Paweł Koper
The German brand Loewe, known for combining technology with luxurious design, has just unveiled its latest line of televisions called vega. Although the market trend is towards ever-increasing screen sizes, Loewe is going against the grain, offering models with sizes of 32 and 43 inches. However, do not be deceived by their small dimensions – their prices make even the flagship OLED models from competitors look... budget-friendly.
German precision and... a very high price
The new Vega models, although based on LCD technology (Direct LED), have been priced extraordinarily high by Loewe: the 32-inch model is set to cost €1500 (approximately £5999), while the 43-inch model is priced at €1700 (approximately £6999). For comparison, as pointed out by the HDTVtest portal, for a fraction of this amount one could today buy a significantly larger OLED television, such as the 48-inch LG B5, which offers better picture quality. However, Loewe is targeting a specific group of customers – residents of luxury apartments and penthouses, where every centimetre of space matters, and the television must match expensive furniture. The housings are made from high-quality brushed aluminium, and the back of the device conceals magnetic covers that elegantly disguise the tangle of cables.
Direct LED technology pushed to the limits
Why would we pay so much for an LCD television? Loewe claims that these are probably the best Direct LED panels in their class. The 32-inch version boasts as many as 260 local dimming zones, while the 43-inch model features an astonishing 390, which is an exceptional result for such small sizes. This translates to peak brightness reaching 880 nits (in the 43" model) and support for Dolby Vision IQ – a feature extremely rare in small receivers. Additionally, a 60 W soundbar with Dolby Atmos support has been built into the casing.
Premium equipment for gamers?
Despite its luxurious pedigree, the Loewe vega does not lag behind in terms of smart features. The operating system os9 (based on VIDAA solutions from Hisense) offers all the key streaming applications, and support for Matter, Apple AirPlay and Miracast makes connectivity with the home ecosystem easier. Gamers who decide to purchase the 43-inch model will receive 120 Hz, HDMI 2.1 ports, and support for VRR and ALLM. The smaller, 32-inch model is limited to 60 Hz, but still remains one of the most advanced options on the market for someone looking for a small screen without compromising on technical specifications. The question remains: is the style and build quality worth three times the price of a decent OLED? For most, probably not, but for fans of the Loewe brand, the answer may be quite different.
Source: HDTVtest, Loewe
