Loewe We. BEAM

Loewe We. BEAM, the portable laser video projector

Loewe makes its first move into video projection here, and choosing a portable format is no trivial matter for a German brand used to high-end televisions. The unit fits under your arm, the light source is an ALPD laser, and everything adjusts itself once placed on a table. What remains to be seen is what this compact size really allows in terms of picture quality and use.

An ALPD laser source for a Full HD image

ALPD (Advanced Laser Phosphor Display) technology is based on a laser that excites a phosphor layer to produce light, which is then projected by a DMD micro-mirror chip. The source remains stable over time and starts up without any warm-up, whereas a conventional lamp would gradually lose intensity. Loewe announces a lifespan of around 25,000 hours in normal mode, which means several years at a rate of a few hours per day.

The resolution is native Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels), with support for HDR10 and the Rec. 709 color space. Brightness is around 500 lumens. That is a reasonable figure for a device of this size, but it requires a dark or dimly lit room to perform at its best: in broad daylight, the image quickly loses density. HDR10 is supported, though without an expanded gamut or a high peak brightness, so it should be seen more as signal compatibility than as true high-dynamic-range rendering.

The native contrast ratio is around 500:1 (FOFO measurement), a common value for this type of compact projector, which results in blacks that look more gray than deep in dark scenes. Uniformity remains high, at a minimum of 85% across the projected surface, and 24p support allows true cinema cadence for films. Operating noise tops out at 30 dB at one meter in normal mode, a restrained level for a laser source that fades into the background at viewing distance.

Automatic settings from startup

Placing the We. BEAM down and starting a movie requires very little handling. Focus, keystone correction, screen alignment, and obstacle avoidance are all done automatically, without having to go through menus. If someone crosses the beam, the integrated eye protection (DMD eye protection) reduces light intensity to prevent glare, which is useful in a living room where children or pets may be moving around.

With a 1.2:1 throw ratio, allow about one meter of distance for a 40-inch image, and around three meters to reach 120 inches. Loewe recommends aiming for a diagonal of around 80 inches, the best balance between image size and sharpness. The covered range goes from 40 to 120 inches (100 to 300 cm).

On the installation side, the integrated tabletop stand ensures stable support, and a 6.35 mm (1/4-inch) threaded mount accepts a standard photo tripod to freely adjust height and angle.

A compact format powered by USB-C

At 17.5 x 4.8 x 17.5 cm and about 830 grams, the square enclosure fits into a bag without weighing down your shoulder. The storm grey casing, covered in acoustic fabric, conceals the speaker grille and the ventilation housed under the chassis. The size invites you to move it from one room to another, or take it outside into the garden or onto a terrace.

Power is supplied via a USB-C port (20 V / 3.25 A), with a supplied AC adapter featuring a 150 cm cable. One point worth noting for a device described as portable: it does not include an internal battery. So to free yourself from a wall outlet, you need to connect it to a USB-C Power Delivery-compatible external battery capable of supporting its power draw, which peaks at up to 65 W. Three travel adapters (EU, UK, AUS) are included, and standby power consumption drops to 0.5 W.

The os6 system and built-in streaming

No need to connect a streaming box: the We. BEAM runs on os6, Loewe’s in-house Linux-based system, with a home screen and the NetRange app store. Netflix, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, and Deezer are directly accessible, and the my Loewe app acts as a relay from a smartphone. The menu is available in more than forty languages.

Wireless connectivity covers Wi-Fi for network access and streaming, Bluetooth for audio, and Miracast for screen mirroring from a mobile device. DLNA compatibility provides access to files shared on the home network. Software updates arrive via USB or the Internet, and automatic shut-off and timer functions round out the package.

Built-in sound and connections

Two stereo speakers, supported by passive radiators, are housed in the enclosure, with Dolby Audio decoding. Power remains modest, at 2 x 2.5 W continuous output (2 x 5 W music peak): enough to fill a bedroom or accompany an impromptu viewing session, less so for filling a large living room. To gain more body and volume, several outputs are provided: a 3.5 mm jack output with fixed or variable level, Bluetooth to a wireless speaker such as the We. HEAR, or a soundbar such as the klang bar3 mr.

The video connections are built around a single HDMI input, compatible with HDCP 1.4, HDMI-CEC, and ARC. ARC is used to send the projector’s sound back to a compatible soundbar through the same cable. A single HDMI input limits simultaneous connection of multiple sources: a player and a console will have to share the port, or go through a switch. Two USB ports complete the setup, including one USB-C.

Technical specifications

Image and projection

• Technology: ALPD laser with DMD chip
• DMD eye protection: yes
• Native resolution: Full HD, 1920 x 1080 pixels
• Projected diagonal: from 100 cm (40 inches) to 300 cm (120 inches)
• Throw ratio: 1.2:1
• Offset: 1
• Response time: 1 ms
• Brightness: approximately 500 lumens
• Viewing angle: 120°
• Uniformity: 85% minimum
• Contrast ratio (FOFO): approximately 500:1 typical
• 24p support: yes
• HDR: HDR10
• Color space: Rec. 709
• Light source lifespan in normal mode: approximately 25000 hours
• Automatic functions: autofocus, keystone correction, screen alignment, obstacle avoidance
• Noise level in normal mode: 30 dB maximum (at 1 m)

Integrated audio

• Speakers: 2 drivers in integrated stereo
• Power
  • RMS: 2 x 2.5 W
  • Music: 2 x 5 W
• Audio format: Dolby Audio

System and applications

• Chassis: SL6
• Operating system: os6 (Linux-based)
• Home screen and app store: yes (NetRange)
• Dedicated app: my Loewe app
• Menu languages: more than 40
• Home network: DLNA support
• Auto shut-off and timer: yes
• Software update: via USB and Internet

Multimedia

• Playback: media player, web applications, browser
• VOD and streaming services: Netflix, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, Deezer

Connectivity and interfaces

• HDMI: 1 input
  • HDCP 1.4, HDMI-CEC, ARC: yes
• USB: 2 ports, including 1 USB-C
  • USB-A power supply: 5 V / 1.0 A (output)
  • USB-C power supply: 20 V / 3.25 A (input), compatible with USB-C Power Delivery external batteries
• Wireless connectivity: Bluetooth, Miracast, Wi-Fi (WLAN)
• Audio output control: fixed and variable (3.5 mm jack)
• Tripod thread: 6.35 mm (1/4 inch)

Power

• Power supply voltage: 110-240 V, 50/60 Hz
• Maximum power consumption: 65 W
• Standby power consumption: 0.5 W
• Wake-on-wireless LAN (WoWLAN) and fast startup (Fast Power-On): yes (increased power consumption)

Dimensions and weight

• Width x height x depth: 17.5 x 4.8 x 17.5 cm
• Weight: approximately 830 g

Box contents

• Installation solution: table stand, tripod mounting possible
• Bluetooth remote control with 2 AAA batteries included
• USB-C power adapter with 150 cm cable, black
• Travel adapters: EU, UK, AUS
• User manual

Recommended optional accessories

• Audio: We. HEAR Bluetooth speakers, Loewe klang bar3 mr (item 60614)