3 / 2006

PIAZETTA LOUDSPEAKER PACKAGE

So, you have never heard of Bolzano Villetri. In case it makes you feel more comfortable, neither had I. Until my colleague, Mr. Sommer announced the name one day at a conference and at the same time presented a perfect catalogue that even our team was impressed by - ‘Bolzano Villetri’. The new manufacturer, who wants to conquer the market with a very distinguished portfolio.

BV carries only omni directional speakers in its program, Loudspeakers that disperse the sound strictly in all directions. Respect is due as there are easier ways to convince the market, however I must confess that my personal and virtual dream does convert to 1. Omni-directional radiation 2. Huge efficiencies 3. Deep Bass and 4. A nice cabinet - of course this doesn’t exist in reality but I am always willing to give advice about other options and their prices in order for clientele to get as close to the ideal speakers as possible.

Behind BV stand a professional musician and an expert for technical acoustic sound. In 1989, they both decided to combine their wisdom in order to create perfect musical sound. However, for this very ambitious project they still needed some years for the development of the technology, the concept and the creation.

From this concept some elegant figures have been developed, in my opinion, and everything around it is obviously a logical result of the radiation principle. This is also where the exciting proportions, principles and detailed solutions are combined. Furthermore, the optical aspect plays a significant role, as does the technical High End loudspeaker construction which is extremely important.

Now don’t you share the same opinion that an Italian name could be helpful? - Exactly. BV really has some connection with Italy. Okay, its research, developed and its planning is done in Russia, Moscow, with combined manpower it is here that the biggest part of the manufacturing process exists. However, BV does have something to do with Italy; and it resides is the city of Milan. In Milan the loudspeakers get their final look, from here these hand polished, shining, “beauties” are sent out worldwide. Italian finishing with European shipment plays a role of around 10 percent in the product, which actually represents a substantial part since a BV-customer receives an enormous package delivered to his or her house.

In fact customers actually get three packets delivered, and strictly speaking, these are really big flight cases. Professional wooden cases with aluminum edges and butterfly shaped fasteners with unique upholstery inside. A professional box indeed, such is the resemblance that one imagines these are transported worldwide by rock stars from stage to stage. These stable boxes can easily handle a fall of a truck ramp. By the way, the flight cases are included in the purchase price and are an integral component of any BV set.

Nevertheless, if you should soon expect a Piazzetta set you should organize some extra help for the delivery day. A friend could be of big help to assist in the arrangement of the speakers in your house or apartment, even though the Piazzetta represents the smallest model of the Campanile middle series. However who wants small if expectations are so high? In the case of Piazzetta, it means that there will be two elegant towers standing in the living room and a low-frequency transformer looking after the foundation. Now even if you feel now like King Kong in Downtown Bolzano, please do not put up the speakers by yourself – your back will be thankful. Furthermore, a stroke of “bad luck” could cause damage to the standard high quality polishing, which would be sad for this noble speaker.

The impression of elegance and refinement radiates from every view. After we have unpacked the towers, including the subwoofer, and positioned them in the living room (and my private help just did not want to leave), a first friendly “wowwww” was heard.

Yes, the Russian - Italian joint venture already impresses even before the first tone is heard yet further international flavor is yet too beheld. The BV distributor for Europe (except for Italy), have the headquarters in London and is called YBI

Distributions; also German, French, Spanish and Dutch are spoken in this office. Similarly, the Piazzetta presents its detail as being very cosmopolitan. Fact, the “Mid-Range Drivers” are made by SEAS from Norway, which is considered to be high end practice. The high tonal tweeters, nevertheless, come from Morel, a small but also famous choice for the professional, Morel are from Israel. The third in this alliance, responsible for the active-subwoofer, are company called Hertz from Italy.

There are few special chassis to be found which can take-on a demanding bass role - one only knows how it works. We looked at ventilated swinging reels, at a massive basket, damping rubber harborage representing an absolute subwoofer – our verdict: perfect.

The strong amplifier module is situated at the back of the speakers, and has everything required to activate the subwoofer; Bolzano Villetri also strongly support the use of a 5.1 set for home cinema entertainment. This however is a different story to tell.

We are, for now, solely interested in what quality of music (and nothing else than music) the speakers can produce in a room. Bolzano Villetri treats this matter with compulsory seriousness. BV own six patents for the loudspeakers within its collection, two of which represent the main cohesion for the construction principles and are compulsory in the Piazzetta series. Now, please, keep in mind that new buzz words such as "Round Stream Technology" and "Pilot Edge Technology" are new and sound complicated – actually they are not. As usual, it depends how the grey matter boring and theory is converted representing what is actually a colorful and exciting practice.

Let’s first analyze what Bolzano Villetri mean by the afore-mentioned technologies. First, “Round Stream technology” takes the key role for the whole program; this term describes how BV achieves the desired “all-round radiation”, and is accomplished through “Counter Aperture Principle”. In essence, two identical drivers, equipped within their own cases, are situated opposite each other with the same distance and swing working simultaneously. Thanks to exact adjustment, according to BV, this is the way these drivers develop a controlled sound field and a homogeneous sound (in all directions) is dispersed. Because the drivers are mounted horizontally, they actually radiate slightly more upward and downward, which is where the "Pilot Edge Technology" comes in: strong case edges reflect a certain part of the sound from the opposite set of drivers into the room perfectly.

A significant aspect of “Counter Aperture” and “Facet Technology” are the integration of both high and mid range drivers. These are also found in the sound field of the woofer midrange drivers, radiating back and forth in a kind of high-tech spider, which grace lies between a designer’s citrus extractor and the interior of the Star Trek Enterprise. The artistic, integrated and extremely stable eye-catching construction holds together the super slender loudspeaker - optically stunning as they are technical – dividing into three linked unities. Which is why, in my opinion, the Piazzetta seems to be very airy and light - I simply could not image putting back on the grills.

The design of the loudspeaker itself is not strictly right-angled but has a certain dynamic which takes one away from a traditional box shape, thus proving the Italian elegance is deeply rooted. Interestingly, there is actually a right and a left model of Piazzetta as BV were clever enough to straighten the bass reflex openings of the upper midrange driver to work in opposite formation, while the lower ones radiate forwards.

In addition, there was effort not to give too much weight for the connected amplifier; four dynamic chassis should do the work.

Thus; Bolzano Villetri has Bi-Wiring connection terminals in the base that allow more than one capacitor to function and protect the high tone area against dangerous low frequencies.

I find this positive, because it also permits the trouble-free connection of tube amplifiers from about 20 watts; the given efficiency of 92 decibels is a rather optimistic point. It should not mislead from the fact that a stable “amplifier achievement” is clearly more than 20 watt, and simply increases the dynamic of the loudspeakers. Otherwise the Piazzetta, in practice, corresponds to the requirements of all other all-round emitters. Even better: practically all loudspeakers.

If the space where the loudspeakers are going to be positioned sounds relatively good - for example, one can talk and be easily understood - so will a BV speaker. Still they should, for whatever reason, always be positioned directly before a sound-hard surface, possibly a big window or naked wall surface, and one should think about diffusers, such as a large-scale leafy plant or a well stocked book shelf in order to integrate the prominent sound reflection more harmoniously into the whole arena.

In most cases the Piazzetta will be able to run in your sitting room; choose a moderate distance to the back wall (may also be freely located in the space, although BV do not recommend this), have good electronics that are well-arranged and enjoy! Aaaaaaahhh, there it is again, the relaxed, uncomplicated access to the music. Distinct monitor fans will need a while (unless they have forgotten already) to get used to the typical more unobtrusive sound picture of a good all-round emitter.

Those whose approach is open to the technology will dive, along with the BV Piazzetta, easily into the music. Razor-sharp high tonal outputs represent a full stage choir effortlessly and belong to the very domain in which these elegant speakers exist.

Nevertheless, all notes flow so naturally into the sitting room and into the ear of the listener; who by the way, may also sit on the edge of the sweetspot and still enjoy very pleasing music. In addition, the fact that the Subwoofer does not run continuously, only striking when required is a great joy. When the lowest frequencies are required, then the potent Subwoofer comes fully to assist.

Indeed, the Piazzetta exudes all the enticing charms of the best Omni-directional I have heard, never suggestive and everywhere transparent. Their complete vote has a special, fine, feel for voices and melody-leading instruments, however, careless positioning only rounds the distinguished appearance of the Piazzettas.

Certainly, what we have to do here is take stock. Naturally an Omni Directional speaker is no ice-cold hardcore monitor, and it most certainly does not want to be. The Piazzetta stands fresh and courageously on unconventional ground - and can deliver better music hearing for a hundred incredibly demanding listeners than just one lucky individual that has located a sweetspot. The fact that our model is still looking so damn good should not influence either, and neither should the fact that, for once, I have a speaker with a high wife acceptance factor – for the BV Piazzetta represents a superb omni directional package.

The company inside BV calls this loudspeaker the BV HF3003. However, "Bolzano Villetri Campanile Piazzetta" not only sounds better – but it paints the correct image for the sound experience you are about to be immersed in – enjoy!