Piega Premium Wireless 301 System Review! 

Hi, thanks for the review. I've decided to go down the active speaker route for my next system, after rejecting the idea for years. I like the concept and look of these Piegas. I agree with you that the connectivity interface should be exterior to the speakers for the reason you state, but also for upgrading flexibility. Elac has the same philosophy with their ARB51 and Andrew Jones stated this in various interviews. It allows you to upgrade the external DAC, streamer or pre-amp when you want to. The main thing that frustrates me with all active systems that have direct connections at the back of the master speaker is the lack of consideration for headphone listening. It's clearly not even considered by manufacturers such as Audio Engine. Imagine if amp designers had the same attitude? At least with external connectivity a pre-amp can be used that has a headphone output. However, I have some issues with the Piega box that I hope you can clarify: I don't buy the idea that volume should be controlled via each individual source. That could mean multiple remotes, but also - how can you control volume on fixed analogue or digital feeds? I must be missing something. You say you connected a CD player via RCA analogue - that would be a fixed line level unless your CD player has a variable analogue output? If it does, isn't that unusual? Headphone use: the Connect box has an RCA analogue out - can that be used to feed a headphone amp? If that's possible it takes away the option of a sub out but at least headphones could be used. It strikes me that really the connect box is redundant because it's not a pre-amp or streamer and can't control volume or offer headphone out. You mentioned that the DAC is also average. Therefore, wouldn't a better set up be to connect an external pre-amp/DAC/streamer directly to the analogue input of the speaker? It could be situated next to the speaker and controlled via a remote control or phone app, giving direct volume control over all the connected sources. Alternatively, the pre-amp could be connected to the Connect box. It just means that all the other inputs on the box are wasted. I look forward to your thoughts - as you can see, I'm a bit confused about all this but I'm enjoying learning about it.

Excellent review! Question: can these speakers be used in a home theater application as surround sound speakers? I would think yes since Piega states these speakers can be used for TV. I just worry if there’s lag then could come across lip synch issues. Ty!

Is there DAC inside speakers or you need connect box for DAC?

hello geez around 9 minutes you talk about low volume listening. could you please reccomend a system that excels at low volumes please

Can't polish a *#(^. You perhaps can't say that but I can. I've had it with all the hubris and high prices and frankly laziness of some continental manufacturers who lean heavily on being Swiss or Italian or French rather than actually bothering to do the work and then add insult to injury by queitly sidling off to have things made in China for the lowest possible price. I respect actual ChiFi more. This is just a poorly thought-out and tacked together me-too product. I cannot see the point of it at all, the box isn't a streaming end-point, it has volume buttons but no remote, it has no RIAA stage. So unless you exclusively listen to bluetooth you still need all your other boxes. Now I agree that separates have the advantage of specificity and physical isolation. But if I'm doing that then I'm not getting powered speakers am I. As far as I'm concerned there's a myriad better ways to spend 2 grand or 2.5 as the case maybe. KEF LS50 Wireless II comes to mind. Or Q-Acoustic's Q Active 200s which I hope you will one day review. (The fact that Piega lop 20% off the price for the bundle should also tell you something).