Customer Reviews and Ratings

4.5 out of 5 stars

Based on 22 reviews

  • 3.0 out of 5 stars

    OK...

    • Written by from Kirdford

    I got this for Christmas, and to be honest, it's ok. Sounds great at a low level, but when you get to a higher level, the bass becomes bad and can't be "felt". I think that the Bose is better, as my dad has the original and we decided that it was better in sound and bass, even at its highest level. I will be upgrading this to the Bose sound dock 10 or beats by dre.

    This review is based on the fact tha t I listen to a lot up bassy stuff including dubsetp.

    If you want something for listening to at a low to mid level, then this is perfect for you.

    2 of 5 people found this useful

  • 5.0 out of 5 stars

    Update Firmware!

    • Written by from Northampton

    The latest firmware (v2.4.36) fixes issues recognising devices and removes the annoying flashing LED.

    The sound is *outstanding* and the usability is what you'd expect from anything bought at the Apple Store.

    4 of 4 people found this useful

  • 5.0 out of 5 stars

    Mini does work with iPod Touch 4G

    • Written by from Bury

    Like many people commenting I bought the Zep Mini, loved it, but it didn't work with the iPod Touch 4G. I contacted B&W, who simply offered to replace it. However, when I returned it to point of purchase we discovered that the only problem is that because it is so thin, it fails to make contact fully with the dock, therefore not registering the iPod. If you simply push it down, it will work. B&W have a cradle that allows it to fit flush and you will have no problem once you get this. B&W will post it to you if you request it. So simple!!

    7 of 9 people found this useful

  • 5.0 out of 5 stars

    Astounding

    • Written by from spalding

    The power and quality of sound means I am selling my hi fi, of all the systems I've owned this is the best possible sound, I am amazed, worth every penny and lots more!!! Thank you B&W.

    2 of 3 people found this useful

  • 5.0 out of 5 stars

    Stunning

    • Written by from EASTLEIGH

    I'm amazed about how good this sounds so such a small device.

    4 of 5 people found this useful

  • 1.0 out of 5 stars

    Behind the times ...

    • Written by from Weybridge

    The actual device is amazing - stylish and fab tunes. BUT it is NOT compatible with the new iPod Touch 4th generation so we had to return it. Come on B&W sort yourself out.

    20 of 38 people found this useful

  • 5.0 out of 5 stars

    Small but sounds big!

    • Written by from Birmingham

    Works with iPad with the latest firmware. Looks small but sounds very very good!
    For the price is great value, not as powerful as its big brother if you need more than a sound system in your bed room or small room go for the Zeppelin, Tried lots of docks this one sounded the best at its price point!

    Remote is a great feature!

    12 of 12 people found this useful

  • 5.0 out of 5 stars

    Fantastic sound

    • Written by from Peterhead

    This speaker dock is fantastic. It works well with the Ipod touches and the iphone 3gs we have in the house. Don't use it with anything other than the latest generations of Classic though, it doesnot work with the old 30gb Video model we have. If you are going to use it to sync the Ipod it will only work with cables below 2m in my experience, otherwise perfect.

    The sound quality is out of this world. We have small rooms in our house, so the full sized Zeppelin was too big, but to be honest the quality from this unit is not any different. Now my teenage daughter tells me to turn it down! Great at all volume levels with no distortion. Also use it with my Mac as a set of USB speakers which is great for Itunes etc.

    31 of 33 people found this useful

  • 5.0 out of 5 stars

    Quality System

    • Written by from Tunbridge Wells

    Comparing this to other similar systems such as the Bose sound dock, I would most definitely choose the Zeppelin Mini. The system has a similar high quality sound and power to Bose's system, but the ability to update the sound system's firmware through the USB port means that no matter what new portable music player Apple produces, B&W can ensure it's compatibility with the speaker system. I love the fact you can digitally output audio from your computer to the speaker system too through the USB port. Keeps up the high quality audio.

    18 of 19 people found this useful

  • 3.0 out of 5 stars

    Great sound but...

    • Written by from FARNHAM

    We've had 2 of these in quick succession and they have now been returned as both consistently (on a daily basis) suddenly stopped mid-song, then when I went to find out what the problem was the iphone had re-set and the white apple logo had come up.

    The sound was wonderful, it looks great, but I'm not after something that suddenly cuts out mid-album. Cannot find any forums where this has been noted previously, but please be warned. Lets hope a future software update puts this right.

    16 of 41 people found this useful

  • 5.0 out of 5 stars

    AMAZING!!!!!!

    • Written by from Carlisle

    These are one of the besr pair of small speakers i have ever bought, the sound quality is amazingly clear even on full volume there is no distortion. I would fully recomend these for any music lover

    7 of 11 people found this useful

  • 3.0 out of 5 stars

    Not bad, but not Hi-Fi

    • Written by from ROYSTON

    Having read the reviews, I bought one of these from the Apple Store, having heard its big brother & the Bose SoundDock. At home I usually use a universal dock connected to Cambridge Audio & Monitor Audio gear (i.e. somewhat mid-fi if you're a hi-fi enthusiast) but also have a Klipsch iGroove original (which my iPhone 3GS doesn't quite fit). Hopefully that's calibrated the rest of this for you... Music-wise, we're talking a lot of MOTR/acoustic stuff and some classical.

    The little B&W is very small and well made. Sonically, the Zep mini is okay -
    it does achieve some qualities which defy its diminutive size, creating a beguiling soundstage (but no real stereo separation) in the mid and upper frequencies. Against the Klipsch it's far more involving and accurate - instruments and vocal detail are more clearly discernable. Bass is well controlled and goes deeper than the rear-ported Klipsch but is not well integrated with the mids and highs. It's worth noting that B&W plan to issue a firmware upgrade in Q1 2010 which will include bass management. But in the meantime, it sounds fine on the floor in a large room given some welly but you'll find it sounding thin and hard in a small room.

    It's quite tiring to listen to, sounding a little hard against the Klip/Bose sound of warmth and bass mud which, given that none of them approaches hi-fi sound, is a more relaxed listen. However it's not tiring to look at - that concave top reflects the colours of its surroundings in a pleasant change from the usual form factor.

    I've compared this against the Klipsch for hours and decided that, whilst it is undoubtedly better, it's not £299.95's worth of better audio. So it went back to Apple (who gave excellent service and no hesitation in reimbursing me).

    If I didn't own the Klipsch (and a compatible iPod) then I would probably have kept the little B&W for its reasonable sound and convenience. If I didn't have a dock on my 'hi'-fi then I probably would have bought the Zeppelin for an additional £91 to have good sound at the expense of convenience.

    All subjective, I know, but I hope this helps.

    29 of 40 people found this useful

  • 5.0 out of 5 stars

    Magnificent

    • Written by from NEWARK

    I am blown away by the quality of sound this produces. As an owner of a Bose SoundDock I'm amazed by the difference between the two. And I thought the Bose sounded good.

    The richness of the sound (particularly with higher quality files) makes the Bose sound, well, average. And the Bose isn't an average system. The Zeppelin Mini is just that good!

    The build quality is another thing that's great about it - you just know you've got a top-drawer system. But then I think it's fair to say that B&W know a thing or two about speakers.

    If you're thinking of getting a Bose, then I would honestly recommend you spend a little extra and get the Zeppelin Mini. It is pure class.

    11 of 13 people found this useful

  • 2.0 out of 5 stars

    Good but not a touch on...

    • Written by from Bicester

    After hearing this at a friends house, i have to say i was disappointed. The system lacks the punchier bass of its larger brother which is expected, looks far less attractive, which I also expected but surprisingly for the price, did not match the Bose SoundDock Portable nor the SoundDock II. Personally I opted for the portable, which not only sounds better but is also far more flexible! Rather then buying several systems to use across the home, I invested that extra £50 and went for one GREAT dock which i can take with me ANYWHERE!

    Overall a good sounding dock from B&W, but not a touch on the Bose Sounddock II for performance or the Bose Sounddock Portable for sound and value for money!

    6 of 20 people found this useful

  • 5.0 out of 5 stars

    Outstanding sound quality

    • Written by from LINN

    I own a few speaker systems as I have three teenagers in the house, I purchased this speaker set and can confirm that it blows all of the others away, the quality of sound and the design are superb, the remote control is unique and something that fuses fashion and functionality perfectly, loved it!

    10 of 11 people found this useful

  • 5.0 out of 5 stars

    Brilliant

    • Written by from Cannock

    Worth the amount paid - In terms of sound it is clean and crisp, more of a natural sound compared to bose soundocks. However, if you bump the volume up high the zepplin mini tends to struggle as regards the base, but the base is good generally just not at the highest volume. It has a modern sleek design, you can plug both your iPod and you computer in and switch from one to the other for different tracks. More than you will ever need from an iPod sound system. Better in smaller rooms e.g. bedroom, study. Sometimes it is a bit slow processing the tracks and can lack in responsiveness e.g. you click off on the sound system and it does not work then you click the button off on the remote and it turns off finally. It benefits entirely if the bit rate of each song or the quality of the song is high as this particular sound system thrives off good quality sound tracks - you will definately hear the difference. Not only this but it charges your iPod whilst it is in. It will fit any iPod in but it is best for the iPhone's and iTouch's all generations as it comes with the attatchments so that it does not damage the socket at the bottom. Overall fantastic aesthetics, great sound quality - This is a great price given the technology crammed into this sound system - astonishing.

    8 of 10 people found this useful

  • 2.0 out of 5 stars

    freeze

    • Written by from london

    it looks good and sounds good.
    and i would say it's well worth spending £300 on.
    so long as you dont mind speakers that freeze up every day of your life.
    until problem sorted i'd say get something else wish i had

    17 of 44 people found this useful

  • 5.0 out of 5 stars

    Better & Quicker than Bose.!

    • Written by from swindon

    If you want your product within a few days, choose this, great sound. If you want to wait a few weeks order a Bose! Personally, i have both & Bowers wins ever time....

    11 of 19 people found this useful

  • 5.0 out of 5 stars

    Great sound quality and connectivity

    • Written by

    Awsome sound quality, have just bought this as a present to myself, and has now replaced my stereo. USB cable recognised as speakers for my computer too, so can be used just as speakers from my computer. Ipod Sync, charge, play, stream.... everything you'd need it to do. A great addition to any new stylish apartment.

    19 of 24 people found this useful

  • 5.0 out of 5 stars

    Mini name but impeccably big sound and manners

    • Written by from Edinburgh

    Having scoped this system out online prior to launch, I couldn't wait to see it in the Apple Store and audition it as best as you can in that environment. At first I was a little disappointed listening to the in store iPod Touch, with there being a lack of warmth and clarity.

    Docking my own iPhone and loading up a high quality MP3 encode, the sound improved considerably and after ten minutes of listening, we were convinced enough to purchase.

    Having listened for a couple of hours with a range of tunes, I am absolutely delighted with the Mini. It is not as big or full a sound as the Zeppelin, but it is a big and full sound. They are different systems though, (the Mini is half the size) and to fill a studio flat or bedroom with quality rounded sound, these are the bomb.

    Bought to replace a Bose Soundock which died after two and a half years of constant use, these outperform it. And I do not buy in to the wholesale criticism the Soundock has attracted of late, I always liked it as a system. The B&W sound is more natural, and cleaner in my opinion.

    Two factors are crucial for me though - eq should be set to flat on the iPod for best results, and at least 192 kbps encodes are required for a decent sound. But I think that is a compliment to the B&W system - it is so good it shows up deficiencies in sound - remarkable for a system this size.

    All in all, great value for money (even though it is not cheap) - fabulous styling and build quality, and most importantly, fabulous sound.

    134 of 140 people found this useful