German electronics maker Loewe has introduced the Loewe Leo, a pair of flagship over-ear headphones aimed at the high-end market with active noise cancellation, long battery life and advanced connectivity features.
The headphones, priced at €1,299, are built with aluminum and genuine leather, with user-replaceable earpads and headband to extend longevity. “The Loewe Leo wants to compete with Hi-Fi sound, LC3+ and additional features such as real-time translation and a voice assistant,” the company said in its announcement.
The Leo uses 50mm OCE membrane drivers supported by a Texas Instruments amplifier and a Bluetooth chip capable of multipoint connections. The system supports the LC3+ codec, allowing wireless transmission at up to 24-bit/96 kHz, compressed to 500 kbit/s per channel. Sound can be personalized through an equalizer in Loewe’s mobile app.
The model features active noise cancellation, transparency mode and integration with an AI-powered voice assistant that provides real-time translation. After an initial one-year free trial, the translation service requires a subscription costing €7.99 per month.
Loewe claims the Leo can achieve a battery life of up to 65 hours, but the company has not confirmed whether the battery can be replaced, raising questions about long-term durability given that batteries often wear out sooner than other components.
The Loewe Leo is available now in Europe through the manufacturer’s online store. With its pricing and positioning, the model competes directly with other luxury headphones, including Bang & Olufsen’s Beoplay H100.
Source: Loewe