Blacks, on the other hand, are undermined by an all-too-visible backlight that robs the deepest shades of profundity and variation, and we couldn't find a satisfactory way of addressing this. The overall performance is better than many LCDs, but that price sets up an expectation that the set falls some distance short of.

Sound

This depends on which audio option(s) you decide on. Our sample came with the sound projector attached and very impressive it was, too. Clear, precise and persuasively three-dimensional, its performance leaves normal integrated speakers standing. But then for a grand more, you'd hope so.

While we applaud the ambition and flexibility of Loewe's concept, it's hard to find a compelling reason to buy into it when you could build a superior system for far less from separates.

If your main priorities are style and convenience, the appeal is obvious; if you're more interested in a mixture of sheer performance and value, there is little for you here.

Follow TechRadar Reviews on Twitter http://twitter.com/techradarreview