The original Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin was a rather successful wireless loudspeaker for the British manufacturer, but it was quickly overshadowed by dozens of “me too” products that entered the wireless loudspeaker category.
The original Zeppelin was an iPod dock and with that product relegated to the dustbin of history by Apple, it was probably time for a refresh. 14 years have passed since its introduction and it’s nice to know that Bowers & Wilkins have something far more advanced in 2021 that will likely appeal to a lot of consumers looking for a sleek and better sounding alternative.
The Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin faces some stiff competition from Sonos, Bluesound, and KEF so it needs to offer more than just connectivity and strong sonic performance to stand out.
The $799 USD retail price makes it more expensive the comparable speakers from Bluesound and Sonos but cheaper than the KEFs.
The new Zeppelin is a complete stereo system in one component, drawing on Bowers & Wilkins expertise in premium loudspeaker design for both studios and the home. It features reference quality drive unit technologies arranged in dedicated left and right speaker assemblies around a central, large subwoofer, all powered by 240W of amplification.
Available in two finishes, one dark (midnight grey) and one light (pearl grey), the all-new and completely redesigned Zeppelin also includes switchable, dimmable ambient lighting to create a ‘halo’ effect on to its metal pedestal stand.
Streaming Access
If you want to stream music from your mobile device, tablet or computer, the new Zeppelin includes bothAirPlay 2 and aptX Adaptive Bluetooth, making it suitable for both iOS and Android users.
Spotify fans can also enjoy the convenience of Spotify Connect, ensuring both high-quality sound and convenient, easy operation. And best of all, the new Zeppelin can also be controlled via the Bowers & Wilkins Music App, which gives instant access to a host of streaming services including Deezer, Last.fm, Qobuz, Soundcloud, TIDAL and TuneIn.
Connected, Smart, and Intuitive
The new Zeppelin supports Alexa voice control which has become a standard feature on a number of wireless loudspeakers. More importantly, the Zeppelin has been designed to be the hub of a wireless Bowers & Wilkins multi-room system using additional Zeppelin models or the more expensive Formation range of hi-res wireless speakers. The multi-room capability is not available at launch but is expected to be activated in early 2022.
Technical Features:
- Bowers & Wilkins Music App (with Deezer, Qobuz, and TIDAL support)
- Apple AirPlay 2
- Spotify Connect
- Bluetooth In
- Digital Signal Processing
- Dynamic EQ
- Bluetooth 5.0 aptX Adaptive, AAC, SBC
- Drive units:
- HF 2 x 25mm (1”) double dome tweeters
- MF 2 x 90mm (3 ½”) FST midrange
- LF 1 x 150mm (6”) subwoofer
Price & Availability
The Zeppelin is available from October 13, 2021 for $799 at bowerswilkins.com and Amazon and from select dealers.
