The We HEAR 2 by Loewe speaker, the big sister to the We HEAR 1, is distinguished by its impressive size, which indicates increased performance. The We HEAR 2 has four active and two passive transducers, as well as 30 W amplification, and is designed for close listening as well as “ambience” such as an aperitif at the beach or a barbecue with friends. On paper, it appears to have everything to appeal to.
Following the minor disappointment that was the We HEAR 1, it’s time to assess its big sister. The We HEAR 2 portable Bluetooth speaker appears to be a larger-format version of the HEAR 1, but the acoustic solutions have changed significantly, in favour of a two-way audio system that entrusts the highest sounds to two specialised transducers. What is the goal? Make a more accurate sound.
Price
The We HEAR 2 speaker costs €179 and is available in dark grey, light grey, coral red, and aqua blue. It directly competes with the Sony SRS-XB43 at this price, which is far more balanced and efficient. Smaller speakers, such as the JBL Charge 5 or the Sony SRS-XB33, outperform her.
Design
The We HEAR 2 received an award for design, just like the HEAR 1. (Red Dot 2021). For good reason, these speakers are visually identical. The We HEAR 2 thus takes the form of a large cylinder covered in fine acoustic fabric and equipped with a rigid plastic tab that slides to provide access to the control buttons and to stabilise the speaker when placed horizontally. The We HEAR 2 is 29 cm tall and 12 cm in diameter, but it was designed to be positioned vertically and therefore has a silicone base.
There are four control buttons on the We HEAR 2 speaker: one for power, play, and music pause, two for volume, and one for Bluetooth pairing. The connection is restricted to a USB-C charging port and a 3.5 mm mini-jack line input, both of which are hidden behind a silicone cover.
Loewe We Hear 2 Use and application
How should it be held and positioned? What should I do to keep it from rolling? Why is it so difficult to put on the wrist strap? Before being tamed, the We HEAR 2 speaker puts the user to the test. It should be noted that its purely cylindrical shape does not aid in grip and that its large size frequent makes it unstable when position are vertical as well as horizontal. It’s simple to set up on a flat surface, but it’s a different story on grass or a throw blanket at the beach. Another disadvantage is that the fabric that covers the speaker is easily stain.
Its plastic tab is frequently inconvenient when it comes to using the control buttons, and it also significantly increases the size of the speaker. Indeed, with its button cover wedged horizontally, the We HEAR 2 has a footprint of nearly… 3030 cm. Furthermore, when the speaker is charging, its size is important because the button cover must be slid.
There is no control app, but there is a stable Bluetooth connection.
When you turn on the speaker, you will hear an audible confirmation that it is impossible to deactivate due to the lack of a control application. A significant disadvantage, as the major manufacturers of portable Bluetooth speakers offer the ability to manage the operation of their speaker via an app to update or modify its sound signature. Bluetooth (SBC codec) connection is stable up to 10 metres and through a wooden floor. However, no multipoint connection to two smartphones is possible at the same time.
Audio
Even though the We HEAR 2 uses the same lines as the HEAR 1, the loudspeakers are completely different. Loewe was able to accommodate more transducers, which were also larger in diameter, due to the larger enclosure. Instead of the HEAR 1’s two small “broadband” transducers, the We HEAR 2 has a pair of massive circular transducers (approximately 8 cm), each with its own tweeter. As a result, it is a stereo and 2-way speaker, which theoretically provides a fuller and more precise sound. The large transducers reproduce the low and mid frequency registers, while the dome tweeters, which are specifically design for this application, reproduce the high register.
A pair of passive radiators, placed at the ends of the enclosure as well as partially obstructed by a perforated grille, reproduce low frequencies as well. It’s a shame because it limits the speaker’s low-frequency performance. As a reminder, passive radiators lack a magnet (motor) and instead rely on a rubber membrane that vibrates in response to the movement of the membranes of the main transducers. Lower frequencies are amplified as a result, and the loudspeaker can play louder overall.
Sound signature and test setup
I listened to the We HEAR 2 speaker indoors as well as outdoors, on a terrace and by the sea, with different styles of music: rap, rock, jazz, and a playlist of current hits on Apple Music, paired with an iPhone 13 Pro Max and a Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite 5G. First and foremost, the We HEAR 1 and 2 speakers do not share the same sonic DNA. The We HEAR 2 is far more expressive than Loewe’s small speaker, which produces a gaunt and anaemic sound. The reproduction of the bass, on the other hand, is disappointing: there is certainly not enough level in this register, which frustrates the listener.
Soundstage and dynamic behaviour
The We HEAR 2 loudspeaker’s dynamic margin is not exceptional, however the reproduction is lively enough to be enjoyable. Unfortunately, the bass is timid, making the speaker unsuitable for throwing a small party in the park or at the beach. On the contrary, the spatialization of the sound is good, kudos to the positioning of all the loudspeakers on the same line. It is preferable to lay the speaker down rather than keep it upright to enjoy a larger scene. The various sound planes are stage appropriately.
Microphone and Autonomy
Because the We HEAR 2 speaker lacks a microphone, it cannot be used to make voice calls. The manufacturer claims approximately 15 to 17 hours of autonomy, but does not specify the listening volume. In this test, the We HEAR 2 speaker lasted 15:30 minutes at 50% iPhone volume. With a charger, charging the battery takes just over 4 hours (10 W).
