives

Piega's own Sub Medium is a larger sealed subwoofer in a round aluminium cabinet with 300W and extension to 18Hz.