Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin
An all-in-one hi-fi solution for all your audio needs, the Zeppelin offers a sleek, iconic body housing five speakers that produce only the clearest sound from your iPhone, iPod, computer, television or any other sound source.
- Analog and optical digital AUX port for connecting various devices
- Connect to TV with composite and s-video output
- Midrange and tweeter derived from Bowers & Wilkins' advanced M-1 speaker
- Powerful bass from centrally located internal subwoofer
Overview
The award-winning B&W Zeppelin is the speaker your iPod and iPhone have been waiting for. It uses drive unit technologies and design principles refined and perfected for Bowers & Wilkins' most advanced reference-standard speakers.
Freedom to choose your sound source
Unlike most speaker docks, Zeppelin lets additional sound sources to play through Zeppelin, view videos on a screen using your iPod/iPod touch or iPhone and/or stream sound using Apple AirPort Express or any other networked audio streaming system.
Sounds as good as it looks
The Zeppelin's stunning body follows the form of its components, with two tweeters at each end, two mid-range drivers next with a subwoofer/bass driver in the center. The less physical material there is around tweeters and midranges, the better they sound. By minimizing the baffle area around the drive units, the cabinet reduces diffraction effects, making for ultra-wide sound dispersion and a much smoother response.
Superbly easy to use
Complimenting the iPod user interface, the docking port lets you grasp the iPod as if it were in your hand. It also cleverly accommodates iPod or iPhone models of differing depths with a spring-loaded docking arm that flexes to secure them without adapters or other manual adjustment.
Features
- Analog and optical digital AUX port for connecting earlier iPod models, television, CD players, computers and more
- Composite and s-video output for connecting to televisions for video output
- Midrange and tweeter derived from Bowers & Wilkins' award-winning and class-leading M-1 speaker
- Internal subwoofer centrally located for bass that has power and authority
- Three high-quality amplifiers: one for left, one for right and one for bass
- Docking arm that lets you grasp your iPod as if it were in your hand
- Spring-loaded docking connector flexes to accommodate each iPod model, eliminating the need for adapters
Did you notice?
You can connect Zeppelin to a monitor/television to view photos, movies, even YouTube videos directly from your iPod or iPhone.
Apple Recommends for...
Listening to streaming audio from YouTube, Internet radio or other applications available for iPod touch and iPhone. Streaming and networking music using AirPort Express or enhancing the sound of an Apple TV system.
Technical specifications
- Technical features: Digital Signal Processing; digital amplifier; switch mode power supply
- Drive units: One 125 mm bass; two 90 mm midrange; two 25 mm metal dome tweeters
- Frequency range: -6dB at 47Hz and 22kHz
- Amplifier power output: One 50 W (bass); two 25 W midrange/tweeter
- Power input voltage: 100V-240V @ 50/60Hz
- Power consumption: 20 W rated; 3.7 W standby
- Inputs: 30-pin iPod dock connector; 3.5 mm mini-jack analog/optical digital (TOSlink); USB 2.0 slave (for software upgrades)
- Outputs: S-video (mini DIN) composite video (RCA phono)
- Enclosure: Polished stainless steel with black trim; grilles of black cloth
- Dimensions (HxWxD): 6.8 x 25.2 x 8.2 in./17.3 x 64.0 x 20.8 cm
- Weight: 16.5 lbs./7.5 kg
What's in the box?
- Zeppelin speaker
- Remote
- Power cord
Warranty
Two-year limited (For details, please visit: http://www.bowers-wilkins.com/display.aspx?infid=2466&terid=2479.)
Mfr. Part No.: FP26147
This accessory is compatible with the following:
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iPhone 3GS
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iPhone 3G
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iPhone
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iPod touch
2nd generation -
iPod touch
1st generation -
iPod nano
5th generation (video camera) -
iPod nano
4th generation (video) -
iPod nano
3rd generation (video) -
iPod nano
2nd generation (aluminum) -
iPod nano
1st generation -
iPod
5th generation (video) 30GB -
iPod
4th generation 20GB -
iPod
1st + 2nd generation
Most Useful Reviews
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Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin
Best Sound I Have Ever Heard From An iPod
Written by GP from London
Jun 11, 2009
1. Sound is unbeatable. In my opinion this speaker makes other products I've tried such as Bose sound tinny.
2. User Interface is Unbeatable. Scrolling through menus, adjusting EQ, Bass booster/reducer, etc is a joy to use because its just like using the iPod with headphones normally - the iPod operates on the stand whilst recharging just like it's in the palm of your hand on the move - staggeringly simple.
3. This speaker's sound balance and quality not only beats all iPod speakers hands down, but it rivals cinema speakers. It can double as an awesome home cinema system or speaker/soundbar for your TV/Video gaming solutions from it's AUX connectivity and digital/fibre optic adaptable TOSlink input. eg. I even listen to DAB radio on it in fantastic quality by plugging in a tuner I got on Ebay for £20
4. Via the USB connection, connection to the PC is possible in order to upgrade the software on these speakers so that the seamless user interface can be upgraded to work with any of the future Generations of iPods so effectively you never need to spend any more money on new speakers ever again as you've already got perfection.
The Best investment I've ever made - worth every penny!
Give the credit to this hard-working British Company who lead the world in sound development, Bowers & Wilkins. …More170 of 189 people found this useful
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Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin
Superb sound!!
Written by RF from Kenai
Jun 12, 2009
It was a great purchace it's been used for a wedding reception in a huge ball room and it sounded like huge performance speakers. They pack a punch. The only draw back is it does not work with iphone/itouch apps such as Pandora internet radio. But other then that the speakers are worth the investment, they sound so beautiful, rich, and loud. …More
152 of 165 people found this useful
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Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin
Stunning
Written by RM from Addison
Jul 24, 2009
The speakers are everything the other reviewers have commented on, and more. I am upgrading from an Apple iPod HiFi (not a shabby speaker itself), but this is better, both sound and design. A clever feature is the dock connector - no inserts, works with everything. If you have three iPods and two iPhones, possibly with cases, you don't have to change a dock insert or remove the case. They all fit (solidly).
Note that only the Z-2 version of the Zeppelin is fully iPhone compatible (the older Z-1 will pop up the annoying "Airplane mode" warning, but still have good sound quality). According to B+W support, only the Apple online store currently has the brand new Z-2 (you can tell by the iPhone logo on its box) and I can confirm it works beautifully with the iPhone 3GS.
…More83 of 93 people found this useful
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Most Recent Reviews
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Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin
Excelent, but just for 1 year. Excelente pero solo por 1 año.
Written by MS from Houston
Dec 1, 2009
Excellent sound, by far , zero distorcion. But:
-The base of iPod is too fragile, it damage easyli.
-Suddenly the speaker began to make a humming noise with iPod in the base, then i should use the back aux with a jack to get a smaller distorcion, but still continuous.
-The speaker it´s totaly sealed and cannot be repared.
-Too much money for just 1 year.
Consider that, I am big fan of Bowers & Wilkings.
Excelente sonido, con mucho cuerpo, cero distorción. Pero:
-La base del iPod demasiado fragil, se rompe con mucha facilidad.
-La bocina empezó a hacer un zumbido con el iPod en la base, lo conecte por el auxiliar con un jack y continuo la distorción en menor grado, pero continuo.
-La bocina esta sellada completamente y no se le puede dar servicio en lo absoluto (al menos es lo que comentó el servicio autorizado.
Demasiado dinero por un producto de tan baja calidad. Y eso que soy fan de Bowers & Wilkings. …More1 of 4 people found this useful
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Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin
Another stellar review
Written by DB from Portland
Nov 4, 2009
I bought my Zeppelin about a month ago and am very pleased with it. I was looking for superior sound in a small, single-unit package, and the Zeppelin fits the bill perfectly.
As others have noted, the form factor is not for everyone. But the Zeppelin has won a number of
design as well as audio awards as you can see on the B&W website. It is extemely easy to set up and use. Just set it on a solid surface, plug it in, dock your iPod/iPhone and you're good to go.
In my opinion, the Zeppelin is too heavy, at 16.5 pounds, to be considered a portable unit. If you're looking for a speaker system to carry with you around the house, out to the deck or on vacation, I'd recommend the Bose SoundDock Portable as it's relatively light, has a built-in carry handle and will run on a rechargeable battery. The Zeppelin is meant to stay put. I would move mine only for special occasions, if at all.
All iPhone compatibility and streaming radio issues have been resolved. Just look for either a "Works with iPhone" logo on the box or a Z2xxx serial number.
My only knock with the Zeppelin isn't with the unit itself but with the remote. It's shaped like a flattened egg, which makes it not readily apparent which end to point at the unit. Also, it's too small and has only the most basic of functions via tiny little buttons. Consequently, I don't use the remote much other than to adjust the volume or turn it off. But the Zeppelin's so well-designed and easy to use that having a less than optimal remote isn't an issue for me. …More14 of 15 people found this useful
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Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin
Fantastic sound, slightly off the mark though
Written by DS from Cupertino
Sep 30, 2009
I have absolutely adored my Zepplin for the past year. I have the Z-1 model, so perhaps my "gripes" have been fixed with the Z-2, but I feel as though they should be aired anyways.
Cons:
- Speaker covering seems to be separating at the on-unit volume controls a little bit. I have carried this thing all over the country though, so that could be from excessive movement - however, it was marketed to me as being a portable unit, designed to be lugged around.
- Airplane Mode on the iPhone - I know this issue was fixed with the Z-2, and even updated with a firmware fix on the Z-1, however, after about 6 months, I now get the dreaded GSM buzz when it's docked with an iPhone, and even to some degree with my iPod touch. I've also tried a Nano and Classic on it, and neither of them present the same issue - so I'm fairly certain it has something to do with the radio frequencies being emitted.
- Listening to an album on the Zepplin means that anywhere else you listen to it will be disappointing.
The two cons I've listed are enough - in my book - to dock it 1 star. A $600 product from a name like B&W should be relatively without flaws, and those are two fairly glaring ones.
Pros:
- Best sound quality under $600 that I've encountered. I've spent some time in sound recording studios, and while some of the speakers there do indeed put out better sound, they also cost significantly more. The high end is crisp without being sharp, mids are full without the hollow sound present in many systems, as bass is present without being booming. Details emerge, even at low volumes, and remain distortion free all the way up to maximum volume.
- Optical line in is quite nice from all modern MacBooks/MBP's.
- Excellent design of the remote
- Little to no listener fatigue - even after 3-4 hours straight.
- Listening to Radiohead's "In Rainbows" album right now and it's a unique experience all by itself. Details that are not present on any other speakers I've listened to this album on are coming through with astounding clarity. …More32 of 39 people found this useful
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Questions & Answers
Most Interesting
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Is it possible to remove the iPod dock? I want to use it with my airport express only!
- Asked by SF from Southampton
- Oct 27, 2009
Best Answer
Yes. You need to carefully pull off the rubber base. It is held in place by double sided adhesive tape. Undo the four security screws that hold the arm in place. Once the arm is lose, you will need to carefully unlock the ribbon cable connector and coax the cable out of the connector. Replace the rubber base. The tool to remove the screws is included in the optional wall mount bracket, which turns Zeppelin into a great 2.1 soundbar for your flat panel display. Contact Zeppelin Tech Support through the www.bowers-wilkins.com website with additional questions. …More
- Answered by GW from TEWKSBURY
- Oct 30, 2009
- 6 of 6 people found this useful
- 2 more answers
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does it charge the iphone whilst plugged in
- Asked by DH from wirksworth
- Oct 13, 2009
Best Answer
Yes, it does charge the iPhone whilst docked.
- Answered by LC from Littlehampton
- Oct 16, 2009
- 6 of 8 people found this useful
- 2 more answers
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Can you wall mount the Zeppelin speaker?
- Asked by GM from MELROSE
- Nov 12, 2009
Most Recent
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i lost my remote control to the zeppelin, where can i buy a new one in ireland?
- Asked by NW from askeaton
- Dec 1, 2009
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Is it compatible with the 3rd generation ipod touch?
- Asked by KC from THORNDALE
- Nov 21, 2009
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what sort of cable do i need to plug it in to my telly so i can play tv sound through it and play ipod films etc
- Asked by IM from Skipton
- Nov 19, 2009
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Can you receive calls while the i phone is plugged in ? Most sound systems stop the i phone operating as a phone
- Asked by AF from CRAMLINGTON
- Nov 18, 2009
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is there a remote control facility available?
- Asked by AT from BIRMINGHAM
- Nov 13, 2009
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Is it possible to remove the iPod dock? I want to use it with my airport express only!
- Asked by SF from Southampton
- Oct 27, 2009
