[ad_1]
(Pocket-lint) – Bowers & Wilkins launched its first Zeppelin speaker in 2007. Initially an iPod dock set into an enormous, oval speaker system, it turned an iconic product for Apple system followers.Subsequent follow-ups appeared in 2011 and 2015 – within the type of the Zeppelin Air and Zeppelin Wi-fi, respectively – every adopting a characteristic set relying on the music listening developments on the time. However issues have been quiet ever since, each figuratively and actually.Now it is again for 2021, rebooted and refreshed because the Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin anew. It ditches the final remnants of wired or dock-like connectivity, although, going extra wi-fi than even the Wi-fi mannequin ever was, and as soon as once more brings to a modernising characteristic set to the desk.Like its forebears, it’s a premium one-box stereo speaker answer and has a value to match, however contemplating the audio panorama is now so saturated with cheaper, mass-market alternate options, does it provide sufficient to make a major splash?Design and ease of useDimensions: 210mm (H) x 650mm (W) x 194mm (D) / Weight: 6.5kgConnections: No ports, USB-C for service onlySetup by Music by Bowers & Wilkins appFinishes: Midnight Gray, Pearl GreyCertainly it appears the half. That actually iconic form is again – elliptical and eponymously zeppelin-shaped – however this time set on a stand that makes it seem like it is floating.Pocket-lintIt is product of premium supplies, with LED lighting constructed into the stand so that you get a halo lighting impact when in operation. That is dimmable too, together with the flexibility to show it off fully, however we just like the aesthetic.There are controls on the highest rear of the speaker, though they’re purposely easy. Quantity, play/pause and an Alexa voice management button are ranged alongside a multi-function button that can be utilized for pairing and energy.Connectivity can also be sparse, with a USB-C port for service functions, energy (a figure-of-eight cable) and a reset button.All the pieces in regards to the new Zeppelin is designed round ease of use. The concept is that, after preliminary setup, you barely have to the touch it once more. All the pieces is managed by the devoted Music by Bowers & Wilkins app or through a direct Bluetooth connection. You can not join a wired supply, which has its downsides, however that is considerably the purpose.Pocket-lintSometime in 2022, this Zeppelin may also acquire compatibility with Bowers & Wilkins Formation audio system for multiroom playback, but it surely’s a standalone product on the time of writing.{Hardware} and speaker unitsSpeakers: 2x 25mm dome tweeters, 2x 90mm mid-range drivers, 1x 150mm wooferFrequency response: 35 to 24,000Hz, Whole energy output: 240WBluetooth 5.0 (aptX Adaptive, AAC, SBC codecs), Wi-FiFar-field microphones for Alexa voice assistantUnderneath the speaker grille are some actual treats.Pocket-lintWhile stereo, the system successfully boasts a 2.1 setup. There are two 1-inch decoupled double-dome tweeters – as present in B&W’s wonderful 600 bookshelf and floorstanding vary. They’re remoted at every of the furthest edges of the Zeppelin to scale back distortion created by the opposite speaker models.They management the excessive frequencies, whereas a pair of three.5-inch drivers with the corporate’s proprietary mounted suspension transducer (FST) tech deal with the midrange. Once more, these have bled down from different B&W audio system, together with the 800 Collection Diamond line.Final, however actually not least, there’s a 6-inch devoted subwoofer entrance and centre of the array. It naturally handles the low-end of the frequency spectrum and, in our assessments, very ably besides. Whereas many audio system and soundbars declare ‘sub’, the Zeppelin is not kidding: its 35Hz minimal frequency output is firmly in that enviornment.When it comes to wi-fi applied sciences, the Zeppelin helps Bluetooth 5.0 and Wi-Fi. Additionally it is licensed for aptX Adaptive so can deal with hi-resolution music streamed through a appropriate Android cellphone. We had been informed that is primarily on the aptX HD facet, so can obtain and playback tracks streamed in as much as 24-bit/48kHz (albeit a bit of “lossy” as that technology of the codec is not excellent). Qualcomm’s newest format, aptX Lossless, will not be supported – however appropriate merchandise for that aren’t anticipated to begin to hit the market till later in 2022.Pocket-lintAmazon Alexa voice help is constructed into the speaker system itself. There is no want for a separate Echo system, for instance, as there are a number of far subject microphones set into the Zeppelin. Nonetheless, it was unavailable at time of testing. We’ll replace this evaluation when the software program brings it on-line, however do not feel our expertise was diminished a lot regardless. It is a high-end audiophile product and, as such, voice assistant management is a pleasant further however hardly the be all and finish all.App and servicesBowers & Wilkins Music app (iOS and Android)Companies: Tidal, Qoboz, Deezer, TuneIn, Final.fm, SoundcloudApple Airplay 2, Spotify ConnectThe primary technique of management is thru the Music by Bowers & Wilkins app for Apple iOS and Google Android.That you must use it to hook up with the system within the first place, then setup its community capabilities (which is does comparatively autonomously). You may as well join it to your Amazon account for Alexa management (when that is useful) and hyperlink a number of music companies to stream from.Pocket-lintQoboz, Tidal, Deezer and TuneIn are amongst these obtainable and, when linked, they populate the app with all of the playlists, albums and searchable tracks you may hope for. You needn’t exit the app to play any music from a linked service and also you get suggestions and lately performed content material bars to make issues simpler.Handily, there are additionally some B&W curated playlists that may give your new speaker a great take a look at.The app works as a hub, so you choose the tunes on it however the speaker streams immediately from the service reasonably than your cellphone. At current, Hello-Res Audio is barely obtainable through Qoboz this fashion (it does not at the moment help Tidal’s MQA tracks, for instance), however you possibly can all the time use different direct streaming strategies too.Apple AirPlay 2 streaming is out there for iPhone, iPad and Mac customers, as is Spotify Join. And, as we have mentioned above, Qualcomm’s aptX Adaptive (which covers aptX HD) is supported for these with appropriate Android units.Pocket-lintThat primarily means you possibly can feed lossless or near-to-lossless audio from different streaming companies, simply over various means. A wired connection would have been good for a really lossless hook-up, however the supreme high quality of the audio output on even probably the most lossy tracks means you’re unlikely to listen to fractional enhancements – or, at the least, care.Importantly, Bowers & Wilkins makes it as simple as doable to feed the Zeppelin along with your music, radio stations, podcasts and another (wi-fi) audio you wish to take heed to.PerformanceDynamic EQ in appHi-Res Audio playbackBar a few niggles, such because the delay to Alexa help and a bit of extra legwork throughout setup than we might hoped, this reborn nice is every thing we might hoped.Pocket-lintBowers & Wilkins is a dyed within the wool audiophile firm. It makes nice headphones, however audio system are its bread and butter; its heritage. This Zeppelin, like former fashions, continues the legacy of offering most oomph with out the necessity for separates. It’s subsequently perfect for individuals who need glossy design and aesthetic simplicity, however with out a trade-off in sonics.The system boasts a mixed whole amplified energy output of 240W and, in actuality, you may by no means even attain it. We performed all our take a look at tracks at a tiny fraction of the utmost quantity – between 10 and 20 per cent – and had been even then worrying what the neighbours will suppose.Sitting atop an AV stand, we skilled throaty bass that resonated by our chests – a correct whoomp of low frequencies that put important meat on the bones of The Beatles’ Come Collectively. And Roni Dimension’s Brown Paper Bag stuffed the air with tangible jungle beats you may nearly contact. All with out muddying the accompanying electronica.The spacing is nice too. Do not anticipate soundbar-like wave beaming – this unashamedly gives a front-facing expertise, as is anticipated of a stereo output – however you do get a large soundstage that delivers each notice, each pull of a guitar string, all with out compromise.Pocket-lintThis is significantly evidenced in Began Out With Nothin, by Seasick Steve, with the flexibility to pick each recording foible and the distinctive sounds of his strumming type and homespun percussion. The ASMR-style warblings of Billie Eilish on No Time To Die have additionally not often sounded higher.Briefly, this can be a powerhouse of a speaker system however with advantageous management. It sounds very good at any quantity too.
Greatest Alexa audio system 2021: High Amazon Echo alternate options
By Britta O’Boyle
·
23 October 2021
Verdict
Bowers & Wilkins may have undoubtedly been nervous in reintroducing one in every of its most iconic merchandise, particularly as there are such a lot of alternate options on the market now in any respect value factors. There are even direct rivals, such because the Sonos 5, that may set you again much less.Nonetheless, you possibly can depend on one finger the quantity of audio system that mix streaming simplicity with such audiophilic prowess. The 2021 Zeppelin is a fairly magnificent wi-fi music answer, with the appears to go along with it.Sure, there are a few minor quibbles for now – together with the dearth of Alexa help on the time of reviewing – but it surely’s simple to miss them when namesake Led Zeppelin’s Kashmir is totally enveloping you.It is a triumphant return of a much-loved favorite and effectively value contemplating if you wish to hold life easy.
Additionally considerPocket-lintNaim Mu-so 2The sound high quality from this industrial field is second to none, though its styling is arguably much less alluring than the Bowers & Wilkins. It is a chunk of money pricier too.squirrel_widget_148701
Writing by Rik Henderson. Initially printed on 23 October 2021.
[ad_2]