Much more associated in the collective imagination with luxury design than with hi-fi, Loewe remains a historic player in sound and image. For several years now, the manufacturer has limited its sound production to soundbars and speakers connected to DTS Play-Fi technology. As a kind of Loewe equivalent to the Bluesound Powernode and other WiiM amplifiers, the new multiroom amplifier presents itself as a networked, efficient and particularly powerful amplifier.
Shoebox format, DTS Play-Fi inside
Aesthetically, the multiroom amplifier follows a certain trend in the connected hi-fi industry to be as stealthy as possible. An audio configuration fits into an interior, it doesn't impose itself on it. The device therefore has reduced dimensions of 21.7 x 7.9 x 21.7 cm and a black cover that is characterized by a few style elements, nothing more. Loewe also offers a certain degree of versatility when it comes to placement, as the creation can be mounted on the wall or placed in a 19-inch rack.
The integrated controls are also quite minimalistic, as the interface is limited to a small multifunction button on the front and an LED bar. Loewe also includes a dedicated remote control.
If we have seen even more completeness in terms of connections, the Loewe multiroom amplifier is already presenting itself as a convincing sound hub. The device therefore has an RJ45 input, a WiFi chip, a Bluetooth chip, an HDMI-ARC interface, an RCA line input, an RCA line output, and a subwoofer output. Bass in RCA, as well as a USB-A input for connecting an external storage device. There is of course also a screw-on stereo terminal block and a second RJ45 socket for daisy chain network setup with other devices.
But the manufacturer's secret weapon lies primarily in its integration into the networked and multiroom ecosystem DTS Play-Fi. A kind of competitor to Sonos, more open but a little less sophisticated, DTS Play-Fi allows operation between many devices under many brands, such as: E.g. LinkPlay. In addition to being compatible with most network protocols such as Chromecast or Airplay, the DTS Play-Fi environment offers support for streams up to 24bit/192kHz through its application. Additionally, this ecosystem enables multi-channel streams to create home theater setups. In this case, the multiroom amplifier is capable of working in classic configuration (for front speakers) or surround (for rear speakers).
1200W? Not quite
Without going into detail about the internal circuitry of his device, Loewe states that the amplification comes via a Class D module, all capable of delivering 1,200W of power. Of course, in detail things are not so extraordinary, as the 1200 W clearly indicates the peak power, measured at 4 ohms.
In more traditional measurements the power is visibly 300W into 8 ohms and 600W into 4 ohms. These numbers suggest that Loewe counts both channels at the same time and not the power per channel. Regardless, this device should be enough to power the vast majority of speakers on the market.
In keeping with the spirit of compact and modern networked amplifiers, the Loewe multiroom amplifier does not have an unreasonable price: 1,000 euros.
Specifications
- Type: connected amplifier
- Network ports: 2 RJ45 (for daisy chain mounting), 1 WLAN, 1 Bluetooth, 1 USB-A for USB sticks
- Digital input: 1 HDMI ARC
- Analogue input: 1 stereo RCA
- Analogue outputs: 1 stereo RCA line, 1 RCA for subwoofer, stereo connection block
- Network Compatibility: DTS Play-Fi, Airplay, Chromecast, Spotify Connect
- Compatible assistants: Google Assistant, Alexa
- Advertised sound power: 300W RMS into 8 ohms, 600W RMS into 4 ohms, probably taking both channels into account
- Frequency response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz (-1 dB)
- THD (10W): <0.05%
- Signal-to-noise ratio: > 100 dB
- Damping factor: > 50
- Dimensions: 21.7 x 7.9 x 21.7 cm
- Price : 1,000 euros
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