Loewe unveils Speaker 2go, portable Bluetooth and NFC capable speaker available in June
Premium portable from German manufacturer Loewe to go on sale in June priced at £269
Anyone familiar with high-end home entertainment equipment will no doubts be aware of Loewe. Their products come with a price, but are always targeted towards the higher end of the market. They have dabbled in mobile compatible devices before, recently with the iOS AirPlay enabled AirSpeaker. Now though, they have pulled the wraps off their debut portable, Bluetooth and NFC enabled speaker -- the Speaker 2go.
On sale in the UK from June, the Speaker 2go is priced at £269. Despite being a portable, it houses two full speakers, a woofer and a 'specially folded' bass reflex tube with a total of 40 Watts of music power. The on-board batteries provide enough juice for a claimed 8 hours use between charges.
Beyond music, the Speaker 2go also has an on-board microphone with echo cancellation, meaning that you can turn the Speaker 2go into an ad-hoc speakerphone system where you are.
The NFC capabilities mean that pairing your NFC enabled Android device to the Speaker 2go is a doddle, with the Bluetooth connection being enabled upon contact. 5 devices can be remembered for automatic connection, and the wireless range is up to 10 metres, handy for using it outside, perhaps.
Speaker 2go will come in 2 colors -- black and silver -- and for more click on past the break for the full press release.
London. – For top-quality sound wherever you go, meet the new Loewe Speaker 2go. Simply wirelessly connect your smartphone, tablet or MP3 player to the portable apt-X capable Bluetooth speaker and you're up and running in no time. For even greater convenience, the Speaker 2go is compatible with near-field communication (NFC) equipped devices, such as the Samsung Galaxy S4.
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This extremely compact and lightweight device packs a powerful musical punch. It’s roomy enough to accommodate two full-range speakers, a woofer and a specially folded bass reflex tube, plus a total 40 watts of music power. A brace of built-in lithium polymer batteries provides up to eight hours of non-stop listening. It also features an integrated microphone, with automatic echo cancellation, allowing you to turn the device into a fully- fledged hands-free system, ideal for telephone conferences. All packed into a perfectly crafted housing made from top-quality aluminium. Plus, the integrated table stand flex ensures a set-up angle of 7.5 degrees for optimal sound distribution.
Sound quality is key
Despite its compact dimensions (24x10.5x5.1cm), the Loewe Speaker 2go delivers a wide, powerful and punchy 2.1 stereo sound across the whole frequency range. To produce this effect, it incorporates three digital amplifiers (Class D) for 40 watts of total music power. The speaker system consists of two combined midrange driver/tweeters (10 watts each) and a woofer (20 watts). An ingenious space-saving bass reflex tube ensures impressive bass performance, while for the best Bluetooth sound quality, the Speaker 2go uses the apt-X codec. The robust, solid aluminium frame supports undistorted sound reproduction. What's more, an integrated voice-optimised microphone turns the Speaker 2go into a portable hands-free system for incoming or outgoing calls, with excellent sound quality thanks to integrated echo cancellation.
Ideally networked
Simple, highly effective wireless connectivity is integral to Speaker 2go’s design. The new near-field communication technology (NFC) makes it easier to connect a wide range of modern mobile devices to the speaker. Simply place your NFC-compatible mobile device on the contact point indicated on the speaker to create the Bluetooth connection and you are ready to start playing music, with no need for complex settings in the device menu.
After confirmation, the devices automatically connect via Bluetooth. Using this method you can save up to five Bluetooth devices that will always connect, depending on availability, as soon as the speaker is switched on. The Speaker 2go has a wireless range of up to 10 metres, and the 3.5mm stereo jack can of course also be used for sound reproduction – a cable is included with delivery. The device also has a USB port to charge devices, helping ensure, for example, that your mobile phone is ready to use at all times while travelling.
Attractive details
In terms of design, the Speaker 2go is archetypal Loewe: on top of its painstakingly crafted aluminium frame (available in silver or black), the Loewe Speaker 2go excels with additional attractive details. All the controls sit flush with the surface, and are easily accessible. The varnished and robust metal grille provides maximum protection for the speaker during transport, while a main control switch helps to prevent accidental switching on. The finishing design touch is the integrated table stand flex set-up solution: simply press lightly on the top of the speaker to extend a small raised base from the front, positioning the speaker at the most favourable angle for sound distribution (7.5°). To retract the table stand flex back inside the speaker for transportation, simply press the top of the Speaker 2go again. Finally, a lightweight, reversible carrying bag is also supplied to provide optimal protection on the move.
Pricing and availability
The Loewe Speaker 2go is available from June, with an SRP of £269.
Supplied accessories
- Power supply (110V-240V/12V), including adapter for the UK
- Stereo audio cable
- Carrying bag