Loewe We Hear 2 test: our full review – Bluetooth speakers


Big sister to the We HEAR 1, the We HEAR 2 by Loewe speaker is distinguished by its impressive size, a sign of increased performance. Cut for close listening as well as for “ambience” an aperitif at the beach or a barbecue with friends, the We HEAR 2 has no less than four active and two passive transducers, associated with 30 W amplification. On paper, it has everything to please…

The We HEAR 2 speaker // Source: Tristan Jacquel for Frandroid

After the small disappointment that was the We HEAR 1, it’s time to evaluate its big sister. Seen from the outside, the We HEAR 2 portable Bluetooth speaker is a large-format version of the HEAR 1, but inside, the acoustic solutions have changed considerably, in favor of a two-way audio system, which entrusts the highest sounds to two specialized transducers. The goal ? Produce more accurate sound.

Loewe We Hear 2Technical sheet

ModelLoewe We Hear 2
Number of speakers

2

Powerful

60 watts

Battery

4000mAh

Autonomy announced

17 hours

Built-in microphone

Unknown

Weight

2000 grams

Dimensions

125mm

Protection sign

IPX6

Product sheet

This test was carried out with a loudspeaker lent by the manufacturer.

Loewe We Hear 2Design

Just like the HEAR 1, the We HEAR 2 received an award for its design (Red Dot 2021). And for good reason, these speakers are strictly identical visually. The We HEAR 2 is thus in the form of a large cylinder covered with a fine acoustic fabric, equipped with a rigid plastic tab, which slides to give access to the control buttons, and is used to stabilize the speaker when it is placed horizontally. With 29 cm in height and approximately 12 cm in diameter, the We HEAR 2 was however designed to be positioned vertically and thus has a silicone base.

We HEAR 2 review
The We HEAR 2 by Loewe speaker is equipped with an articulated button cover // Source: Tristan Jacquel for Frandroid

The We HEAR 2 speaker has four control buttons: one for power, play and music pause, two for volume and one for Bluetooth pairing. The connection is limited to a USB-C charging port and a 3.5 mm mini-jack line input, these two connectors being concealed by a silicone cover. Important: The We HEAR 2 is only certified IPX6, which means that it is resistant to splashes of water, but is not waterproof and should therefore not be submerged.

We HEAR 2 review
The We HEAR 2 can be positioned horizontally, but tends to roll // Source: Tristan Jacquel for Frandroid

Unlike the HEAR 1 which had transducers on either side for a 180° distribution, the We HEAR 2 has its speakers aligned on the same side (straight when facing the enclosure).

Loewe We Hear 2Use and application

How should it be grasped, positioned? What to do so that it does not roll? Why is the wrist strap so difficult to install? The We HEAR 2 speaker puts the user to the test before being tamed. It must be said that its purely cylindrical shape does not facilitate its grip at all and that its large size often makes it unstable, positioned vertically as well as horizontally. On a flat surface, it’s no problem setting it up, but it’s a whole other ball game on the grass or a throw blanket at the beach. Another downside is that the fabric covering the speaker stains easily.

We HEAR 2 review
The We HEAR 2 speaker is equipped with a carrying strap // Source: Tristan Jacquel for Frandroid

Its plastic tab is often inconvenient when it comes to accessing the control buttons, and it also increases the size of the speaker in an almost disabling way. Indeed, wedged horizontally thanks to its button cover, the We HEAR 2 has a footprint of almost… 30×30 cm. Moreover, when the speaker is charging, its size is significant since it is also necessary to slide the button cover.

No control app, but a stable Bluetooth connection

Powering up the speaker is accompanied by an audible confirmation that it is impossible to deactivate for lack of a control application. A serious downside, as the main manufacturers of portable Bluetooth speakers offer to manage the operation of their speaker using an app to update it or modify its sound signature.

We HEAR 2 review
The USB-C port and the mini-jack input are protected by a silicone cover // Source: Tristan Jacquel for Frandroid

The Bluetooth connection (SBC codec) is stable up to 10 meters and through a wooden floor. On the other hand, no multipoint connection possible to two smartphones simultaneously.

Loewe We Hear 2Audio

If, all things considered, the We HEAR 2 uses the lines of the HEAR 1 identically, the loudspeakers used are totally different. The enclosure being much larger, Loewe was able to accommodate more transducers, larger in diameter as well. Instead of the two small “broadband” of the HEAR 1, the We HEAR 2 has a pair of large circular transducers (approximately 8 cm), each associated with a tweeter. It is therefore a stereo and 2-way speaker, which theoretically offers a fuller and more precise sound. The low and mid frequency registers are reproduced by the large transducers, while the high register is entrusted to the dome tweeters, which are exclusively designed for this application.

We HEAR 2 review
The four transducers of the We HEAR 2 speaker // Source: Tristan Jacquel for Frandroid

Low frequencies are also reproduced by a pair of passive radiators, positioned at the ends of the enclosure and partially obstructed by a perforated grille. It’s a shame, because it limits the speaker’s performance at low frequencies. As a reminder, passive radiators have no magnet (motor) and are only equipped with a rubber membrane, which vibrates according to the movements of the membranes of the main transducers. This allows the lower frequencies to be amplified and the loudspeaker to play louder overall.

We HEAR 2 review
The speakers are equipped with large magnets and well motorized // Source: Tristan Jacquel for Frandroid

Pay attention to the power indicated by Loewe, which communicates a total of 60 Watts. In reality, the stereo amplifier delivers up to 2×15 W, or 30 W at most from bass to treble. The 60 Watts obtained are also described as musical by the manufacturer… which does not mean much. In theory, 30 W is enough to produce a high sound volume with 4 transducers, but the HEAR 2 remains behind competing speakers of the same size, such as the JBL Xtreme 3 and its 100 Watts.

Test setup and sound signature

I listened to the We HEAR 2 speaker indoors and outdoors, on a terrace and by the sea, associated with an iPhone 13 Pro Max and a Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite 5G, with different styles of music: rap , rock, jazz and a playlist of current hits on Apple Music.

We HEAR 2 review
These are the passive radiators that are behind the speaker grilles and only diffuse very low sounds // Source: Tristan Jacquel for Frandroid

First observation, the We HEAR 1 and 2 speakers absolutely do not share the same sonic DNA. If Loewe’s small speaker delivers a gaunt and anemic sound, the We HEAR 2 is much more expressive. However, the reproduction of the bass is disappointing: there is clearly not enough level in this register, which is frustrating for the listener. This was unexpected given the size of the enclosure and the motorization of the transducers. In fact, the midrange and treble registers are prominent, but returned with precision and speed, without detrimental coloration. In short, the top of the audio spectrum is clean and bright, but the bass is too timid. In the absence of a control app and equalizer, this signature unfortunately cannot be modified, nor the speaker updated.

  • Bass: decent extension, but too far back from other registers and tasteless
  • Medium: detailed and precise, without harshness
  • Treble: generous and fluid, but it colors most of the music listened to

Indoors and outdoors, the We HEAR 2 speaker delivers expressive sound, but with a signature that is too upward to compete with the references in the category, JBL Xtreme 3 or Sony SRS-XB43.

Dynamic behavior and soundstage

The dynamic margin of the We HEAR 2 loudspeaker is not exceptional, but the reproduction is lively enough to be pleasant. Too bad the bass is so timid and makes the speaker unsuitable for improvising a small party in the park or at the beach (we would be bored).

We HEAR 2 review
A passive radiator of the We HEAR 2 speaker // Source: Tristan Jacquel for Frandroid

On the other hand, the spatialization of the sound is good, thanks to the positioning on the same line of all the loudspeakers. To enjoy a wider scene, it is better to lay the speaker down rather than keeping it upright. The different sound planes are suitably staged.

Loewe We Hear 2Microphone

The We HEAR 2 speaker is not equipped with a microphone and therefore does not allow you to make voice calls.

Loewe We Hear 2Autonomy

The manufacturer announces approximately 15 to 17 hours of autonomy, without however specifying the chosen listening volume. At 50% iPhone volume, the We HEAR 2 speaker lasted 15:30 in this test. Recharging the battery requires just over 4 hours with a charger (10 W).

Loewe We Hear 2Price and release date

The We HEAR 2 speaker is sold in dark grey, light grey, coral red and aqua blue and is priced at €179. At this price, it enters into direct competition with the Sony SRS-XB43, which is much more balanced and efficient. Smaller speakers even do better than her, JBL Charge 5 or Sony SRS-XB33.

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