Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin iPod Dock Review

Dec 31 2007, 12:00am CST | by Shane McGlaun

If you received a new iPod or iPhone for Christmas and are looking for a speaker dock so you can get more depth from your tunes Bowers and Wilkins has the product for you. The B&W Zeppelin is a roughly football shaped speaker dock that offers great sound and an interesting look. Read the full B&W Zeppelin review for all the details.

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Features & Specifications
The B&W Zeppelin uses digital signal processing, a digital amplifier, and a switch mode power supply. The amplified output provides 50W for the subwoofer, and 2 x 25 watts for the midrange and tweeter. Inputs include a 30-pin iPod connector, 3.5mm mini jack analog connector, USB 2.0 connector and an optical digital out. Outputs include S-video and Composite Video. The B&W Zeppelin is a fairly large design measuring in at 640mm W x 208mm D x 198mm H with the tilt pad.

The B&W Zeppelin is a very simple looking design with no LCD screens and no ports visible from the front of the device. The only thing you see when you walk up to the B&W Zeppelin is the shiny polished stainless steel and black speaker along with the iPod dock on the front of the device. A red LED glows behind the black cloth speaker grills to show when the unit is in standby mode, dock your iPod and the red LED turns blue to let you know you are ready to listen.

The B&W Zeppelin charges your iPod at the same time that it plays tracks. A tilt pad is provided that raises the front of the speaker allowing you to see track information on the iPod more easily. A power switch is located on the front of the B&W Zeppelin hidden in the polished stainless steel trip on the front of the dock.

On the rear of the B&W Zeppelin are several different inputs and outputs. These will allow you to output video content from your iPod to a TV or computer screen. A USB input allows for software upgrades as well. The shape of the B&W Zeppelin is attractive, but seems large when compared to other iPod docks I have seen. The shape is football like, though as you can tell from the name of the product the design is based on a blimp.

Other features include a wireless remote control that allows you to control all of the functions of the B&W Zeppelin from across the room. The small remote is glossy black and rounded with a stone like organic design. You can control power to the B&W Zeppelin, track and volume with the remote.

Sound Quality
Sound is the real appeal of the B&W Zeppelin, and it has sound in droves. I like bass to my music, but not to the point of overpowering the mids and high sounds. The B&W Zeppelin has fantastic bass along with crisp and sharp highs and mid range sounds. Sound output is rich and to achieve this the B&W Zeppelin uses three amplifiers, one for the mid, one for left, one for right and one for bass. The wide design of the dock also allows for a wider listening area.

If there is any downside to the B&W Zeppelin it is the price. At $599.95 you can hardly call the dock cheap. However, any audiophile will gladly pay that kind of money for speakers that delivery more passion in their music, and the B&W Zeppelin is simply top notch when it comes to depth of sound from your music. If you want the best sound you can get from an iPod dock, the B&W Zeppelin is the product you want to buy.

Verdict

Conclusion

Pros

Fantastic sound quality
Good looks
Multiple inputs and outputs

Cons

Steep price tag

Verdict
If you are after the best sound you can get from an iPod dock and price isn’t a concern, the B&W Zeppelin is the item you want to buy. This is the speaker dock for iPod owners looking for the best sound regardless of the price.

9.0

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Shane McGlaun
Leading our review center, Shane knows technology inside out. His extensive experience in testing computer hardware and consumer electronics enable him to effectively qualify new products and trends. If you want us review your product, please contact Shane.
Shane can be contacted directly at shane@i4u.com.