Speaker Asylum: REVIEW: Piega P 10 Speakers by rs2

Model:	P 10
Category:	Speakers
Suggested Retail Price:	$ 12,500
Description:	3-way,floor standing
Manufacturer URL:	Piega
Model Picture:	View

Review by rs2 ( A ) on October 07, 2003 at 19:44:09
IP Address: 68.160.121.89

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for the P 10

I have 2 pairs of P10s, one in my main system & one connected to a cheap receiver for my TV (I got both pairs in a closeout from a NY dealer; they are grey-market, I think. Piega says they will honor the 6-year warranty).
This review refers to the ones in my main system, except as noted.
They are very relaxing to listen to, with a great midrange to high end: no edge or grain at all. The tonality is first rate. I hear very natural voices (no digital grunge thru my CD player), a wide soundstage that is somewhat deep, and the elements of sound well deliniated (air, I believe). CDs with hashy voices on other speakers I have owned sound nice & smooth. This may be at the expense of some midrange detail, but a worthwile tradeoff, I believe.
I think they need a lot of power. The bass is respectable but kind of one-note on the cheap receiver, but very warm & detailed & comfortable & non-abusive thru my Edge NL12 (300 wpc).
(For comparison, Wilson Watt Puppies have a more detailed bass to my ears, but the P10s are close. The Wilsons unfortunately, make lesser-quality CDs sound edgy and raspy in the midrange and highs.)
The P10s took a long time to break in! Bass was too strong and pushy at first, but transformed completely later on. (The dealer warned of a long break-in; he was right.)
They have an extremely natural portrayal of voice & instruments.
They do not have the high palpability of the best cone speakers, but are as good or better in this area as the planars I have heard (Apogees, Martin Logans, Quads).
I think they are an unbelievable bargain at the general used prices I have seen. I think they are better overall than any $10-$15K (new) speakers I have heard. They are a very high step up from the Aerial 10ts I used to have (The Aerials had natural midrange & highs, very pleasant for long listening sessions, but very small image & flat soundstage).
Piano in nice and sonorous, but still with nice plink & body. Woodwinds are especially airy and distinct in the soundfield. Strings are silky with just the right amount of bite.
Transparency is also a strong point. Although they don't do the "dissapearing act" some conventional speakers do, they just sound very correct to me in this area. There is no leaning to the right or left to get an image to detach from one channel or another, which is something I had to do with my Aerials.
Looks: nice and sleek & simple & elegant to my eyes; my wife says they are pretty. They appear very well constructed and sturdy.
They have 2 switches: one to adjust the bass (I keep on Normal, not extended), and the high freqencies (with + for boost, which I use, normal, and - for decrease). The switches have a very pronounced affect.
I have a 12x20 room, with the P10s 9feet apart on the long wall; I sit 8 feet away.
I keep the grille cloths on.
I was just thinking today it's a shame Piega discontinued the P10, that they would be a real classic. If they had charged $15K at first, I would have thought it to be a believable price.

Product Weakness: Slight lacking in detail compared to cone speakers. Very long break-in.
Product Strengths: Relaxing for long periods. Natural human voices. Poorly recorded CDs sound fine. Superb tonality. Great bargain at used prices.

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Edge NL12
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Levinson 32.
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Accuphase DP75V.
Speakers:	Piega P10.
Cables/Interconnects:	Cardas Golden Ref. IC + Spkr.
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Abbey Road, Mozart Symponies
Room Size (LxWxH):	20 x 12 x 8
Room Comments/Treatments:	none
Time Period/Length of Audition:	4 months (purchased new)
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	Tice 3C
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	Slight lacking in detail compared to cone speakers. Very long break-in.
Product Strengths:	Relaxing for long periods. Natural human voices. Poorly recorded CDs sound fine. Superb tonality. Great bargain at used prices.