Reviews for Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Air

Love the sound of this thing but the networking stack they implemented stinks.
The device is constantly dropping off of my wireless network even though the indicator light remains solid purple which means it's connected and in AirPlay mode. Check of wireless clients through Airport Utility shows that sure enough the Zeppelin is not connected to the wireless network. I have had this happen during the middle of playback, like others. But I have also had this happen after pressing the standby button on the unit to wake it up with zero AirPlay connection attempts. The only way to correct this is to power cycle the unit. Really? And yes the firmware is at the latest version. And I'm still waiting to hear back from B&W's tech support.

Honestly I'm ready to just dump this thing and go with an Airport Express and speakers. My sister's family has had zero issues with this setup.

If you are seriously considering dropping this much cash, I would think twice.

The Zeppelin is an excellent speaker set, but it doesn't work with iPhone 4s via AirPlay (check the support forums). Most unfortunately there is no statement from B&W and they do not show any reaction on emails to their support. Very disappointing service for a product in this price range!

Sounds great BUT the Zeppelin does not stay connected to Air Play/WiFi - then it DOES NOT even power up. The WiFi signal is intermittent at times, but for added frustration, the Air Play lasts the day you set it up, but after that the Zeppelin goes to sleep and you cannot get the power to turn back on - not manually or the by hitting the reset button at the back. You have to re-program the whole system - so basically this is just a docking system. We did as much research on this product as possible, we were looking forward to adding it to the home sound system, but this is not what is advertised - very disappointed.

Not a novice with setting up audio and computers. Have A+ certification on Operating systems and Hardware.......I say this because....During setup, had numerous errors and problems....sometimes worked, other-times didn't...Called B&W....they gave me completely different instructions to setup different than instructions with unit..Finally unit stopped working and B&W told me to return because it seemed a defective unit......LOTS of other websites where people are having same issues....I spent 6-7 hours a day for 3 days before giving up.
I must say B&W speakers are some(if not) of the best you can buy anywhere...totally top of the line....but the Zepp air is a product that shouldnt be at market....buyer beware

Long story short, sound great, but Airplay is so broken that if the unit goes to sleep you'll have to reset the device and reinstall all the airplay setting.

This happens every stinking day, and the manufacturer is so dishonest they refuse to even acknowledge the problem.

I want my money back

This unit did not work out of the box after setting up the air play on a wirelessG router with 128bit encryption. Furthermore hooking up an iphone4s to unit plays for a couple of minutes and then turns off. The red light flashes, unit has to be unplugged and powered up again.

This is no better than an expensive and ugly recharger. The sound, when it can be heard is awesome for mp3 player. All details are clear and balanced bass is deep. I put in a support request to B&W and hope to get some help because the web site support does not say enough. Furthermore the video is so lame. I'm from a computer engineering background and should be able to get through all the manuals to setup unit easily but this unit just doesn't work well. It is a dissapointment.

Beautiful product but frustrating beyond belief. After 2 complete non-starters the latest two play a docked iPhone but refuse to entertain the idea of wireless connectivity. This is not helped by 3 differing sets of instructions available from B&W's own website, all offering conflicting advice. After one failed setup the product will not even reset so no obvious means of resolution. Product will be being returned (again) to await a substantial update.

Bowers & Wilkins knows how to handle sound, but not computers!
This thing is not connecting to Wifi and is not even loading firmware updates (looks like the Zeppelin Driver DFU is not present (on Windows 7).
Blimey! And B&W says that if something is wrong must be my password.
I will return the unit if B&W don't give me soon a fix
!

The set up process is quite complicated and if you make any error you have to reset. The instructions require you to have a Mac with an ethernet port ( Need an adapter if you have a Macbook Air). Once I got it hooked up and configured it cut in and out all the time. My iPhone 4s would not play when connected to the dock. I have read elsewhere that many people have connection issues and that there is some type of bug with the 4s. I would beware.