This Loewe Opta Bella Luxus radio has been converted into a wifi speaker. It now works on 12V DC and can be operated in any country or on any network with the included power supply.
You can play music wireless from your phone or tablet through the radio, listen to internet radio or use the preinstalled APPs for Spotify, Youtube and other streaming services.
You can see how it works on Youtube.
What I have done:
I installed a new sound board with three speakers behind the genuine speaker grill. All speakers are now powered with a Sony 50WRMS (100W peak) amplifier and controlled with a micro computer.
Because of the micro computer, you can now listen to radio in HD quality without going manual through the station. There are more than 500 radio station preinstalled and you can add as any as you like.
No more light bulbs change, because I have replaced them with long life LED lights!
On the back you can find 4 USB ports, here you can connect your usb sticks, hard drive or mp3 player.
Next to the USB ports you have a LAN socket, here you can connect the radio via cable to the broadband or a network drive. - This is very practical if the WIFI signal is a bit weak or if you would like to use the radio as a soundbar for your TV.
Because I do all radio conversion myself here in my workshop in London, I can incorporate also additional function like touch screen display, DAB radio and more.
Please note this is a genuine Loewe radio from the 1950s in great condition, but this is now a wireless speaker only not a working tube radio.
Dimensions: (WHD): 360 x 230 x 165 mm / 14.2 x 9.1 x 6.5 inch
Weight : 6 kg
Voltage: 12V
Power: 60W with external power supply, this can be operated any country or on any network.
THE LOEWE STORY
It all began in 1923 in Berlin, when Dr Siegmund Loewe and his brother David Ludwig Loewe established a radio manufacturing company called Radiofrequenz GmbH. Their work with the young physicist Manfred von Ardenne in 1926 led to the development of the triple tube, which was first used in the Loewe OE333 radio receiver. This tube prompted Loewe’s multi-tube production and is today lauded as the world’s first integrated circuit.
Television development began at Loewe in 1929. The company worked together with British television pioneer John Logie Baird. In 1931, Manfred von Ardenne presented the world’s first fully electronic television to the public on the Loewe stand at the 8th Berlin Radio Show.
When Hitler came to power in Germany, Siegmund Loewe had to emigrate to the USA in 1938, where he developed friendship with yet another forced emigrant, Albert Einstein.[citation needed]
In 1949, Siegmund Loewe regained possession of company property and took over as chairman of the supervisory board. In the 1950s, Loewe began producing the Optaphon, the first[citation needed] cassette tape recorder, and manufacturing televisions in Kronach. 1961 saw the first[citation needed] European video recorder, the Optacord 500, enter mass production.
In 1962, the family company tradition ended with the death of Siegmund Loewe. Subsidiaries of the Philips group took over the majority of shares. Under this management, which continued until 1985, the company increasingly specialised in the development and production of televisions.
In 1963, the first[citation needed] portable television, Loewe Optaport, was launched. It had a 25 cm screen and built-in FM radio. The first Loewe colour televisions were launched along with the introduction of colour television in Germany. In 1979 Loewe introduced a fully integrated chassis (everything on a single board) television production. The first[citation needed] European stereo television followed in 1981.
You can control all function with the web interface find out more here.
The Volume control works via app, or with the genuine control knob on the radio.
Simply connect the radio to your network through WIFI or LAN cable to play web radio, Spotify, you tube, Last Fm with the preinstalled apps. You can use your smartphone, tablet or computer as a remote control.
Dimensions: (WHD) 46 x 28 x 23 cm / 14.2 x 9.1 x 6.5 inch
Weight : 7 kg
Voltage: 12V with external power supply (included)
Because the radio has been converted to low voltage, it can be operated in any country.
As with all my radios, you have 6 month warranty for peace of mind.
THE LOEWE STORY
The story starts in Berlin in 1923 with the launch Radiofrequenz GmbH, by the Loewe brothers. Working with inventors such as Manfred Von Ardenne and John Logie Baird, they developed pioneering radio technology and the world's first electronic TV. Exiled from Germany in WW2, Siegmund Loewe returned in 1949 and began producing the world's first cassette tape recorder (the Optaphon), the first European video recorder (the Optacord) and of course, the wonderful Opta radio series.
Bang and Olufsen Speaker S30 has been converted into a wi-fi speaker. Just plug in the provided 24V power supply and enjoy the powerful and clear sound. The amplifier is already integrated inside the chassis, using the original quality speaker. Beovox S30 were compact speakers produced between 1977 and 1983 with linear phase reproduction, suitable for placement in a small bookshelf design to reproduce music faithfully and clearly.
You can hear it play here on Youtube
No compromise in sound, just a smart use of modern amplifier and programming. The built in single board computer allows you to stream music through wi-fi network. Preinstalled Apps for Spotify, internet radio, Youtube. You can store your music on the built-in 16gb memory card and use it as a stand alone player. I am using the same software as for my radios, you can see how it works here:
http://www.wireless-classics.com/wifi.html
I customise all components myself, so no matter if you like it portable, or with Bluetooth, WLAN and internet radio built in - it can be done to your specification.
ABOUT THE speaker
Voltage: 24V (with external power supply included)
Sample rate: 24-bit at 192KHz.
Continuous load: 30W
Music load: 60 W
Impedance: 4 - 8 ohms
Frequency response: +4 -8 dB 60 - 18,000 Hz
Sensitivity: 2.5 W
Gross volume: 12.4 litres
Woofer: 17cm
Tweeter: 5cm
Dimensions W x H x D: 26 x 48 x 18cm
Weight 5.5 kg
One of a kind this beautiful 1954 Océanic radio. I have waited a long time to get my hands on one of these. These are very rare and collectors item. I have imported this radio directly from France where it has been kept for decades in a family home. You can see in the pictures, the beautiful details. When I received this radio it wasn't working anymore and with very little AM radio stations available, I decided to transform this radio into a smart speaker.
What I have done:
For sound - I replaced the original speaker with a similar size, but brand new 200 Watt - 3 way speaker and class d amplifier. to insure best sound quality I am using a micro computer combined with digital audio processor - you can hear crystal clear the sound how it should be.
For connectivity - The installed micro computer comes has built in WIFI, so it can easily be connected to your home network and you can listen to web radio stations or podcast. there already Apps preinstalled - so you can easily Navigate between the radio stations and your own music.
You can store your own music on the internal drive and use the radio as a music box.
You can control all functions via WIFI from any device even without an App and the built-in computer does all the work. I replaced the genuine Lights with long life LED lights and the magic Eye is now a green LED light.
To add even more comfort I also installed a bluetooth module, just switch between wireless and bluetooth input and enjoy the sound.
Click here to hear it play on Youtube
As with all my radios, you get 6 month warranty, but endless email and phone support.
The radio now operates on 12V (low voltage) with an external power supply (included) . You can operate it anywhere in the world.
I've left the original valve radio in good and almost complete condition - but please note this model only functions as a wireless speaker, not a tube radio.
Specification:
Dimensions(WHD): 40 x 30 x 21 cm
Weight: 10 kg
Voltage: 12 V – with external power supply (included) world wide applicable!
Inputs: W-LAN
Condition:
The varnish is all original and has some sign of use but in very god condition, given the age. Please see the pictures for detail.