It's a great smoker. I use the balsa filters with it but you don't have to. A sample pack came with mine, but you can by like 300 for under 20. Savenelli also provides with it a tube to use if you choose against filters. Buy it!
My Savinelli's smoke just fine without the filter or insert, though I usually use the balsa filter. That's a good looking pipe and, being a Savinelli, I don't think you could go wrong.
I love my Savinelli pipes; one being a 111KS Toscana and it smokes great. I have used the balsa filters, the insert and without, and the pipes smoke great anyway you smoke them.