High-end German AV brand Loewe is applying its premium touch to some pint-sized 4K TVs, launching two new models designed to offer a top-notch picture, without taking up too much space.

The We. SEE LCD dc (the dc stands for dual channel) comes in two sizes: 32- and 43-inches. As the name suggests, both sizes feature direct-lit LCD displays with full-array local dimming and 4K resolutions.

Loewe tells us that the 32-inch model features 260 dimming zones. Alongside it, the 43-inch version has 390 zones.

Small, 32-inch, 4K TVs are very rare. Loewe claims the atypically high-resolution panel will let the set deliver picture quality traditionally reserved for larger sets.

The We. SEE LCD is slated to deliver "deep blacks, vivid colours and finely tuned brightness control" according to Loewe. HDR support is also comprehensive, with HDR10, HLG and Dolby Vision IQ listed as included formats.

Below the dinky displays, you'll find an integrated 60W soundbar, which also supports Dolby Atmos.

The We. SEE LCD is also compatible with Loewe's Klang wireless subwoofers for those seeking extra bass, or you can bypass the built-in speakers entirely by connecting an external audio device via HDMI eARC.

The TVs are also surprisingly well-equipped for gamers, with two HDMI 2.1 sockets (alongside two HDMI 2.0 ports), which both support VRR and ALLM. The 43-inch model specifically includes 4K/120Hz support. Sadly, the 32-inch model appears to be capped at 60Hz.

Streaming is handled by Loewe's os9 platform, which is underpinned by the VIDAA app store (as seen on Hisense TVs too). App support includes Netflix, Apple TV+, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video and more.

Loewe has also included its dual-channel technology, which takes advantage of the company's SL832 chassis and twin triple-tuner, to let users watch a show while recording another in the background.

You can also expect Loewe's usual combination of premium materials and craftsmanship. The We. SEE sports an aluminium chassis and a solid metal base for a high-quality and robust build throughout.

There are also various options to mount this TV, including tabletop, floor-standing and wall-mounted orientations. Loewe sells a range of stands to accommodate each setup option.

As these new models bear all of the expected markings of a Loewe TV, it should come as no surprise that they carry an equally Loewe-like price tag. At £1145 for the 32-inch model and £1335 for the 43-inch version, the prices put the range in the same ballpark as a 55-inch LG C6 OLED TV.

That price can be a tough pill to swallow for what is essentially a small backlit TV. Nevertheless, the We. SEE LCD dc is available now for any premium buyer who is short on space.

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German TV maker Loewe is taking over French speaker-specialist Cabasse in order to supercharge its own audio offerings.

Cabasse’s speakers are best described as French fancies: swirling designs such as The Pearl and La Sphère Evo with audiophile-grade sound to match. But it does make more affordable products, too, such as the Swell portable speaker and the Pearl Akoya.

Loewe is best known for its high-end designer-y TVs such as the Stellar, but it also makes headphones, soundbars, multi-room speakers, radios and, er, coffee machines. It is also rolling out its TVs in the US market.

With a similar focus on aesthetics, the two brands seem well matched. The deal is a “strategic partnership” which will see Cabasse continue to operate independently under its own name.

Loewe will invest in Cabasse’s “talent, infrastructure and product development” while providing some sales and marketing heft. Because of its wider range of products, Loewe is the better known of the two brands outside hi-fi circles.

Loewe will also acquire Cabasse’s proprietary technology, including its loudspeaker designs, digital-signal processing (DSP) and portfolio of patents. Loewe will use these to “develop a new generation of high-end audiovisual products” under its own name.

Expect luxury home cinema and multi-room systems, wireless speakers, “advanced customisation and sound optimisation technologies” and Cabasse’s acoustic calibration technology to be found in Loewe’s audio products.

“Joining Loewe marks a new chapter in our history,” said Arnaud Hendoux, Cabasse’s deputy CEO. “We will continue to innovate from [our HQ in] Brest, true to our heritage, while benefitting from a powerful international platform to accelerate our development.”

Loewe’s audio products have kept a fairly low profile in the UK so far. Can this acquisition propel it into the same league as Marantz, Audio Pro, Bowers & Wilkins, Wharfedale and KEF? We’ll have to wait and see.

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German AV brand Loewe has released a range of 4K smart TVs that it claims will combine “advanced picture technologies with an elegant, space-saving design.”

The high-end LED Loewe Vega series targets cash-flush people living in compact spaces, and is available in both 32 and 43 inches. The smaller LCD TV model features 260 LED dimming zones, while the larger screen size boasts 390 zones.

What’s more, the 43-inch TV features a 120Hz VA LCD panel, while the 32-inch model has a 60Hz panel.

With support for a range of HDR formats, including Dolby Vision, Loewe says the models “deliver high brightness, strong contrast, and vibrant, natural colours, ensuring consistent image quality and smooth motion for TV”.

Both TVs run the Vidaa TV platform, giving you access to streaming services including Netflix, YouTube, Disney+ and Apple TV.

In terms of audio, the Vega series features an integrated Dolby Atmos soundbar with 60 watts of Class-D amplification. If you want to hook your own sound system up, there is HDMI eARC connectivity and Bluetooth as well.

From what we've seen, both feature a stylish design as well, featuring an aluminium frame and a rotatable metal table stand with a chrome finish.

The Vega models won’t come cheap, however. With availability expected later this month in the UK, the Vega series is set to cost £1650 for the 32-inch size and £1900 for the 43-inch model.

Even some of the more premium OLED TVs at this size don't match this price, namely the Award-winning 42-inch LG C5, which is available for around £949.

That means there's not really a direct comparison, as Loewe is clearly gunning for the high end of the small TV market. Still, its more premium design and smaller size offerings may well appeal to style-conscious buyers short on space.

In terms of its picture and sound quality, though, we will have to wait until we get it in our test room to find out how it performs.

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The US has been spoilt for choice when it comes to OLED TVs, and it's about to get yet another option in the form of this luxury German brand.

Loewe, the company that hand-builds its TVs in Kronach, has announced that it will be expanding its operations into the US, with an official rollout expected to begin in January 2026.

The design-focused AV brand, which recently launched a TV with a unique concrete-clad design (you can read our Loewe Stellar hands-on review here), will increase its presence at US-facing events, including an appearance at CES in a few weeks.

It hasn't confirmed any specifics regarding what it will bring to the US, and considering it has a full range of OLED and LCD TVs, as well as soundbars, subwoofers, speakers and, most recently, wireless noise-cancelling headphones, there is a lot to choose from.

We've reached out to Loewe to confirm if it plans on launching its full range of products, or a select lineup, in the US next year.

It appears confident with its expansion into the US, with its owner and CEO, Aslan Khabliev, stating, "This U.S. debut marks not just an expansion, but the beginning of a long-term commitment to growth, innovation, and customer experience in one of the world’s most dynamic markets".

Loewe's pricey portfolio will only appeal to a select demographic in the US, and it's targeting "discerning US consumers", according to the company's new General Manager for North America, Jeff Costello.

Considering that the brand currently sells a £30,000 97-inch OLED TV, this should come as no surprise.

However, with a confident approach and a potentially wide selection of products to bring into a new market, Loewe could win the hearts of American AV enthusiasts with deep pockets.

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Loewe is entering the fiercely competitive world of wireless over-ear headphones with the high-end Loewe Leo.

While the German brand is better known for its premium range of TVs, some of which come encased in concrete, the new Loewe Leo wireless headphones are billed as a "standalone hi-fi audio solution". With its high-end price tag, it aims to take on some of the biggest rivals in this corner of the market, including Apple, Bowers & Wilkins, Focal, Mark Levinson and more.

The Leo cans pack 50mm drivers with a diaphragm constructed using 'Olefin Composite Elastomer' (OCE), a lightweight and durable material which Loewe claims delivers "superior sound", with "clear vocals, detailed highs" and a "smooth, controlled bass".

High-resolution audio up to 24-bit/96kHz is supported thanks to the LC3+ codec, and you can further customise the sound with the "Mimi Sound Personalisation" test in the Loewe app. We've experienced this feature before, and it tailors the audio to your specific hearing profile with a series of audio tests for a bespoke audio experience.

Bluetooth LE Audio, spatial audio powered by Dolby Atmos, and multipoint connection are on board. Even an AI-powered live translation feature is available – it will be interesting to find out how this feature fares compared with the very hyped Apple Intelligence-powered AirPods Pro 3's live translation feature.

The Leo headphones feature Adaptive Active Noise Cancellation, which adjusts the noise levels in real time according to your surrounding conditions. Battery life is a fairly impressive 65 hours with ANC switched off.

There are physical controls on the headphones, along with a tactile rotary control wheel around the earcap, and a USB-C port. There are two cables included in the box, one USB-C to USB-C, and USB-C to 3.5mm audio, so we are hopeful that lossless wired listening is on the cards – we have asked Loewe to confirm.

The headphones are designed with sustainability in mind, and elements can be repaired, replaced and upgraded to keep the headphones in play for many years to come. The Leo's construction features an anodised aluminium frame and real leather ear cushions; they can fold flat and come with a protective carrying case for portable use.

The Loewe Leo headphones are available in either Midnight Blue or Moonlight Beige finishes, and are priced at £1299 / €1299. At this high-end price, Loewe goes beyond the B&W Px8 and Apple AirPods Max, with stiff competition coming from two superb five-star rivals: the excellent new Focal Bathys Mg (£999 / $1299 / AU$2300) and the stunning T+A Solitaire T (£1200 / $1600 / AU$2160).

Loewe is clearly aiming right for the top with its first-ever wireless headphones, and we are curious to find out how they fare once we get a review sample.

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Premium German AV brand Loewe has announced the latest addition to its luxury OLED TV lineup, and it's a spin on a TV trend we are seeing more and more these days.

Introducing the 97-inch Stellar, a new screen size for the company's existing flagship TV range. It joins the already available 42-, 48-, 55-, 65-, 77- and 83-inch versions of the Stellar, which we called "one of the most unusual TVs we've seen" when it was unveiled last year, on account of its unique concrete rear panel.

Loewe's new flagship TV is engineered and assembled at its manufacturing plant in its home town of Kronach. It has a premium aluminium chassis and brushed aluminium bezel for a stylish look and solid build.

It also features the magic.light system that launched with the Stellar. This light bar runs along the bottom edge of the TV for an ambient glow, and it can be customised with a range of different colours. Unlike Philips' Ambilight system, it does not react to what's happening on screen, but it does offer a pleasing welcome and goodbye animation.

Other design-led features include a concealed connection panel with cable management built in, and a hidden wall-mounting bracket which allows users to mount their TV flush against a wall for a sleek and modern look.

Unlike the core sizes in this range, the 97-inch Stellar does not sport a Micro Lens Array panel. Instead, it uses a 4K WOLED display – to be expected at this size. Loewe boasts of a strong relationship with LG Display, as it purchases the open-cell OLED panels in order to adjust the manufacturing process to suit its high standards.

The 97-inch Stellar is set to deliver "an exceptional visual performance with peak brightness, extraordinary contrast, and astonishing detail" with support for Dolby Vision IQ also on board.

It appears to be powered by Hisense's Vidaa smart platform, with Loewe's os9 platform running on top. It supports a wide range of streaming services, including Netflix, Disney Plus and Apple TV+, as well as cloud gaming applications such as Blacknut and Boosteroid. There is also an art mode for displaying artwork, and Loewe is proud of the customisability of this operating system.

AI is even mentioned, with AI-backed content recommendations and AI comfort features also referenced, though we're not entirely sure what they do quite yet.

As this is a premium OLED TV from Loewe, we expect a substantial price tag to match. While we don't have UK pricing quite yet, the 97-inch Stellar will be officially priced at a whopping €29,999 when it launches later this month.

Using the power of currency conversion, we make that out to be approximately £26,000 / $35,000 / AU$54,000. Better get saving.

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Loewe has unveiled two new premium passive speakers at High End Munich in the form of the Grand Inicio and Inicio models – both available as limited edition, made-to-order pieces.

Described by Loewe as "tailor-made sound sculptures," the limited edition speakers are, according to the press release, designed to fill rooms "not only with music, but with personality."

The larger, aptly named Grand Inicio is a two-way floor-standing speaker featuring a bass reflex system that aims to deliver dynamic bass, vocal clarity and a wide, immersive soundstage.

The solid aluminium stands have been designed with stability in mind and to decouple the speakers from the floor to minimise vibrations. The cabinets themselves are crafted from high-quality Fractal Walnut with rather striking titanium accents.

Elsewhere, the Inicio is a compact two-way bookshelf speaker setup with a sealed cabinet, sharing the design aesthetic of its larger floorstanding sibling. Despite its smaller footprint, Loewe claims it delivers "impressively precise sound with outstanding bass and finely nuanced dynamics."

Both speakers feature Purifi USHINDI drivers with Ultra Low Distortion Technology that aims to virtually eliminate distortion.

Advanced Air Motion Transformer Technology combines with aluminium waveguides and powerful neodymium magnets to provide precise and immersive audio.

Tech specs include frequency ranges of 35–22,000 Hz for the grand inicio and 45–22,000 Hz for the Inicio, with power handling capabilities of 400 watts and 200 watts, respectively. Both models also support bi-wiring and bi-amping, should your system be set up for it.

As for pricing, the Loewe Grand Inicio will set you back £9999 per pair, while the Inicio starts at £4999 per pair. Both models will be available directly from Loewe upon request starting May 2025. Pricing for other regions, including the US and Australia, has not been announced at the time of writing.

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Premium German AV and lifestyle brand Loewe has announced the release of We. BOOST, its new wireless Dolby Atmos home theatre sound system – and it could be a competitor for Sony's Bravia Theatre Quad system.

Priced at £999 and set to be available at selected retailers from June, the package is made up of four wireless active satellite speakers and a subwoofer. The speaker configuration also supports a range of Dolby audio formats, including Dolby Atmos, to create a sense of 3D sound thanks to its upwards-firing speakers.

Loewe says it has a 4.1.2 speaker configuration, but a closer look indicates it has four upward-firing drivers (one in each satellite speaker) instead of two. We have reached out to Loewe for clarification.

Perhaps surprisingly, this system could perk the ears of football fans as well as AV nerds. That’s because French football captain Kylian Mbappé partially owns the brand. He has previously partnered with Loewe for the release of the We. HEAR Pro Bluetooth speaker.

There’s good news for those squinting in the dark to try to turn the volume up (we’ve all been there), as the remote control has an integrated OLED display for individual adjustment of bass, treble, and various sound modes, as well as energy-saving Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) connectivity. The “effortless to set-up” 720 watts system uses a wireless signal via an included HDMI eARC dongle.

While Loewe has a wide range of TVs (and a projector) in its lineup, this system is compatible with TVs and projectors from other manufacturers.

We're yet to test this system, but it has the possibility of being a premium sound package worth considering, due to one key feature.

When we tested the Sony Bravia Theatre Quad, for example, our main criticism was its bass-light performance and lack of a subwoofer, which, when paired with a hefty price tag, ultimately let it down.

Loewe has cleverly opted to include a subwoofer with the We. BOOST system, which should negate the low-end issue we faced with the Quads – making this new wireless Dolby Atmos system one to watch.

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Premium German AV brand Loewe has unveiled its first projector, and it's joining the likes of Xgimi, LG and Philips in the rapidly expanding portable projector market. The We. BEAM is a compact unit that can supposedly "deliver a cinematic experience to rival the silver screen".

The Loewe We. BEAM can project a Full HD HDR image from 40 to 120 inches, with automatic picture adjustment features including alignment and keystone, meaning this portable beamer can easily adapt to a range of environments. Loewe also makes note of the Laser Phosphor Display Technology which can deliver "brilliant brightness and unparalleled light efficiency" for a vibrant and vivid image. 

The We. BEAM also includes Loewe OS built-in, meaning you can stream directly from the projector without having to plug a media streamer into the single HDMI socket. The smart system supports Netflix, Apple TV+, Disney Plus, and more, and you can stream from a smartphone or tablet via Miracast. 

As for sound, the We. BEAM includes a 10W stereo speaker system, though you can connect wireless speakers over Bluetooth, or wired speakers or soundbars via HDMI ARC or the 3.5mm headphone jack. The projector can either be powered by the included power supply cable or via USB-C, meaning you can pair it with a power bank for full portable convenience.

In true Loewe fashion, the styling of this unit has been carefully considered, with a storm grey acoustic fabric covering and a hidden vent on the bottom of the chassis for cooling. It also carries the expected Loewe premium price tag; it's now available to order from select retailers including Richer Sounds, for £849 (around £1150 / AU$1650). That puts it comfortably above the recently released Xgimi MoGo 3 Pro (£419) and Philips NeoPix 750 (£349), but in line with the equally stylish LG's CineBeam Q (£850). 

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As well as the best projector deals

LG's display arm has agreed to sell its LCD factory so it can focus on producing OLED screens. LG Display is negotiating with a subsidiary of rival TV maker TCL for the sale of its LCD plant in Guangzhou, China, The Korea Times reports.

Negotiations with China Star Optoelectronics Technology (CSOT) are yet to begin, but the deal is expected to earn LG Display between 1 trillion won and 2 trillion won ($737 million to $1.47 billion).

LCD models still make up the majority of the global TV market. But the LCD side of the business has been blamed for holding back LG Display's profits recently. The company has been scaling back its LCD business to focus on higher-value added products like OLED, in which it is a market leader. 

LG Display provides OLED panels for companies like Sony, Panasonic, Philips, Loewe and of course LG Electronics for the likes of the LG G4 (pictured). It doesn't just provide OLED panels for TVs, but for smaller devices too, like smartphones and smart watches. In recent years, Apple's iPhones and the iPad Pro have adopted the use of OLED technology for their screens.

The LCD market has seen heated competition lately, with Chinese companies producing ever-cheaper TV models. In 2020, CSOT acquired Samsung Display's LCD plant in Suzhou, China.

LG Display hasn't yet said how it will use the funds of the sale. In an earnings call on 25th July, Chief Financial Officer Kim Sung-hyun said it is currently weighing up its options, and "will share how the proceeds from the sale will be used once the deal is finalised".

Given that China's BOE and Samsung Display have both invested heavily in OLED technologies, it's highly likely that LG Display will do the same. It's thought to be setting up production lines for small- and mid-size 8.6-generation OLED products, which are more efficient than larger OLEDs.

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Samsung has announced that its Tizen operating system will be used in Loewe's new flagship TV, the Stellar, which launched across Europe on 15th July. 

Samsung's Tizen OS is based on the latest Tizen licensing platform and offers a wide variety of useful features. This includes access to Samsung TV Plus streaming services, Samsung Gaming Hub, and SmartThings to control other Samsung devices around your home. 

The new Stellar TV model replaces the Bild S in Loewe's current lineup. It represents a major step forward for the brand as the larger Stellar models between 55 and 83 inches will feature Micro Lens Array (MLA) brightness-boosting tech, seen in other TVs like the LG G4.

Recently Loewe announced that it is the first TV manufacturer in the world to purchase open-cell WRBG OLED panels from LG Display, rather than buying finished panels. This decision allows Loewe and its production facilities in Kronach, Germany to be more flexible regarding customisation options, such as integrating heatsinks and power supplies.

They also choose a rather unique stone backing material for the new TV, which Loewe says is 100 per cent real concrete.

In our hands-on review of the Stellar, which was not held in test conditions, we saw some brief demo reels which showed off how noticeably bright and crisp the 55-inch model looked. We also thought that the TV handled colour vibrancy and contrast well, however, we'll know what the TV is truly capable of once we have it in our test room. 

Loewe claims that the META OLED panel will reach 3000 nits, roughly the same as figures claimed by other TV manufacturers who are using the second-generation Micro Lens Array tech this year. 

The Stellar supports Dolby Vision HDR and all four HDMI sockets are the HDMI 2.1 standard, with support for 4K/120Hz gaming with VRR and ALLM. It also supports both Dolby Atmos and DTS Play-Fi with wireless connectivity support for Loewe's wireless home cinema speakers. 

Loewe's current plan is to initially release the 42- and 55-inch versions, with the 48-, 65-, 77-, 83- and 97-inch models set to arrive later this year. The price of the 97-inch model is yet to be revealed, but it's quite clear it won't be cheap. 

Pricing is as follows:

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Loewe's track record of super premium, designed-focused TVs is predominantly aimed at the high-end consumer, which means we often don't find ourselves taking extended looks at its TVs. The company seems to be changing tact with its new lineup, which has a more diverse range, including an "affordable" entry-level OLED, as well as a few premium interim models that are reminiscent of the existing Bild I and Bild V models.

However, we're here to look at the brand's latest flagship model, and it's easily one of the most unusual TVs I've ever seen. The Stellar, Loewe's latest super-premium model, is an all-new effort built from the ground up with Loewe's trademark design flair and its new MLA OLED panels that it manufactures in-house at its factory in Kronach, Germany.

I was introduced to an early prototype of this set during a visit to Loewe's production plant earlier this year, with a follow-up visit to Berlin, where the company had multiple working units in a variety of sizes. So what do I think of this new concrete-clad flagship TV? We'll have to wait until the Stellar graces our dedicated TV testing room to answer that question fully, but for now here are my initial impressions.

Price and design

While these two factors don't usually play a predominant role in many of the TV reviews we conduct, Loewe is a design-focused brand at heart that attaches premium price tags to its TVs, so they're important points to cover. It's worth noting here that Loewe only sells its TVs in the UK and European markets, so you won't find US or Australian pricing here.

Available in sizes ranging from 42- to 97-inches, the suggested pricing for the Loewe Stellar is as follows:

Loewe currently plans on releasing the 42- and 55-inch variants initially, with the 48-, 65-, 77-, 83- and 97-inch models going on sale later this year. Pricing is yet to be revealed for the 97-inch model, but it's safe to say it will not be cheap.

Onto the design of the Stellar, and this is where Loewe's expertise shines. If I'm being truthful, I found the design polarising at first, but seeing the refined finished version won me over to a greater extent. It won't be to everyone's taste but it certainly adheres to Loewe's established premium design language. 

The build of this TV is predominantly high-grade brushed aluminium, with a bevelled metallic border that frames the entirety of the TV. The "X" shaped metallic tabletop stand is also made of brushed aluminium material, and it can rotate which is a huge bonus for functionality. 

Below the screen is a black mesh which covers the front-facing speaker system with a centrally mounted "Loewe Eye". This trademark feature is used as an indicator light to display when the TV is in standby mode or switched on predominantly and it features a pleasing animation that syncs up with when the TV is switched on or off.

This is joined by a light bar that lines the bottom edge of this TV which also includes the open/close animation when the TV is switched on or off. Not to be confused with Philips' Ambilight system, this is a static bar that can be set to a single colour (default is a warm white) that is instead used as an ambient accent light. 

I saw the light cycle between practically every colour imaginable, and it can also be switched off if desired – I was glad to see this as I wasn't a huge fan of this in practice, as it's by no means as functional as Ambilight, so it feels like it could be unnecessary light pollution. Loewe did point out a good feature though, in that the light stays on for a brief period after switching your TV off which means you can exit a dark room with ample visibility. 

Finally, we have the most polarising design feature of the Stellar TV. This TV has a real concrete back, meaning a thin layer of stone adorns the rear of this unit. Loewe has confirmed that the manufacturing process means that every TV will be individual, as the concrete pouring process cannot be replicated perfectly each and every time. It's undoubtedly a unique look, but considering most people have their TVs with the back facing a wall, I'm not entirely sure I see the benefit of this design choice.

Loewe does sell a variety of compatible floor stands and even a pole-style floor-to-ceiling stand, so this TV can be placed with the rear panel visible if your room allows it, but nonetheless this design choice won't be to everyone's taste. 

Features

Concrete isn't the only big news, as Loewe is using another unique manufacturing process with the Stellar. It's going to become the only TV manufacturer outside of Asia to assemble its own OLED panels, and they're not just any old panels. These are META OLED displays with Micro Lens Array technology, the same brightness-boosting tech we've seen in the LG G3, Philips OLED908 and Panasonic MZ2000 last year and the G4, OLED909 and Z95A from those respective manufacturers which are set to be released later this year. 

Loewe's plan is to purchase the open-cell panels from an unnamed vendor (we have a good idea who this could be) and assemble them in-house. This allows them to customise the performance of the display and choose how to mount it into the frame of the TV; hence the concrete rear panel. It should be noted here that not all sizes of the Loewe Stellar will receive the MLA screen technology, as the panels are still mass-produced at specific sizes between 55 and 83 inches. That means the smallest 42- and 48-inch models will feature a regular WOLED panel, as does the largest 97-inch model.

It's a 4K resolution panel (as to be expected) with support for Dolby Vision HDR, and Loewe is finally getting with the times and adding support for 120Hz refresh rates. Better yet all four HDMI sockets on this TV are the HDMI 2.1 standard with support for full 48GB bandwidth signals, meaning 4K/120Hz gaming with VRR and ALLM are all possible. Loewe attributes this to the new Novatek chipset inside, which we've seen on a small handful of other TVs, including Philips' cheapest 2024 OLED model. 

This is a pretty major deal, as even the biggest manufacturers such as Sony, Panasonic, Philips, Hisense and TCL can only seem to manage with two HDMI 2.1 sockets, so seeing a niche brand solve this issue before they did should put this into perspective. However, it should be noted that the Novatek processor doesn't appear to be as powerful as the Mediatek Pentonic 1000 chip that's used in the TVs made by the aforementioned brands, which could have a knock-on effect on picture quality. 

Picture

Here is where we have to caveat that the conditions we saw the Stellar in were by no means suitable for testing, so any final judgements will be made after this TV has been tested in our controlled AV room. I saw this TV in a large hotel conference room, with a metric ton of ambient light and lots of other people walking around, so it was by all accounts not the best way to view the TV.

That being said, I did get to see the Stellar in action in both the 42-inch and 55-inch sizes with a brief demo reel on repeat which allowed me to gather some initial thoughts. In the MLA-touting 55-inch size, the Stellar was noticeably bright and crisp. A shot of the TV sitting in a modern upscale living room with light pouring in through the windows looked bold and vibrant, and contrast seemed impressive when said scene transitioned into a nighttime version. 

The smaller model does sacrifice a touch of brightness thanks to the fact it lacks the Micro Lens Array layer, however, it remains crisp and vibrant with deep blacks during the same showreel as seen on the 55-inch model.

Sound

As is the case with practically every TV event, listening to these TVs with a critical ear is nigh on impossible. I'll keep it short and sweet, the Stellar was muted during the event, and the amount of ambient noise in the room would have impacted any sound performance testing anyway.

Loewe claims that the Stellar features a sound system with up to 200W of power (presumably this is the figure given for the largest model) and it says that it produces a "mighty sound that’s rich and precise". This TV is also set to include support for Dolby Atmos immersive audio too.

Early verdict 

It's too early to make a call on the Stellar, and truthfully speaking that case might remain. Judging TVs such as this one is incredibly tricky, as they only really appeal to a certain demographic. Convincing someone to spend over double the price of a 42-inch LG C4 for a TV that likely uses the same panel with Loewe's added design and feature flairs is no easy task.

However, viewing this TV as a statement piece instead makes more sense. This luxury product won't suit everybody's style or budget, but in isolation, it's a unique and intriguing TV that will certainly turn heads. 

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Premium German TV and AV brand Loewe has unveiled its bold new flagship OLED TV for 2024. Introducing the Loewe Stellar, which will replace the Build S in the company's current lineup. This TV is a major step forward for Loewe, as it will be the first to use the Micro Lens Array (MLA) OLED panels that it will manufacture in its production plant in Kronach, Germany. 

By purchasing these units open cell and manufacturing them in-house, Loewe has been able to choose how it wants to mount the display within the frame of the TV. This has allowed for the unique stone backing material, which Loewe has assured us is 100 per cent real concrete. Better yet, each TV will be individual as the manufacturing process in which the concrete is poured will deliver a slightly different pattern each time.

There is also an ambient light bar that runs along the bottom edge of the TV. While it doesn't follow content like on Philips Ambilight TVs, it can be used as an ambient mood light, and it even has a pleasing animation that opens and closes when you turn the TV on or off. Around the edge of the TV is a brushed aluminium border which looks suitably premium, while the cross-shaped stand is made of the same material and it can rotate too. 

It looks to be well equipped in the picture department too. Loewe claims that the META OLED panel will reach 3000 nits which is roughly in line with what we've heard from other TV manufacturers this year who are using the second-generation Micro Lens Array. MLA is still only available in select sizes, meaning only the core 55-, 65-, 77- and 83-inch models will receive the upgraded OLED tech. The Stellar also supports Dolby Vision HDR and, for the first time in Loewe's lineup, 4K/120Hz gaming is supported. All four HDMI sockets on the Stellar are the HDMI 2.1 standard, with support for 4K/120Hz gaming with VRR and ALLM.

Sound-wise, Loewe hasn't been particularly forthcoming with details regarding the sound system in this TV, only stating that it reaches 200W (we presume at the largest size). It does support both Dolby Atmos and DTS Play-Fi though, with wireless connectivity support for Loewe's range of wireless home cinema speakers. 

Now, this is a Loewe TV, so a hefty price tag is to be expected. This TV comes in 42, 48-, 55-, 65-, 77-, 83-, and 97-inch sizes, with prices starting at £3299 / €3299 for the smallest 42-inch variant. That's likely to put a strain on your wallet, especially considering that's over double the price of the LG C4. At the top end of the scale, the 83-inch model will set you back a whopping £18,999 / €19,999, while the 97-inch model is yet to receive an RRP. Loewe only plans on selling this in the UK and select European markets, hence the absent US and Australian pricing. 

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High-end TV manufacturer Loewe has announced the opening of an OLED panel production plant in its home town of Kronach, Germany. The century-old TV brand is promoting its "Engineered & Made in Germany" message, with the aim of having a hand in every step of its OLED TV production process.

Unsurprisingly, Loewe isn't manufacturing OLED panels entirely from scratch, but it is taking the apparently unique approach of buying the OLED glass and 'open cell components'  from an unnamed Korean OLED display vendor (no points for guessing who it might be). Most brands, we're told, buy the full OLED assembly (usually from the same vendor, one presumes).

Loewe says the intention here is to be able to further customise panel performance and allow the brand to 'readily adapt to market conditions' and 'proactively integrate customer feedback'. 

As of May 2024, Loewe claims that everything from the design to the software development and final assembly of its TVs will take place in Kronach, with an even greater emphasis on the brand's heritage and links to the area. While it might be easy to visualise a large-scale production plant, Loewe's relatively compact and dedicated workforce of 200 employees will play an integral part in the OLED panel production.

Loewe assures us that every step of the manufacturing process will be completed with precision equipment and strict testing procedures to ensure 'absolute perfection down to the finest details'.

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Read our full Loewe Bild i.55 review

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Established German audio brand Loewe has unveiled its new portable DAB+ radio to commemorate the company's humble beginnings a century ago. Designed in part as a tribute to the brand's very first radio unit, the OE 333 radio receiver, the new Loewe radio.frequency (yes, that's its name) commemorates 100 years since brothers Siegmund and David L. Loewe founded the company as Radio Frequenz Gmbh in Berlin in 1923. Time flies.

The new unit comes equipped with a host of radio listening options across FM, DAB and DAB+. Using what Loewe describes as "state of the art technology", the radio.frequency boasts 28 watts of power driving two full-range speakers and a passive bass radiator for "first-class clear, precise and well-rounded sound". 

A streaming radio capable of playing your favourite tracks over Bluetooth, the latest Loewe radio also comes equipped with a wake-up alarm and snooze function so you're never late for work. In theory, at least.

It looks suitably classy, too, with a subtle, understated design that you feel would nestle comfortably into almost any home or environment without ever seeming out of place. Constructed from high-quality materials and boasting a central 66mm LCD display, the radio.frequency has a few subtle nods to the original Loewe OE333, with attractive oak wood inlays atop basalt-coloured acoustic fabric. It's portable, too, and can provide up to 14 hours of listening time on the go.

It's been a while since we properly reviewed a Loewe-designed radio, but with the new radio.frequency returning the German company to its roots, that could be about to change. If it sounds as good as it looks, the century-celebrating portable could certainly be one to watch.

The Loewe radio.frequency is available now at a price of £199 (further prices pending), putting it in competition with the likes of the Roberts Revival Uno BT (£150) and the Roberts Stream 94L (£200).

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Luxury lifestyle technology brand Loewe has launched its biggest OLED TV yet, and it has an equally large price tag to match. The bild i.77 dr+ is a 77-inch OLED that features an impressive spec list and Loewe's signature luxury design, but is it a good TV?

Starting with the panel, it appears to be a standard OLED likely from LG Display. It supports HDR10, Dolby Vision and HLG as well as a 4K resolution, all fairly standard affairs; we, in fact, wouldn't be surprised if it is the same panel found in either last year's LG G2 or this year's LG C3. That being said, many TVs share panels but offer different performances, and Loewe is promising high contrast and a wide colour spectrum, resulting in a "natural, harmonious picture with pinpoint accuracy."

Moving onto the TV's sound, there is a hidden soundbar built into the TV's frame, although Loewe hasn't shared much regarding the speaker arrangement of performance. It instead points to its existing range of home cinema speakers and soundbars, including the 553, 551 and Klang series of soundbars and subwoofers. What we do know is that the TV has an eARC connection and that it supports Dolby Atmos, meaning it'll play nicely with any Dolby Atmos soundbar that you hook it up to. 

It also features an impressive list of wireless music connectivity options, including Apple AirPlay, DTS Play-Fi and Google Chromecast, which means it can be integrated into a Loewe Klang mr multiroom speaker system if you have one. 

Speaking of features, the TV comes with a 1TB hard drive built in, which allows you to pause, rewind and record live TV natively. You also get voice controls via the microphones on the remote, meaning you can open apps and navigate the system without lifting a finger. Loewe has also included all the important native apps that we like to see on modern smart TVs, like Netflix, Disney Plus, Apple TV and Amazon Prime Video.

Rounding things off with arguably the biggest reason to opt for a Loewe TV, is the unique design. Loewe TVs are all about style, and the bild i.77 dr+ is no exception; featuring a design that impresses in a full 360 degree view. The back panel is lacquered and adorned with fabric-covered, and there's even a magnetic cable routing cover so no ugly wires can distract from the TV's admittedly sleek and attractive build. It's also very versatile when it comes to installation, as it can be mounted flush to a wall with Loewe's tiltable wall mount, set free standing using a pedestal-style floor stand, or placed on a floor-to-ceiling style pole stand which can be height adjusted to fit various room sizes.

So, we mentioned the price earlier, but how much will it cost exactly? Brace yourselves; the Loewe bild i.77 dr+ has a recommended retail price of £5999 - ouch. To put it into context, the 77-inch LG C2 OLED is currently retailing for £2999, and if you're after a 2023 model you can pick up a 77-inch LG C3 OLED or Sony A80L for £3999. This Loewe is certainly aimed at the demographic that wants their TVs to match their interior design with luxurious materials and styling, just as long as they're willing to pay for it of course.

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Loewe is known for blending style and audio performance, and that trend continues with its latest Dolby Atmos soundbar. The AV brand, which is celebrating its 100-year anniversary this year, has debuted the Klang Bar3 MR soundbar; a new powerful TV companion with a compact design. 

Loewe has built the Klang Bar3 MR to work with 43-inch TVs and above, and it uses premium materials throughout. The bar measures 950 x 68 x 160 mm, which is a touch larger than the Sonos Beam Gen 2.

With seven front-firing speakers and two built-in subwoofers, the Bar3 MR boasts an impressive 360 Watts of power. Loewe says it can produce a "harmonious, room-filling home cinema experience" and that it can also be paired with any of Loewe's Klang MR speakers, or any active speakers of your choosing through the company's Wireless Digital Audio Link (WDAL 2.0) technology to create a 5.1 system.

Dolby Atmos support is the headlining feature here, although it looks like the soundbar only contains front-firing speakers, meaning the height channels are likely achieved through clever audio trickery. The Klang Bar3 MR also supports DTS audio of the DTS HD, DTS:X and DTS Virtual:X varieties.

When it comes to connectivity, there are three HDMI connections including eARC and 4K passthrough, as well as an optical input alongside Apple AirPlay 2, Chromecast built-in and DTS Play-Fi. 

The Klang Bar3 MR will be available at Loewe authorised retailers starting this month for £999 / €999, or roughly $1245 / AU$1860.

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When Loewe withdrew from the UK TV market back in 2019, it was by no means clear whether the premium German brand would ever be able to find its way back. In fact, with more and more aggressively priced competitors entering the TV market, the odds seemed to be stacked against it. 

Given the brand’s proud history of delivering beautifully built TVs with innovative and bespoke design elements, strong performance standards and unique upgrade options, though, we were happy to see Loewe announce late in 2021 that it was getting back into the UK TV game. Especially when it added that its return was going to find the brand working to a faster product design cycle than it had been before, ensuring that its new TVs would be better able to keep up with the relentlessly fast pace of innovation in today’s TV world.

The Bild i.55 is the debut result of Loewe's ‘rebirth’ – and while it’s a chip off the lovely old Loewe block in some ways, it does indeed suggest that Loewe in 2022 is a significantly nimbler and more focused brand than it was before.

Price

The £2999 / AU$4999 (around $3400) price of the Loewe Bild i.55 puts it very much in the premium tier of today’s TV market. To give you some idea of just how premium, LG’s OLED55C2 costs just £1199 / $1300 / AU$3195 at the time of writing, while Sony’s XR-55A80K OLED TV costs £1499 / $1300 / AU$2595. Even the impressive new QD-OLED TV variants, the Samsung QE55S95B and Sony XR-55A95K, only currently cost £1199 / $1500 / AU$2995 and £2199 / $3000 (around AU$3895) respectively.  

This puts the Bild i.55 at an immediate disadvantage, clearly. Especially as it’s built around the traditional ‘WRGB’ type of OLED technology rather than the newer QD-OLED approach. Loewe’s set does offer some unique features to help justify its cost, though. 

Its design and build quality are a clear cut above the norm, for instance. Its chassis is also designed to accept a supremely elegant soundbar upgrade as and when you want to add it and, uniquely for today’s TV market, it sports a built-in hard disk video recorder with 1TB of storage space. 

It’s even possible to attach the Bild i.55 to a choice of different stand and wall-mount options, including a unique floor-to-ceiling pole mount. 

While these premium features still won’t be enough to make the Bild i.55 a truly mainstream TV option, that’s not really the point. To the sort of well-heeled, design-oriented customer Loewe is targeting, though, the Bild i.55’s proposition really could do enough to win plenty of customers to its premium cause. Especially when the cheapest 55-inch TV currently available from that other famous premium designer TV brand, Bang & Olufsen, costs £5800 / $6975 / AU$14,091.

Design

The Loewe Bild i.55 really is a thing of beauty. The OLED screen is supported on a fantastically finished brushed black metal panel that’s also outrageously slim at its outer edges. The frame around the screen is super slim too, and appears to sit flush with the screen, making its presence even less of a distraction from the pictures on the screen.

Inevitably for a TV that wants to take sound quality seriously and doesn’t use the sort of Acoustic Surface ‘screen as speaker’ technology deployed by Sony’s OLED TVs, a large section – around two-thirds – of the Bild i.55’s rear sticks out much further than it does at its edges. This bulgy bit still looks elegant on the Bild i.55, though, thanks to the way much of it is covered by a rich, graphite-grey cloth cover.

Projecting from the TV’s upper right side is the distinctive Loewe ‘label’ we remember from Loewe TVs in days gone by, while hanging off the bottom edge it’s great to see Loewe retaining its trademark large, circular LED display and IR sensor design feature. 

Our sample is fitted to a fantastically well-built and well-finished pole-style desktop neck, which sits on an equally well-made brushed metal plate stand. You can hide cabling in the pole neck, and there’s cable channelling in the recessed connections area on the back of the TV, too.

Put all these design elements together and you’ve got a TV that looks supremely elegant and emphatically premium from every angle.

Remarkably, despite the unified elegance of the Bild i.55’s design, it’s possible to add an optional extra ‘soundbar’ speaker arrangement to it without it spoiling the aesthetic at all. This Klang Bar i accessory simply slots onto the TV’s bottom edge and, since it wears the same fabric finish that you get on the TV’s rear, you’d barely know by looking at the TV that anything had changed. Apart from the new couple of inches of grey fabric that now protrude below the bottom edge, of course.

As noted in the price section, you can make the Bild i.55 look even more dramatic by attaching it to optional elegant wall mount options, a floor-standing pole mount, or a dramatic ‘floor2ceiling’ pole stand.

The Loewe Bild i.55 is partnered with a beautiful metallic remote control that feels lovely to hold and feels like pretty much the perfect premium interface for such a gorgeously made TV.

Features

The Loewe Bild i.55 is built around a traditional 4K-resolution WRGB OLED panel, offering support for the HDR10, HLG and Dolby Vision HDR formats. There’s no HDR10+ support, which is a shame when the likes of Philips and Panasonic support all four of the main HDR formats on their latest OLED TVs. To be fair, though, neither LG nor Sony support HDR10+ on their OLED TVs either, while Samsung’s QD-OLED TVs – and their Mini LED TVs – support HDR10+ but not Dolby Vision.

It’s unclear whether the Bild i.55 uses one of the latest premium ‘EX’ OLED panels – though its brightness during testing suggests that it doesn’t. We can say with certainty, though, that unlike a fair number of rival premium OLED TVs this year, the Bild i.55 doesn’t sport a heat sink layer that would help it run more brightly without increasing the risks of permanent screen burn. 

As ever with OLED TVs, the assumed advantages of Loewe using the technology are a pixel-level degree of local contrast, deep and uniform black levels, and wide viewing angles.

The Bild i.55’s smart system, surprisingly, is the VIDAA platform developed by Hisense. It’s certainly not unique to see VIDAA on TVs that aren’t Hisense models; it’s something Hisense now licenses out rather than keeping exclusively for its own TVs. But it initially feels surprising to see Loewe no longer sticking with its own proprietary smart platform for its first TV back on the UK scene. 

Given the difficulties and delays, though, associated with a relatively small brand such as Loewe constantly having to develop and refine its smart platform and trying to do content deals for all the apps consumers expect to see these days, the switch to VIDAA ultimately suggests a more practical Loewe thinking on its feet to find ways of delivering all the features consumers want to see. Especially as VIDAA has now gone from rather humble beginnings a few years back to being an impressively straightforward and content-rich platform.

Also unexpectedly, the Bild i.55’s relationship with Hisense seems to stretch to some of its picture setting options as well. Certainly, the structure and phrasing of areas of the Bild i.55’s set-up menus is strikingly similar to stuff we’ve seen on recent Hisense TVs.

At first glance the Bild i.55’s connectivity looks strong. In particular, there are four HDMIs, all of which are claimed to support HDMI 2.1. It turns out, though, that this really just reveals how unhelpful the HDMI labelling system has become these days, as none of the HDMIs proves capable of handling the 4K/120Hz signals now available from the PS5, Xbox Series X and high-end PCs. The HDMIs do support the eARC audio feature for passing lossless Dolby Atmos to compatible soundbars or AV receivers, as well as VRR gaming up to 60Hz, and ALLM. 

To be fair, the Bild i.55 isn’t particularly targeted at the gaming world. Given that almost all other TV brands now support 4K/120Hz on at least their premium models, though, it would still have been nice to find Loewe’s comeback kid also ticking this gaming box. 

Gamers won’t be especially impressed, either, by the 43.5ms the Bild i.55 takes to render images it receives at its HDMI inputs when running in its Game preset.

The Bild i.55 supports Dolby Atmos audio alongside its Dolby Vision video support. This is delivered in the TV’s out-of-the-box condition by a 20W speaker system, but you can upgrade this to 80W and add forward-facing drivers by attaching the specially designed Klang Bar i to the TV’s bottom edge.

One last classic Loewe touch to mention here is the Bild i.55’s DR+ system. This is essentially a built-in 1TB hard disc recorder you can use for recording shows from the built-in Freeview HD tuner. In these days of endless online content and catch-up apps, being able to record from a tuner perhaps feels a bit old school. That said, 1TB is a lot of space to play with, and the ongoing popularity of Sky Q proves that there are plenty of people out there for whom time-shifting live broadcasts is still a big part of their AV lives.

Picture

As you’d hope with any modern OLED TV, the Bild i.55’s picture quality is mostly excellent. Even quite beautiful at times.

Its combination of pretty much perfect black levels and pixel-level contrast and light control is the star of the show. Even the best LCD TVs just can’t handle stuff such as stars against a night sky or torchlight cutting through a dark room with as much purity and impact as the Bild i.55’s OLED panel can. 

The darkest pixel in any given image can sit literally right adjacent to the brightest one and still there will be no compromise between the two. In other words, the brightness of the bright pixel isn’t reduced because there’s a dark one next to it, while the black pixel doesn’t slide up towards greyness because there’s a bright one next to it. There’s no overstating how much impact this can give to dark HDR scenes. Despite the Bild i.55 not being, as we’ll see later, the brightest OLED TV in town.

The black levels remain intact, too, if you have to watch the Bild i.55’s OLED screen from an angle. There’s none of the slide into greyness that you see with off-axis viewing with (most) TVs that use LCD technology. 

Good black levels usually prove to be a strong foundation for excellent colour handling, and so it proves with the Bild i.55. Saturation levels are rich and vibrant with both bright and dark scenes, and there’s enough subtlety in their tones to deliver natural-looking, smooth blends that help give images the sort of three-dimensional feel we look for from a good 4K TV.

The impressively nuanced colour presentation is a factor, too, in the picture’s excellent sharpness and detailing. With good quality native 4K sources the Bild i.55 delivers an emphatically 4K picture despite the relatively compact 55-inch screen size. It’s a solid upscaler of HD too, though not quite on the same level as the very best upscaling brands in town.

The Bild i.55 does a good job of tone mapping HDR10 sources to its screen’s capabilities, delivering them with good punch and control, and minimal clipping. The set responds nicely to Dolby Vision sources too, delivering more extra dynamic range impact than we’d usually see with a premium TV.

While the picture quality of Loewe’s comeback TV is seriously lovely for most of the time, it does come up short of the very best rivals in one or two areas. For one thing, its pictures aren’t particularly bright. Even in its rather over-cooked Dynamic preset it’s clearly less bright than 2022’s best premium OLEDs. It simply doesn’t deliver HDR images, especially full-screen bright HDR images, with the same sort of punch and intensity that you can get from the likes of the LG C2, Panasonic LZ1500B, Sony A95K or Samsung S95B.

You can improve the slightly dull look to the Bild i.55’s out-of-the-box performance by first turning off the TV’s ambient light sensor (which makes the image really very dark indeed if you’re watching the TV in a dark room), and then nudging the TV’s Backlight setting up towards its Maximum level. But ultimately there’s always an upper limit to the Bild i.55’s brightness that it can never push past.

Perhaps connected to the Bild i.55’s slight lack of brightness, dark scenes while playing Dolby Vision sources can lose a bit of shadow detail in dark picture areas, leaving them looking a touch hollow.

The last issue we have with the Bild i.55’s picture quality concerns its motion performance. Judder and resolution loss feel slightly aggressive with no motion processing in play, yet most of the motion processing options provided are pretty messy, causing either uncomfortable stuttering or distracting processing side effects. There is, fortunately, a workable solution in the shape of a Film motion processing option, which manages to improve the panel’s default motion performance without throwing up excessively unnatural results. Motion is still an area for Loewe to improve on in the future.

Sound

We test the Loewe Bild i.55’s sound using both its default speaker system, and its optional extra Klang Bar i ‘soundbar’. 

Starting with the default speakers, they sound better than their 20W power rating would lead you to expect. They’re powerful enough to hit potent volume levels without becoming harsh or contained, and their dynamic range delivers an open, well-rounded sound that doesn’t easily become overwhelmed or break down into distortions or dropouts during dense soundtrack moments. 

Voices sound clear and convincing, the soundstage is reasonably large and the speakers are sensitive enough to reveal lots of clean, convincing detailing. These details enjoy a mild but effective sense of specific placement in the TV’s soundstage when playing Dolby Atmos soundtracks, too – though this doesn’t extend to much room-filling forward impact.

This is where the Klang Bar i comes in. The way its clever design allows it to introduce an array of forward-facing drivers instantly contributes to a much more impactful, direct and dramatic sound. The sound swells in scale sharply as it leaves the Klang Bar i too, creating a larger soundstage which, usefully for the Bild i.55’s Dolby Atmos ambitions, has at least a little vertical as well as horizontal presence.

Having eight drivers and much more power to play with also brings out even more detail and clarity with dense movie mixes, as well as introducing a welcome boost to bass.

There are a couple of niggles with the Klang Bar i, though. It can sometimes make voices sound as if they’re coming from slightly below the on-screen action, and surprisingly it tends to fall away/recede slightly as escalating soundtrack moments head towards a crescendo. The sort of soundtrack moments that trigger this are thankfully rare, and it’s actually quite a common phenomenon in the integrated TV sound system world. It still feels a bit unnecessary for an audio system with as much power to play with as the Klang Bar i, though.

Verdict

The Loewe Bild i.55 sees the German brand making a confident and desirable return to the UK. It instantly looks and feels like a classic premium Loewe TV, but at the same time there are clear signs that the old design elegance is now being partnered with a much more pragmatic and responsive approach to keeping up with the TV tech Joneses. Picture and sound quality are both engaging too, especially if you add the Klang Bar i, so while the Bild i.55’s price will clearly limit its market, it does enough as an all-round package to likely make that market very happy indeed.

SCORES

• Picture 4
• Sound 4
• Features 4

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Loewe has launched a new 48-inch OLED TV, but it doesn't come cheap. The Loewe bild v.48 has the German brand's typical luxury flourishes, and will set you back £2299 (around $2600 / AU$4000). That's vastly more than you'd have to pay for LG's excellent 48-inch C2, with which it shares a panel.

So what are these luxury touches? The 48-incher has the same SL5 chassis as the bigger sets in the bild v range, along with dual channel audio (courtesy of a built-in 80W stereo soundbar), and a dual multi-tuner. Images are delivered via the 4K OLED panel, and there's support for the HDR10, HLG and Dolby Vision formats of HDR. Inside, there's an SX8 quad-core processor.

Loewe claims that the soundbar delivers room-filling audio with a natural, immersive presentation and excellent speech intelligibility. It has a closed bass reflex box and six drivers, along with Mimi Sound Personalisation, which lets you tailor the audio to your individual preferences.

Dolby Atmos also comes as standard.

You also get Loewe's rather natty stand. This rotates and is designed to sit on a tabletop, but you can also add other floorstanding stands as accessories.

Can Loewe justify charging so much more than industry stalwarts LG and Sony for a 48-inch OLED TV? We haven't reviewed a Loewe TV since the company rejoined the UK market last year, but its TVs are as much about style as substance – that's what you're paying extra for. If you want a smaller TV that certainly looks the part, the bild v.48 could be for you.

It's on sale now – check Loewe's website for more information.

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Loewe has launched a new wireless subwoofer that can connect wirelessly to TVs over Bluetooth. The klang sub1 is the company's latest bass bin, and its grey fabric finish and circular shape continue the footstool aesthetic seen on last year's sub5.

Weighing 4.7kg and with a diameter of 28.7cm, the klang sub1 is significantly smaller than previous models in Loewe's range but contains a pair of 4-inch woofers and four passive drivers in a hexagon layout to reduce unwanted vibrations. Loewe claims it delivers 160 Watts of output power with a frequency response down to 20Hz.

Unlike the brand's other subs, the sub1 can directly connect to Loewe and We. by Loewe TVs (from the SL3 series onwards ) using the klang sub1 transmitter, as well as third-party displays via a variable 3.5mm line-in. There's onboard support for Bluetooth 5.0 with aptX low latency, and Loewe says that the sub's performance offers listeners "a perfectly balanced sound experience for maximum listening pleasure without sound delay, annoying buzzing and disturbing wires between the subwoofer and TV." 

Availability for the klang sub1 has not yet been announced, but it will be priced at £400 (around $464 / AU$680). Could this be a potential rival for Sonos' much-rumoured Sub Mini? Hopefully, we won't have to wait much longer to find out.

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Premium AV brand Loewe has announced that its affordable ‘We.By Loewe’ ranges of accessibly priced 4K TVs and Bluetooth speakers are now available to customers in the UK.

The German manufacturer, best known for its luxury TVs, has recently returned to the UK market after a hiatus and a change of management. By launching its We.By Loewe sub-brand, the company aims to appeal to younger customers with bright designs and lower price points.

Up first is the We.Hear range of portable Bluetooth speakers available in a choice of two sizes and four evocatively named colours:  coral red, tropical aqua blue, muted storm grey and a calming cool grey.

Both the We.Hear 1 and the We.Hear 2 are cylindrical, measuring 22cm and 29cm tall respectively, with a tapered carry strap and an IPX 6 rating, meaning that the speakers are both dust and splashproof, ideal for outdoor use. 

The smaller We.Hear 1 has a reported battery life of 12-14 hours and is priced at £99. Meanwhile, its big sibling the We.hear 2 should provide 15-17 hours of playback and costs £169.

Alongside We.Hear, Loewe has also launched We.See: a series of small to mid-sized TVs each featuring a slim backlit design and 4K resolution.

Available in 32-inch, 43-inch, 50-inch, 55-inch screen sizes, each We.See model has a sleek bi-colour frame available in a choice of coral red, aqua blue and storm grey. The chassis also features a built-in front-facing 80 watt Dolby Atmos Soundbar with Bluetooth for streaming music and connecting headphones.

In addition to its design credentials, the We.See range promises Freeview Play and a host of video streaming services including Netflix, YouTube and Amazon Prime. There's HLG and HDR10 supported on all models and Dolby Vision support is also included on all bar the 32-inch model. 

Loewe's We.See range is available now priced at £899 (We.See32); £1,199 (We.See 43); £1399 (We.See 50) and £1599 (We.See 55).

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Loewe has had a busy year. Not content with a return to the UK market toting a new high-end OLED TV and Dolby Atmos soundbar in early October, the German tech brand has just launched two new ranges of home-audio equipment in England: the klang mr series, a three-strong lineup of multiroom speakers, and the klang s, two new smart home speaker offerings.

The release actually marks a return to home audio for Loewe – the firm introduced its first consumer audio products back in 1923 – and all five of the new models were crafted at the brand’s factory in Kronach, Germany, where the electronics specialist has been designing and manufacturing for decades.

The klang mr lineup comprises three different-sized "elegant and no-nonsense" wireless speakers. Multi-room functionality comes thanks the tech firm’s cooperation with the DTS Play-Fi wireless audio ecosystem, as well as Apple AirPlay 2. 

The smallest family member, the klang mr1, holds a power output of 30W and is dubbed the perfect rear speaker for the October-released Loewe klang bar 5 soundbar, due to its included wall mount and compact design.

Next up comes the Loewe klang mr3 'bookshelf' speaker. Equipped with three full range drivers, a subwoofer and two passive radiators, this speaker boasts 150W of power.

Finally, with a claimed output of 180W, the klang mr5 is the largest speaker in the range and is described as "not for the fainthearted", with its three tweeters, three full range drivers, a subwoofer and two passive radiators.

All of the speakers connect to your smartphone or device via Bluetooth (v4.2) and sport glass top panels with integrated touch functionality plus an LED display. The speaker’s body is covered in a premium acoustic fibre.

On to Loewe's new two-strong smart speaker range, the klang s-series. These propositions are billed as a one-stop shop for all your musical needs and come in two sizes, the klang s1 (335 x 120 x 90 mm) and klang s3 (460 x 160 x 90 mm).

Loewe says that the klang s-series is first and foremost a smart radio – and take note, the line has already won both the Red Dot and if Design Awards this year.

Visually, you're getting straight lines, a slim silhouette and brushed aluminium casework (available in either a basalt or light grey finish), harking back to a more classic era of hi-fi audio.

Under the bonnet, this is a thoroughly modern proposition however, with both products offering Bluetooth wireless streaming, USB input, internet, FM and DAB/DAB+ radio, plus Spotify Connect and embedded streaming services including Deezer and Amazon Music.

The s3 (main photo) includes a CD player too, allowing listeners who prefer the physical music product to enjoy their collection.

Boasting a large and easy-to-read display for your chosen content, the klang s1 and klang s3 can be controlled either using the included remote or via the Loewe Radio app – where you can install streaming services and create playlists.

The Loewe klang s-series is available now in Harrods, Selfridges and selected high-end retailers, priced at £399 for the klang s1 and £599 for the s3.

The Loewe klang mr1 (£299, about AU$600) and mr3 (£549, about AU$1050) wireless speakers are available now. The Loewe klang mr5 will be available by the end of November 2021, priced at £649 (about AU$1250).

When availability and pricing for the rest of the world is known, we'll update this page.

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With Loewe ‘getting the band together’ under new ownership, we’ve been waiting to see what the first new TV releases will be. Now, following the Bild s and Bild v OLED ranges, the new Bild i range has been announced for an October launch in Australia. 

Again they use 4K OLED panels, here in 48-inch, 55-inch and 65-inch sizes, presented in a softer aesthetic with rounder styling and a rear panel covered with fabric, much like the top-of-the-line Loewe Bild s.77 model. 

• German AV brand Loewe takes home 10 titles at the 2021 iF Design Awards

The Bild i can come either with invisible sound from concealed speakers, or as the 'is' option of higher-quality sound from an eight-driver Klang soundbar below the screen. This can also be combined with the new Loewe Klang Sub5 modular subwoofer, and/or extended to a complete all-in-one home cinema system. 

The TVs support both Dolby Vision HDR and passthrough of Dolby Atmos sound thanks to their four 4K-compatible HDMI inputs including eARC, HFR and ALLM, and as is often the case with Loewe, ongoing enhancements via firmware update.

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Key differentiating factors compared with competitors are the standard inclusion of a 1TB hard drive for recording broadcast TV, and the nice choice of ways for the screen to integrate into the home.

They are wall-mountable, along with choices of the included high-quality swivelling table base in basalt grey, or the optional floorstand (pictured above) which allows the TV to rotate in a freestanding position. 

You may encounter images of this TV on Loewe’s new floor2ceiling pole stand, but the Australian distributor (Indi Imports) has decided not to bring this option into the country.

Prices are:
- AU$3999 for the 48-inch Bild i (AU$4699 for the Bild is option with Klang soundbar),
- AU$4999 for the 55-inch Bild i (AU$5799 for the Bild is) and
- AU$6499 for the 65-inch Bild i (AU$7399 for the Bild is). 

• Loewe TVs and speaker systems are now available at The Good Guys in Australia

Luxury TV-maker Loewe is returning to the UK market, GetConnected reports. The German brand shut its operations in July 2019 due to financial difficulties but was bought by investment company Skytec Group in December of the same year.

In a statement, Skytec said it planned to "turn the manufacturer into a global TV brand over the course of the next decade by employing modern technologies and savvy strategic partnerships."

Such as? Loewe has buddied up with Chinese TV-maker Hisense to develop a new operating system which should launch this month. This will come with streaming services Netflix and Amazon Prime Video as standard.

We're promised that new TVs will "carry the hallmarks of traditional Loewe products" – so expect premium designs and high production values.

Products will come with a five-year pan-European warranty. Spare parts will be stored and distributed via service partner Let Me Repair for quicker delivery times to dealers and faster resolutions for customers.

Loewe employs around 150 people at its HQ in Kronach, Germany. UK operations will be headed up by the former management team of Alan Whyte and Patricia Smith.

"We are delighted to bring Loewe back to the market with the help of Skytec Group Ltd," Whyte said in a statement. "Its leadership team is filled with strong and like-minded individuals, all of whom have Loewe's best interests at heart. Already, we are witnessing positive changes in the company's approach, and we look forward to a bright and prosperous future for this renowned global brand."

The UK arm will be Loewe's only European subsidiary. It has renewed its previous collaborations with UK department stores Harrods and Selfridges, so look out for its TVs there first. It is currently in the process of rebuilding its supply chain with UK dealers both old and new, so you should see Loewe TVs popping up in more shops soon.

Last year, Loewe launched a youth-oriented spinoff 'We. by Loewe', but its loud colours were in contrast to the main brand's traditionally sleek, discreet aesthetic.

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In this year's annual iF Awards, German designer AV brand Loewe collected 10 awards in total, including one coveted iF Gold Award.

The Gold Award was given out to the brand's SEE collection in its WE. by Loewe range – a striking TV series offering 32-, 43-, 50-, 55-, and 65-inch models that was first unveiled at IFA 2020 at the end of last year.

"With WE. Loewe present a new brand that is specially oriented to the needs of a young target group," iF World Design states. "It boasts uncompromising quality, sustainability, and an exceptionally captivating design. The TVs have a fresh and independent design, high-quality materials, and sustainable product development to offer this customer group a real alternative."

The other nine awards were distributed across a number of the brands products, including TVs, speakers, remote controls and apps.

• LOEWE bild s (TV)
  
• LOEWE bild v family (TV range)
  
• LOEWE bild i family (TV range)
  
• LOEWE klang bar mr5 & sub5 (soundbar and subwoofer)
  
• LOEWE klang s family (smart radio)
  
• LOEWE klang mr (multiroom speakers)
  
• LOEWE remote (remote control)
  
• LOEWE my app (app)
  
• We. by Loewe HEAR Family (wireless speaker range)
  

Loewe has been manufacturing and innovating in the AV space since 1923, with its more recent TVs and speakers offering unique and novel designs, as well as promising durability, precision engineering, regular software updates, and economical energy consumption.

In Australia, Loewe is distributed through Indi Imports.

• Loewe TVs and speaker systems are now available at The Good Guys in Australia

Dubbed a “wireless handy TV speaker” by Sony, the SRS-LSR200 is designed to be a foolproof and more flexible alternative to a soundbar; to easily boost TV audio around a home without the restrictions of a 'fixed' set-up.

The primary aim of the compact, portable device, which can easily be carried from room to room, is to boost on-screen dialogue. It has a dedicated centre speaker for voices, which is flanked by left and right stereo drivers, plus a Voice Zoom mode that detects the human voice and makes it clearer and easier to hear. Voice Zoom brings voices to the front of the presentation, while Voice Zoom 2 emphasises high frequencies.

By delivering the lower register of the voice through the left and right speakers, too, Sony says voices sound natural and realistic through the SRS-LSR200.

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The new Sony speaker works wirelessly with TVs from major brands (Sony, Hitachi, LG, Loewe, Panasonic, Philips, Samsung, Sharp and Toshiba), and features an integrated remote for controlling them. 

The transmitter and speaker are connected by 2.4GHz wireless transmission, with Sony promising low-latency so that both the SRS-LSR200 and your TV speaker can be used simultaneously for extra volume (which sounds... interesting). As the connectivity range is around 30m, the idea is that if you step away from the TV room you can still take its audio with you. Again, this is no ordinary speaker.

A 3-hour charge on the supplied charging dock allows for 13 hours of playback. It also has a handle for carrying from room to room, and is splash-proof (equivalent to IPX2 standards).

The Sony SRS-LSR200 will be available from this month in the UK, Germany, Austria and Switzerland, with availability in the rest of Sony’s European markets due in September.

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