Technology

A classic reimagined: Bowers & Wilkins debuts all-new Zeppelin wireless sound system

The Pearl Grey Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin wireless speaker on a wooden sideboard

One of the most iconic designs in home Hi-Fi, the Zeppelin wireless speaker from Bowers & Wilkins, is flying again. 

But while the original, launched by B&W in 2007, had a built-in iPod dock, this new iteration is fully equipped for streaming music services, has Amazon Alexa built-in, and boasts a host of other improvements designed for better audio performance.

The new Zeppelin is equipped with aptX Adaptive Bluetooth. Apple users get to play with Airplay 2. There are no physical inputs. 

The new Zep is still built around a stereo speaker array, with 89mm FST (Fixed Suspension Transducer) mid-range drivers and a pair of 25mm Decoupled Double Dome tweeters, positioned to each edge for a wide stereo soundstage. Adding welcome wallop is a 152mm bass driver. Not short of room-filling power, total power output is rated at 240W.

The new Zep features a stereo speaker array, with a pair of 25mm Decoupled Double Dome tweeters positioned to each edge for a wide stereo soundstage…

Build quality of this 2021 Zeppelin appears typically impeccable. The enclosure is sculpted for a superior acoustic performance, while the driver technology has trickled down from the brand’s luxury 800 Series Diamond speakers, as used in Abbey Road Studios, and its 600 Anniversary Series.

The B&W Music App is a source of Tidal, Qobuz, Last.fm, Deezer and TuneIn. Spotify Connect is also onboard.

The Bluetooth speaker is set to gain multiroom functionality with a firmware update expected early 2022. When this lands, owners will be able to link multiple Zeppelin speakers (well, why not?), or mix and match with B&W’s Formation wireless speakers.

The all-new Zeppelin comes in a choice of either Midnight or Pearl Grey, and adding a little bit of frippery is a dimmable halo light that highlights the speaker’s pedestal stand.

The all-new Zeppelin sells for £699.

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About Steve May

Creator of Home Cinema Choice magazine, and editor of The Luxe Review, Steve muses and reviews for Trusted Reviews, T3, Yahoo UK, Home Cinema Choice, Games Radar, Ideal Home, Louder Sounds, Channel News and Boat International. He’s also the editor of professional home cinema website Inside CI. He's on Twitter and Instagram as @SteveMay_UK

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