Martin Lévay The yellow jersey of the AirPlay racers clearly belongs to Zeppelin Air by Bowers & Wilkins. At a price of up to 15, you will get the uncompromising best sound on the market of wireless speakers for the iPhone only with the Zeppelin Air. But every penny of the fifteen thousand will honestly work for you, as the engineers at Bowers & Wilkins taught her. There is no doubt that he can do it in B&W. Just listen to A5, A7 or Zeppelin and you know where you're at right away.
Welcome to the first league
Don't worry, I will cool down any uncritical admiration with criticism right from the start. Zeppelin Air have too much bass in my opinion. The bass plays stronger than other speakers, more prominently, more densely. But I will not measure it, it will remain with the feeling, which I will supplement with the following. Even if Zeppelin added, emphasized and beautified the bass a hundred times, I don't care at all and I take it all ten...
Sound
Likeable. Simply likable, in a good way. Now that you know, it's nothing to write home about. The only conflicting theme is more bass than the other speakers. Not too much, not medium, just enough to make it sound great. Yes, Zeppelin sounds great. Again, I feel like it adds some processed dynamics to the sound, but again, it's completely stolen from me because the result is great. I know I've said it before, I know you don't believe me and I don't care. Take your iPhone, feed it a quality recording and go listen to the store.
A little history never killed anyone
The original Zeppelin did not have wireless playback, it only worked with a dock or via an audio cable with a 3,5mm jack connected to the rear panel. Crazy was the material that added weight to the base, so the speakers could lean back and play very precise and distinct bass. The rear baffle with bass reflex holes was made of chrome-plated metal. Luxurious appearance and perfect sound were two things that made the Zeppelin speaker a legend. Do you want the best speaker for your iPod? Buy a Zeppelin - that was the advice of the experts. I will repeat it for myself just to be sure. If you want the best wireless sound for your iPhone, iPod or iPad, buy the Zeppelin Air. Those who bought an older model need not be sad. The difference was about three thousand, so if you buy the Airport Express for the older Zeppelin, you will have a more convenient AirPlay setup via Wi-Fi, and it is still superior in terms of sound to competing audio docks priced under 15 thousand.
After two years
Metallica, Dream Therater, Jamiroquai, Jammie Cullum, Madonna, dance music, I put Zeppelin through it all and couldn't find a single flaw. Any genre from metal to disco to jazz and classical sounds excellent, dynamic, with space. When placed well, even the distribution of stereo channels can be recognized. I'm not surprised that Zeppelin sold the most in the category over ten thousand crowns. My suspicion that there is some kind of sound enhancer inside is very strong, just a normal amp and normal speakers can't play that well. The original Zeppelin (stainless steel, no AirPlay) had one amplifier for mids and treble and another for bass (2+1), in the new Zeppelin Air there is a separate amplifier for treble and a separate amplifier for mids, plus a fifth amplifier for bass (4+1). But still, "something" is there. And it certainly doesn't matter, it certainly doesn't. The sound processor is clearly to the benefit of the resulting sound.
It's not plastic like plastic
Wireless connection requires the material to be permeable to electromagnetic waves, which is why the Zeppelin Air uses ABS plastic instead of metal. For us, ABS means great scratch resistance, by which I mean it's something significantly better than the green plastic ruler from Logarex. Thanks to the shaping of the plastic, the authors achieved great rigidity. Therefore, the diaphragms in the speaker have something to lean on and the baffle does not "diverge" at higher volumes. The bass of the Zeppelin Air is absolutely incredible. And I'll add a bonus. I listened to both models side by side, although the original metal Zeppelin played very well, the plastic model should logically play worse, but it doesn't. The plastic body of the Zeppelin Air combined with a pair of additional amplifiers really makes the sound a little nicer, cleaner and stronger, although it seems impossible. You can't imagine how much I hate this, but I have to say that the plastic version of the Zeppelin sounds better.
Where with him?
Probably the funniest was the new owner, who originally wanted "something better for the bathroom". Only when I didn't speak for a while and just stared did he add that he meant the pool. Twenty-five meters. No matter, because Zeppelin Air can really make a big splash. In the small space of the block bathroom it is really dangerous for human hearing. A paneled room, a larger living room or a summer terrace are all places where Zeppelin Air will feel at home, and it will be enough to sound even a family party. Attention, it is intended for indoor use, take it to the terrace only in good weather, not in direct sunlight and not in humidity right by the pool. And the stand with the iPhone dock connector is not a carrying handle, even if it tempts you, so watch out for that.
Wirelessly via Wi-Fi
The weak point is setting up the connection to the home Wi-Fi network. It is a good idea to read the manual, you will need a computer with an internet browser. I managed it with Mac and Safari, it is certainly possible with Windows and IE or Firefox. I have to admit that speakers from JBL have solved this better through the mobile application, they also appeared on the market later. The IP address you are looking for is http://169.254.1.1, you can find it in the manual.
USB
Both the Zeppelin and the Zeppelin Air have a USB port that does one thing: I plug my iPhone into the Zeppelin's dock and use the USB cable to sync with iTunes on my computer. It's like having an iPhone connected via a classic 30-pin cable connected directly to the computer, but there's an extra Zeppelin connection between the computer and the iPhone. An active sound card that would appear in the Mac as another sound device does not happen, only the Bose Companion 3 and 5 and the B&W A7 can do it. But I digress.
Comparison with others
The right shape and high-quality material, an amplifier for each speaker separately, the tweeters used are considered to be the best reference studio speakers on the planet, in addition, a top-class DSP (digital sound processor) - even classic wooden loudspeakers with a high-quality amplifier included in the price have a hard time trumping that. over 20 thousand. Zeppelin Air is called the king in its category, and rightly so, in my opinion. It's not fair to compare him with others, so I dare not do it. Comparing anything to Zeppelin Air is not fair to those being compared, so please don't do it.
updates
Zeppelin Air now has a younger brother with a Lightning connector. The app for iOS in the App Store greatly simplifies the setup of the new Zeppelin, thereby eliminating the last complaint about the ease of setup. The sound and performance did not seem to change, I couldn't tell the difference even when both models (30pin and Lightning) were standing next to each other. The Zeppelin Air with Lightning connector confidently defended its position at the top, it may be close to the B&W A7, but it hasn't let anyone in front of it in its price category, so the Zeppelin Air is still a safe bet.
We discussed these living room audio accessories one by one:
[related-posts]
Does anyone have experience with the B&W Z2? I wanted the B&W A5 but it doesn't have a dock and the Z2 does.
The Z2 is the successor to the Zeppelin mini, sound wise. The mini had a 30 pin dock and no wireless. The sound was top notch, but the smaller size just wasn't as loud as the larger Zeppelin or B&W A5 models. The volume was close to the Bose SoundDock, the sound is about the same, maybe more pleasant. So Z2: excellent sound for an ordinary living room, as a backdrop, for ordinary listening. It's not quite for home discos and karaoke, but all AirPlay speakers in this class play loud enough, so you don't have to worry about performance. You just have to think carefully that bigger (and more expensive) models will play stronger. If it's not important, the sound from both the mini and the Z2 is very good, I was thrilled, it's definitely among the top.
The Z2 has a Lightning connector, so as a desktop dock for charging an iPhone 5 or higher, it seems like a very good investment. Attention, it is not intended for charging iPads! If you want something for the iPad as well, it is important to tell the seller so that they recommend a model that has enough current in the connector to charge the powerful battery in the iPad. To simplify: 1A (Ampere) is for iPhone and 2A (more precisely 2,1 Amperes) are iPad chargers. Audio devices with a lower charging current overheat when overloaded and there is a risk of destroying the electronics in the audio device. While this isn't a problem with the Z2, it's a good idea to be careful with the iPad audio dock.
Thanks This is what I needed to know, so I'm going to Z2!
You can't go wrong with B&W, there's no reason to waste money on an overpriced useless item. And the use of WiFi is another argument for convenient use, so I can recommend it. If I didn't get addicted to the A7, I wouldn't mind the Z2 at home at all, it really plays great.
You bought a Z2 for the office (after struggling with AirPort Express and a normal hifi cable) and I am very satisfied. It seems to me that there is a little more bass, but you used the equalizer in iTunes and adjusted it to your taste. Otherwise, the performance is great, the sound is perfect. You also connected the normal hi-fi for listening to the radio, so I can get rid of the boxes that were with this tower and now just take up space :-) So complete satisfaction.
I have it at home and I can only confirm the positives described above, it really plays great.
Would anyone here be able to compare the Zeppelin Air with the NAD VISO 1 AP AirPlay Music System? Thanks
I would guess that no one will compare. No one will display these two products side by side, so you have to compare it yourself. NAD is not a mass market to have it in a store next to SONY. But with NAD, I wouldn't be afraid that it will play badly, it belongs to the category of true high-end after all.
Wouldn't it be possible to include the NAD in some other part of the Air Play speaker review? The manufacturer states that it is clearly the best :-). Otherwise, thanks for your articles!
NAD is a matter of philosophy, fans will find it and try it. But since you can't buy it in a supermarket where it's on display and you can try it on, I can't get to it. And anyway, most of the readers of Jablíčkára won't get to it, so the information would be of no use to them. I was describing the audio equipment that I sold myself, many people see them, they walk around, I wanted to at least give a hint on how to find out. So it's stupid to me, but until something changes, I'm already saying in advance that I won't write about it, even if it interested me, so yes. I saw the price under twenty thousand, that promises an interesting experience.
I'm sorry that I can't comply, my capacities are limited, as I wrote elsewhere, it's impossible to handle everything :-)
Thank you very much for your support and understanding.
The NAD is like an Apple to me. About 20 years ago I saw a review of it in a stereo&video magazine, it was some kind of CD-player. The price was clearly unaffordable at the time, but the design.. In the age of over-buttoned, variously flashing hifi towers.. Absolute beauty, simple and beautifully clean design.
Although maybe it's better if such things remain only in dreams. 4 years ago, I bought my first Apple - iMac 27″ after a long time of shopping around because of the design, quietness and resolution of the monitor. And I probably don't even need to write about the user nirvana that continues to this day. And that's the catch, over time you need a laptop, mobile phone, ... all at multiple prices compared to the competition, but you can't imagine stepping back from the user experience you've started :-)).
So if you happened to meet the NAD somewhere, try to revise your view of the matter, listen to how it plays and above all write it here :-). Personally, I wouldn't rule out writing about things that aren't exactly mainstream meat products. It is thanks to such reviews that a person may have a chance to get to something really good, which he does not have a chance to meet under normal circumstances.
I have no problem listening to him. I have trouble meeting him :-)
I would like to get a smaller speaker with AirPlay under the tree. For now, I'm torn between the B&W Z2 and the Bose SoundLink Air Digital Music System. Which one would you recommend, or something else in a similar price range? I don't need a bigger size, this is already loud enough for me.
I have to correct you, the zeppelin Air 30 pin i lightning has a sound card in it, i.e. after connecting to a computer via USB, it is installed as another sound device, the so-called Asynchronous USB
I am currently selling Zeppelin Air in Datart for 11111 Kc, 30 pin version, but I have an iphone 5, do you know if any 30 pin - lighting reduction works with it? But I'm probably going to use it via airplay, so maybe it doesn't matter, the price is ok?:o) Or would something better be around 11-12 thousand at the moment? thank you
I bought a Zeppelin Air from Bowers & Wilkinsto in the bazaar for 5 thousand CZK. After connecting the iPod, I almost stopped breathing in amazement. The sound is simply uncompromising, absolute and unique. Everyone just has to experience it personally!!!
Yes, it's great for 5 thousand. I also have it for 4 thousand. But in terms of format, it's already old.