Loewe extends its 4K range with new Reference Ultra HD TV line-up

This is the new Reference series 4K TV from German manufacturer Loewe, and it's packed with high-tech features. Inside the minimalist design is an eight-speaker, 120W sound system, a 1TB hard drive for pausing, recording and archiving content, Bluetooth and DLNA connectivity as well as a Dolby/DTS decoder.

There's an iOS/Android smartphone app for remote recording to the hard drive, and a 'second screen' tablet app for viewing content from the TV on your portable device.

The on-screen user interface has a customisable homepage and you can buy the TV in aluminium black, aluminium silver, high-gloss white or dark gold. A motorised floor stand is optional.

MORE: 4K TV, Ultra HD: everything you need to know

An anti-reflective, high contrast glass filter panel, developed especially for the Reference range, "contributes significantly to the TV's superior picture quality", claims Loewe. Additional features include HDMI 2.0, HDCP 2.2 and an HEVC decoder for handling 4K content.

A built-in soundbar with front and rear drivers delivers "virtual 3D surround sound" without the need for additional external speakers, says Loewe. If the customer does want to add a 5.1 system, the soundbar can act as the centre speaker.

The hard drive can act as a PVR, and content on it can be accessed by other Loewe TV sets in the home, a feature known as DR+ streaming.

The set is initially available with a 55in screen for £3800; Loewe says it will add 85in and 75in Reference models to the line-up in August and September respectively.

They join existing 4K models in the Loewe range, including the Art series (starting at £1299 for 40in) and Connect models (starting at £1999 for 40in). An all-new flagship, the Masterpiece, is expected to join them towards the end of this year.

MORE: Loewe launches first 4K TVs

Andy Clough

Andy is Global Brand Director of What Hi-Fi? and has been a technology journalist for 30 years. During that time he has covered everything from VHS and Betamax, MiniDisc and DCC to CDi, Laserdisc and 3D TV, and any number of other formats that have come and gone. He loves nothing better than a good old format war. Andy edited several hi-fi and home cinema magazines before relaunching whathifi.com in 2008 and helping turn it into the global success it is today. When not listening to music or watching TV, he spends far too much of his time reading about cars he can't afford to buy.