Напольная акустика — Piega MASTER LINE SOURCE 2 GEN2

The Master Line Source 2 Gen2 is a three-way dipole loudspeaker from Piega, the Swiss manufacturer that has hand-built loudspeakers since 1986. It condenses the technology of Piega's four-part flagship Master Line Source into a single cabinet, sitting between the flagship and the smaller MLS 3. The Gen2 version was introduced at the Munich High End show and developed and tuned by Roger Kessler, with cabinet design by Stephan Hürlemann.

Key specs that matter

The MLS 2 Gen2 combines four stacked LSD 211 coaxial line source drivers for the midrange and treble with two 220mm UHQD aluminium-membrane woofers and two 220mm UHQD passive radiators on the rear. Frequency response is 20Hz to 50kHz, sensitivity is 92dB/W/m, impedance is 4 ohms and recommended amplification is 20 to 500W. Connection is by bi-wiring or Piega's Multi-Connector. Each speaker measures 168 x 29 x 45.5cm and weighs 98kg. Finishes are matte silver, black and white or Zebrano veneer, all with an aluminium front baffle.

Engineering and use context

Each line source driver uses an ultralight aluminium foil membrane onto which several voice-coil tracks, about 20 microns thick, are applied by spray-etching. Different sections of the membrane work as midrange drivers while the central line acts as the tweeter, so midrange and treble come from one coaxial surface whose whole membrane weighs only 7mg, suspended between neodymium magnets. Stacked into a tall line, the drivers radiate a cylindrical wavefront that spreads vertically much less than a conventional driver, so less midrange and treble energy reflects from the floor and ceiling. The dipole design radiates to the rear as well as the front, and the black lamellae on the back act as an acoustic lens, diffusing the rear wave through diffraction and reflection. Piega improved these lamellae for Gen2, making the speaker easier to place near walls or in difficult rooms, and also refined the transition between bass and line source sections. The line sources are mounted on a 10mm aluminium baffle bonded fully to a rigid cabinet with matrix bracing. The UHQD woofers use rigid, light aluminium membranes, and the rear passive radiators extend the bass without a port.

Pairing

The low impedance calls for a powerful, current-capable amplifier, although the high sensitivity means Piega's recommended power range starts low. The dipole layout needs space behind the speaker for the rear wave to develop, and the line-source height suits larger rooms and longer listening distances.

Alternatives

Piega's own Master Line Source 3 applies the same line source and dipole concept to a smaller cabinet.