LOEWE klang s1 Smart Radio 80W Review: The Intersection of German Engineering and Sonic Brilliance

For years, my kitchen counter was a graveyard of audio compromises. First, there was the tinny little Bluetooth speaker, convenient for podcasts but utterly lifeless for music. Then came the bulky, old-school radio, a relic that pulled in two FM stations clearly and filled the rest of the dial with static. I craved a single, elegant solution—a device that could stream my meticulously curated Spotify playlists, tune into a crystal-clear digital broadcast of the morning news, and look like a piece of art while doing it. The clutter of wires, the constant switching between devices, and the subpar sound quality felt like a daily compromise I was no longer willing to make. I was searching for an all-in-one audio hub that didn’t just play music, but elevated the entire atmosphere of the most-used room in my home. This quest for sonic and aesthetic perfection is what led me to the LOEWE klang s1 Smart Radio 80W.

The Modern Audiophile’s Checklist: What to Consider Before Buying an Internet Radio

An Internet Radio is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for consolidating your audio world into one sophisticated device. It solves the problem of digital and analogue fragmentation, bringing together Spotify, internet stations from across the globe, local DAB+ broadcasts, and your personal Bluetooth-connected devices. The main benefit is unparalleled choice and quality. You gain access to tens of thousands of stations, far beyond the reach of traditional FM/AM, all delivered with digital clarity. It transforms a passive listening experience into an active exploration of global music and culture, all from the comfort of your home.

The ideal customer for this type of product is someone who appreciates both high-fidelity sound and high-end design. They are tech-savvy enough to enjoy streaming services but also have a soft spot for the classic radio experience. They want to declutter their living space without sacrificing audio power or connectivity. Conversely, this might not be suitable for those who need a rugged, portable, battery-powered speaker for outdoor adventures. It’s also likely overkill for someone who only listens to a single local FM station and has no interest in streaming. For those users, a simpler portable DAB radio or a basic Bluetooth speaker would be a more practical and budget-friendly choice.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Dimensions & Space: A smart radio is a permanent fixture. Measure your intended space, whether it’s a kitchen counter, a bookshelf, or a bedside table. The LOEWE klang s1 Smart Radio 80W, with its dimensions of 19 x 7 x 11 cm, boasts a slim, compact profile that fits elegantly without dominating the surface. Always account for ventilation space around the unit.
• Capacity/Performance: Wattage is a key indicator of audio power. At 80 watts, the klang s1 promises room-filling sound. Beyond raw power, look at the speaker configuration—does it offer true stereo? Also, scrutinize the connectivity options. Comprehensive support for Wifi, Bluetooth, DAB/DAB+, FM, and major streaming services ensures the device is future-proof and versatile.
• Materials & Durability: The housing material directly impacts both acoustics and longevity. Many competitors use plastic, which is lighter and cheaper but can feel flimsy and may vibrate at high volumes. The LOEWE klang s1 Smart Radio 80W uses a brushed aluminium housing, a hallmark of premium electronics. This not only provides a rigid, acoustically inert enclosure for clearer sound but also ensures it feels substantial and durable for years to come.
• Ease of Use & Maintenance: A great device can be ruined by a clumsy interface. Look for a large, clear display and intuitive controls. The klang s1 features a prominent colour display and a unique illuminated rotary dial, simplifying navigation. Consider if it comes with a remote or can be controlled via a smartphone app for added convenience. Maintenance is minimal; a regular wipe with a soft, dry cloth is all that’s needed for the aluminium finish.

While the LOEWE klang s1 Smart Radio 80W is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

First Contact: Unboxing a Masterclass in German Design

From the moment the courier handed me the box, I could tell the LOEWE klang s1 Smart Radio 80W was a different class of product. The sheer weight of it was the first surprise. At 3.1 kg, it has a density and heft that immediately communicates quality. Unboxing it felt like a premium experience. Nestled in precisely cut foam, the Basalt Grey unit emerged, cool to the touch. The brushed aluminium housing is impeccable, with no visible seams or imperfections—just clean lines and a slim, purposeful silhouette. It makes many of its plastic-bodied competitors feel like toys by comparison. Setting it up on the kitchen counter, it looked less like an appliance and more like a piece of modern sculpture. The large, vibrant display came to life instantly upon plugging it in, and the illuminated rotary knob on top, which serves as the primary control, felt satisfyingly solid and responsive. This initial impression was one of meticulous craftsmanship and thoughtful design, a device built to be seen and used with pleasure. You can see its full feature set and user reviews to get a better sense of this premium feel.

A Deep Dive into the LOEWE klang s1’s Performance

A beautiful design is meaningless if the performance doesn’t match. We spent weeks integrating the LOEWE klang s1 Smart Radio 80W into our daily routine, testing its every facet—from early morning news broadcasts over DAB+ to late-night jazz sessions streamed via Spotify. This is not just a radio; it’s a comprehensive audio system that aims for perfection in every task. We broke down our analysis into the three pillars that define this exceptional device: its sound quality, its vast connectivity, and its user experience.

A Symphony of Sound: The 80-Watt Audio Experience

Loewe, a brand synonymous with high-end audiovisual equipment, has packed a surprising amount of sonic power into the klang s1’s compact frame. The 80 watts of total music power translate into a sound that is effortlessly room-filling, clear, and authoritative. We placed it in our open-plan kitchen and living area, a notoriously difficult space for smaller speakers, and it never once strained or sounded thin, even at higher volumes. The most immediate characteristic we noticed was the incredible clarity and detail in the mid-range and treble. Vocals, whether in a podcast or a song by artists like Norah Jones or James Taylor, were rendered with presence and nuance. Instruments like acoustic guitars and pianos had a natural, authentic timbre.

This finding was directly echoed by a user who noted its “fin krispig diskant” (nice crispy treble). This is where the German sound engineering truly shines. The sound profile is balanced and refined, prioritizing accuracy over artificial enhancement. It produces what we would call an “honest” sound. This extends to the stereo separation. For a single-unit device, the soundstage is impressively wide. Closing your eyes, you can easily place instruments across a phantom stage, an effect many all-in-one speakers fail to achieve. It creates an immersive listening experience that draws you into the music.

Now, about the bass. The user review accurately described it as “bra (men inte jättebra)”—good, but not great. We agree, with a crucial clarification: this isn’t a flaw, but a deliberate tuning choice. The LOEWE klang s1 Smart Radio 80W is not designed to be a bass-thumping party speaker. It eschews the boomy, often muddy low-end of some competitors in favour of bass that is tight, controlled, and musical. It provides a solid foundation for tracks without ever overwhelming the delicate details in the rest of the frequency range. For genres like classical, jazz, folk, and classic rock, this is the ideal presentation. For fans of hip-hop or electronic dance music who crave earth-shaking bass, it might feel a touch polite.

The Nexus of Connectivity: Your Gateway to Global Audio

The true power of a “smart radio” lies in its ability to access virtually any audio source you can imagine, and the klang s1 excels here. The setup was remarkably straightforward. We connected it to our home Wifi network in under two minutes using the intuitive on-screen menu and rotary dial. Once online, a universe of content opened up. The internet radio tuner, giving access to over 25,000 stations worldwide, is a revelation. We spent an afternoon jumping from a classical station in Vienna to a blues broadcast from New Orleans, all with perfect, interference-free clarity.

The traditional radio tuners are equally impressive. We live in an area with notoriously patchy radio reception, yet the DAB/DAB+ tuner on the klang s1 locked onto stations quickly and held the signal without a single dropout. One user directly compared its reception to a Teufel radio, stating the Loewe’s DAB performance was vastly superior. Our testing confirmed this; it is one of the most stable and sensitive tuners we have ever tested in a device of this category. The inclusion of FM provides a reliable fallback, but the digital quality of DAB+ is so good, you’ll likely never use it.

For personal audio, the integration is seamless. Pairing a smartphone via Bluetooth was instantaneous, and the connection remained stable even when we moved around the house. However, for the best quality, we relied on the Wifi-based streaming. With native support for Spotify Connect, Deezer, and Amazon Music, you can control the music from your phone while the radio streams directly from the internet, preserving your phone’s battery and ensuring no interruptions from calls or notifications. The inclusion of a USB port for MP3 playback feels a bit old-school, but it’s a welcome addition for those with legacy music libraries. This comprehensive suite of options makes the LOEWE klang s1 a true central hub for all your listening needs.

Minimalist Form, Intuitive Function: The User Experience

Interacting with the LOEWE klang s1 Smart Radio 80W is a tactile pleasure. In an age of touchscreen everything, Loewe’s decision to anchor the experience around a large, illuminated rotary control is a stroke of genius. The dial, which rotates and can be pressed to select, provides a satisfying physical connection to the device. Scrolling through long lists of internet radio stations or navigating settings menus feels precise and intuitive, far more so than jabbing at tiny on-screen buttons. The large, high-resolution colour display is another highlight. It shows album art in vibrant detail, along with station information, track names, and time, and is easily readable from across the room.

The layout is clean and logical. The few buttons below the screen are for essential shortcuts like presets and source selection. Everything feels deliberate and uncluttered, adhering to the Bauhaus principle of “form follows function.” We programmed our favourite DAB+ and internet stations into the presets, making our daily listening routine a simple one-button affair. The included remote control is slim and functional, mirroring the main controls for when you’re not within arm’s reach of the unit. The entire experience feels polished and premium, designed to be effortlessly integrated into your life without a steep learning curve. It’s a device that respects your time and attention, focusing on delivering a flawless audio experience with minimal fuss.

What Other Users Are Saying

While our own testing was overwhelmingly positive, we always look to broader user feedback to ensure a complete picture. The consensus online mirrors our findings, highlighting the product’s superior build and audio quality. One user from Sweden provided particularly insightful feedback, which we translated. They praised the “väldigt fin kvalitet” (very nice quality) and “mycket bra ljud” (very good sound), specifically calling out the crisp treble and wide stereo effect. This perfectly aligns with our assessment of its refined, detailed sound profile.

Crucially, this same user offered a direct comparison, noting that while their Teufel radio had more powerful bass, the LOEWE klang s1 Smart Radio 80W had “mycket sämre DAB-radio mottagning” (much worse DAB radio reception) on the Teufel’s part, making the Loewe the clear winner for broadcast listening. This is a critical real-world testament to the quality of the Loewe’s tuner. The only negative point mentioned was related to the shipping carrier, which is irrelevant to the product’s performance itself. The overall sentiment is that this is a premium product that delivers on its promises of quality construction and superior, balanced sound.

How Does the LOEWE klang s1 Smart Radio 80W Compare to the Alternatives?

The market for smart audio is crowded, but the LOEWE klang s1 Smart Radio 80W occupies a premium niche focused on design and audio purity. To understand its place, it’s helpful to compare it against some notable alternatives, each catering to a slightly different user.

1. MAJORITY Fitzwilliam 2024 Black DAB+ Bluetooth Internet Radio

The MAJORITY Fitzwilliam is not a direct competitor, but rather a component designed for a different purpose. It’s a digital tuner meant to be integrated into an existing Hi-Fi stack with a separate amplifier and speakers. Someone would choose the Fitzwilliam if they have already invested in a high-quality audio system and simply want to add modern capabilities like internet radio, DAB+, and Spotify Connect to it. It offers no built-in amplification or speakers. The LOEWE klang s1, in contrast, is a complete, self-contained, all-in-one system. It is the ideal choice for someone who wants exceptional sound in a single, elegant package without the complexity and space requirements of a multi-component Hi-Fi setup. The Fitzwilliam is an upgrade; the Loewe is a statement piece.

2. MAJORITY Quadriga 2.1 DAB+ Stereo System with CD Player

The MAJORITY Quadriga is a beast focused on features and power. With 120 watts, an inbuilt subwoofer, and a CD player, it’s a veritable entertainment hub. This system is for the user who wants everything, including physical media playback, and prioritizes powerful, bass-heavy sound. Its 2.1 configuration with a dedicated subwoofer will deliver a more impactful low-end than the Loewe. However, it is a significantly larger and more traditional-looking unit. The choice here is clear: if you have a CD collection and crave thunderous bass for movies or parties, the Quadriga is a strong contender. If you value minimalist aesthetics, a refined and balanced sound signature, and premium materials like brushed aluminium, the LOEWE klang s1’s sophisticated approach is superior.

3. Hama 00054891 WiFi Internet DAB+ Radio CD Bluetooth

The Hama digital radio is a feature-packed competitor that, like the Quadriga, includes a CD player alongside a full suite of modern connectivity options. It represents a mid-market, feature-first approach. While it ticks many of the same boxes as the Loewe on paper (Internet Radio, DAB+, Spotify), the execution and philosophy are different. The Hama is likely to have a plastic construction and a sound profile geared more towards mass appeal rather than audiophile nuance. A user might choose the Hama if having a CD player is a non-negotiable feature and they are working within a tighter budget. The LOEWE klang s1 justifies its premium price through superior German engineering, a far more elegant and durable aluminium build, and a meticulously tuned audio system designed for clarity and musicality.

Final Verdict: Is the LOEWE klang s1 Smart Radio 80W Worth It?

After extensive testing, the LOEWE klang s1 Smart Radio 80W has earned our highest recommendation, but with a specific listener in mind. This is not just another gadget; it is a premium audio instrument for the discerning individual who values craftsmanship and sonic clarity as much as connectivity. Its strengths are profound: a stunning, minimalist design crafted from genuine aluminium, an impeccably clear and detailed soundstage, best-in-class DAB+ reception, and a seamless user experience. The only potential drawback—its polite, articulate bass—is, in our view, a deliberate feature of its refined acoustic tuning.

We recommend the LOEWE klang s1 Smart Radio 80W wholeheartedly to anyone looking to invest in a central audio hub that exudes quality from every pore. It’s for the person who wants to declutter their counter with a single, beautiful device that can handle every audio task with grace and precision. It is an investment in your daily listening pleasure. If you’re ready to elevate your home audio from mere background noise to a true sensory experience, this is the device to do it. To explore its elegant design and outstanding features for yourself, you can check the latest price and availability here.