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This one is right up there with the very best

I have reviewed much more expensive things in this column, but I don’t think I’ve ever reviewed something as overpriced as the Loewe AirPlay AirSpeaker.

That said, these speakers are also among the best sounding speakers I’ve ever had the pleasure of listening to.

First, let’s talk a bit about AirPlay. AirPlay is Apple’s technology for wirelessly transmitting audio and video from an iOS device (iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch) or Mac to a receiving device. The receiver can be an Apple TV or another device that supports AirPlay. Among surpporting devices we find a number of speakers, including the AirSpeaker from Loewe.

Loewe is a German manufacturer of high-quality audio products, and the AirSpeaker is no exception. Starting with the external design, it’s a square box shape, with a speaker grill all around, and a coloured top. It really looks more like some sort of decoration than speaker, meaning the AirSpeaker will fit in almost anywhere. One thing I really like is that it does not have an iPhone dock at the top, something that has ruined the design of more speakers than I can think of. To play audio from an iOS device or a Mac, the AirSpeaker and the source have to be on the same network. You connect the Air Speakers either with a wired Ethernet connection or Wi-Fi. Once that’s done, you just select the Air Speakers as the destination from your iOS device or Mac, and play away. There’s also an AUX port on the speaker, and USB port for connecting iOS devices that way as well.

Inside the AirSpeakers you will find two subwoofers, two tweeters and two mid-range speakers. Together it all features a total power of 80 watts. And I can tell you, I’ve listened to some truly great speakers over the years, and the Loewe AirSpeaker is right up there with the very best. It’s truly amazing, the clarity, separation, as well as bass, that you can hear from this small box.

To put it simply, when it comes to the sound, as well as the look, the AirSpeaker would fit right in almost anywhere you’d like to use them, from the executive corner office to the barbecue party.

That all sounds good so far, doesn’t it? Let’s get to the bad part then, the price.

You will have to pay up Dh3,069 for the pleasure of using the Loewe AirSpeaker. Ouch! You would probably expect me to therefore dismiss the AirSpeaker as a bad choice, but with the amazing sound and cool design, I really like them.

There’s no denying that you can get AirPlay functionality much cheaper than this. Actually, if you already have an Apple TV, you have AirPlay too. But if you care about the look of your gadgets and want just about the best sounding speakers available right now, take a closer look at the Loewe AirSpeaker.

Magnus Nystedt @mnystedt

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