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The Compose 40 also handles motion rather better than many LCD rivals. Sure, there's a little of the seemingly inevitable resolution loss as objects pass across the screen, but it's seldom distractingly severe. And don't read into all this HD talk that this TV hates standard definition. In fact, it's one of the better full HD LCDs at getting the best from Freeview's frequently low-bitrate channels.

Other strengths find the Compose 40 producing truly vivid and engaging colours, and making recordings to its HDD that are only marginally softer and less distinct than the original broadcasts.

Finally, we're mightily relieved to report that it also produces the best black levels we've yet seen from a Loewe LCD TV. But that's not to say that black levels couldn't be better still. Recent LCD screens from the likes of Philips and Samsung to name but two certainly get deeper with their blacks. And now that we're in a moany frame of mind, the Compose 40 also suffers with the odd rogue colour too.

Restoring our good mood, though, is the Compose 40's audio. The system we tried, comprising two floor-standing speakers and a subwoofer, is absolutely superb, with outstanding dynamic range, power handling and clarity. This is an arrangement we'd strongly recommend to anyone thinking of getting this TV, despite the fact that the package adds an extra £750 to the basic cost of the TV.

Verdict

There's no doubt that the Individual Compose 40's price will just be too rich for many people's blood, especially as its pictures can only be characterised as good rather than excellent. But then the set isn't aimed at the ‘many' but rather at the well-heeled, brand-conscious few. And we reckon it should suit that market down to the ground.

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