Piega Premium 701 Gen2 silver (pack of 2)

Handcrafted in Horgen, near Lake Zurich, this three-way tower speaker represents a complete redesign compared to its predecessor. The 701 transitions from a 2.5-way configuration to a true three-way system with a dedicated midrange driver, while adopting the new RM 01-24 magnetostatic ribbon tweeter, the result of two years of development and over thirty prototypes. Its seamless extruded aluminum cabinet and circular base give it an instantly recognizable silhouette.

A solid aluminum cabinet machined from a single block

Piega extrudes each cabinet from a single aluminum block. No joints, no welds. Tapping on the side produces almost no sound, whereas many wooden speakers reveal parasitic resonances. This natural rigidity of metal is complemented by an internal wooden matrix and damping material borrowed from the high-end Coax series.

The C-shaped oval profile, designed by Stefan Hürlemann, follows the design language of the Ace range. The speaker rests on a circular base 30 cm in diameter that gives it the impression of floating above the floor. The fabric grilles attach magnetically with surprising force while remaining invisible: no clips, no pins, just a precise fit within the cabinet frame.

At 17 cm wide and 111.5 cm tall, the 701 Gen2 remains surprisingly discreet in a room. Its weight of 20.9 kg, moderate for a tower speaker of this size thanks to aluminum, makes handling easier during installation.

The RM 01-24 tweeter: twenty years of experience condensed

The RM 01-24 name pays tribute to its creators, Roger Kessler (chief engineer) and Mario Ballabio (ribbon specialist at Piega). This magnetostatic tweeter with an aluminum membrane is hand-assembled in the Swiss factory according to expertise passed down from one generation to the next within the company.

The aluminum membrane, approximately fifty times lighter than a conventional textile dome, responds with a speed that conventional technologies struggle to match. The innovation lies in the magnet arrangement: they frame the ribbon at the front and rear in a strictly symmetrical geometry. This orthogonal magnetic field improves linearity, reduces distortion, and refines impulse response.

The frequency range extends up to 50 kHz, which far exceeds the audible spectrum but contributes to an airy and detailed reproduction of harmonics in the treble.

Three ways, four drivers

The previous 701 operated as a 2.5-way system: two identical drivers shared bass and midrange duties with differentiated filtering. The Gen2 abandons this compromise. The 140 mm midrange driver (FSD-M) is now specifically optimized for its frequency range, while the two 140 mm woofers (FSD-W), positioned symmetrically below the midrange, are dedicated exclusively to bass.

This FSD (Full Symmetric Drive) technology reduces the number of magnets by half compared to previous designs, an approach that Piega incorporates into a sustainability strategy. The magnetic optimization strengthens the voice coil in areas of intense field and improves the overall efficiency of the system.

The bass-reflex ports are located at the rear, in the center of the cabinet. The frequency response extends down to 34 Hz (±2 dB), an honest figure for a speaker of this size. The sensitivity of 90 dB/W/m and 4-ohm impedance allow the use of amplifiers from 20 to 200 watts.

Listening experience: neutrality and transparency

The 701 Gen2 has a neutral character that might seem clinical if the reproduction weren’t so lively. Voices, acoustic guitars, and string instruments appear with a realism that doesn’t require loud listening to perceive details. The texture of voices, the breath on studio recordings, the attack of strings: everything is there, without exaggeration or attenuation.

The dedicated midrange brings a coherence that the 2.5-way configuration couldn’t achieve. The stereo image is precise, stable, with a soundstage depth that rewards careful placement. Micro-dynamics, those subtle intensity variations that bring a musical phrase to life, are particularly well reproduced.

The bass extends with authority but remains tight. Don’t expect the physical impact of larger speakers here: the 701 Gen2 favors definition over raw power. In small to medium-sized rooms, this approach works particularly well, even at low volume. For large rooms or electronic music enthusiasts at high sound levels, a subwoofer could complement the system.

Technical specifications

Specifications

• Type: 3-way floorstanding loudspeaker
• Recommended amplifier power: 20 – 200 W
• Sensitivity: 90 dB / W / m
• Impedance: 4 ohms
• Frequency response: 34 Hz – 50 kHz (+/- 2 dB)

Transducers

• RM 01-24 ribbon tweeter
  • Magnetostatic ribbon with innovative front and rear magnet layout
  • Distortion reduced to a minimum
  • Vocals with striking realism
  • Instruments rendered with great finesse
  • Musical details reproduced with brilliant clarity
  • Lively, natural soundstage
• FSD midrange and bass drivers
  • Full Symmetric Drive technology ensuring harmonious, powerful sound
  • 1 × 140 mm FSD-M (midbass): precise, balanced reproduction, perfectly integrated with the ribbon tweeter
  • 2 × 140 mm FSD-W (woofers): symmetrical layout delivering deep, powerful, and perfectly controlled bass
  • Every sonic nuance reproduced with accuracy for total immersion

Design

• Brand’s iconic signature
• Exceptional quality and acoustic precision
• Minimalist, industrial aesthetic
• Harmonious integration into all contemporary interiors

General

• Dimensions (H × W × D): 111.5 × 17 × 22.8 cm
• Base diameter: Ø 30 cm
• Weight: 20.9 kg

Available finishes

• Sandblasted silver aluminium with silver fabric grille
• Sandblasted black aluminium with black fabric grille
• White lacquered aluminium with white fabric grille
• Sandblasted aluminium limited editions (Misty Green, Shiny Ash) with black fabric grille
• Elegant, durable, and hard-wearing surface