Piega connect plus – New central interface of the Piega Premium Wireless Series

Piega connect plus, as the renowned Swiss loudspeaker specialist Piega SA calls the successor of the Piega connect, presents the latest generation of an extremely flexible component of the Piega Premium Wireless Series. This solution is intended to enable users to create a central, versatile interface between the wireless speakers of the aforementioned Piega Premium Wireless Series and an existing hi-fi system or even a multi-room audio system.

Of course, the new Piega connect plus offers all the advantages of the previously available Piega connect, but now earns the “plus” in its name with additional connection options and a powerful integrated streaming client.

Piega Premium Wireless Series

The so-called Piega Premium Wireless Series represents an extremely impressive product line of wireless speaker systems. Here, the Swiss rely on the virtues that have distinguished the solutions from Lake Zurich for years, such as a fabulous performance in the smallest, most elegant form factor, with the possibilities that modern active speaker systems can offer.

Comfort, flexibility and versatility are thus to be combined with reproduction in true high-end hi-fi quality, as the manufacturer himself puts it in a nutshell.

The series includes the floor-standing speaker systems Piega Premium Wireless 701, Piega Premium Wireless 501 and the bookshelf speaker system Piega Premium Wireless 301. In addition, there is the already repeatedly mentioned Piega connect, which is now being replaced by the new Piega connect plus, as described.

Piega connect plus – The central interface based on KleerNET

The primary task of the Piega connect plus is to act as a central interface between existing hi-fi systems and the loudspeakers of the Piega Premium Wireless Series.

The Piega connect plus presents itself as a compact solution, measuring no more than 172 x 101 x 42 mm and weighing no more than 350 g with a plastic housing in discreet black.

The signal transmission between the Piega connect plus and the active wireless speakers of the Piega Premium Wireless Series is carried out by means of KleerNET, a radio technology also known as Kleer Wireless Technology, which operates as a tri-band technology in the range of 2.4 GHz, 5.2 GHz and 5.8 GHz with Auto Band Switching for interference-free transmission even in the environment of WiFi or Bluetooth. This makes it possible to achieve data rates that allow transmission of up to 24 bits and 96 kHz. In principle, KleerNET supports not only stereo but also surround, up to 7.1-channel configurations. In the case of the Piega connect plus, however, it is limited to stereo alone, and this should be explicitly stated at this point.

Numerous interfaces – analogue and digital including HDMI

The new Piega connect plus has analogue inputs in the form of a 3.5 mm stereo mini-jack and a pair of cinch sockets, plus three optical and one coaxial S/PDIF interface, whereby signals can be transmitted in Linear PCM at up to 24 bit and 192 kHz. In addition, there is a USB port which, as a Type B port, can establish a direct connection to a PC or Mac and transmit audio signals via USB in Linear PCM with up to 24 bit and 192 kHz.

In addition, there is now also an HDMI port, so that you can connect a TV directly to the new Piega connect plus, and thus use speaker systems from the Piega Premium Wireless Series as excellent audio systems for television.

Streaming via WiFi – UPnP, Google Chromecast, Apple AirPlay 2 and Roon Ready

But things get really exciting when you integrate the Piega connect plus into the network via the integrated WiFi module, because then it can first access content in the network directly via UPnP as a dlna-certified streaming client.

In addition, the new Piega connect plus supports Google Chromecast as well as Apple AirPlay 2, is equipped for Spotify including Spotify Connect and will soon be designated as Roon Ready.

Bluetooth also on board

By the way, Bluetooth should not be missing either, after all, users should be able to use smartphones, tablets or computers as a source away from the network in the simplest way. However, only Bluetooth 4.2 is used here.

Simple control via remote control or app

The new Piega connect plus can be controlled either via a remote control included in the scope of delivery, which is designed as a bidirectional solution and works via radio, or also via the remote control of the TV set, at least when watching TV.

In addition, the Swiss company has its own app for the Piega Premium Wireless Series, namely the Piega Control App for Apple iOS and Google Android.

In addition to the actual control of all functions of the system, it also provides an uncomplicated and quick room calibration.

Prices and availability

The new Piega connect plus should be available in specialist shops within the next few days, according to the Swiss loudspeaker manufacturer. The price is listed at € 590,-.

Getting to the point

The new Piega connect plus combines the qualities of its predecessor, the Piega connect, with additional connection options, first and foremost an HDMI input, as well as integrated streaming functions, says Piega SA. Like bislant, the Piega connect plus serves as an interface between existing hi-fi components and the speakers of the Piega Premium Wireless Series. The operation of the system is now supposed to be even more convenient, as it can now be done via smart devices in addition to remote control with the help of an app.