The B & W Tradition
B & W, or Bowers & Wilkins is widely known for its avant-garde high-end audio products, so it might seem a surprise that they’ve introduced a tabletop music system and docking station for Apple iPod users. After all, iPod sound is not usually welcome in the world of high-end audio because of its compressed quality. But leave it to a company like B & W with its high-end heritage to make a tabletop system worthy of audiophile praise. The Zeppelin is not just another me-too iPod docking station, but a music system that will impress critical ears and thrill casual listeners. For some, it could easily be a primary music system, and even replace a receiver, CD player and speakers in the family room. The secret behind its rich sound quality is DSP – Digital Signal Processing, a circuit that adjusts the sound to achieve a warm, detailed audio quality at any listening level. To think that the source of the music is an iPod temporarily suspends belief.Inside the Zeppelin
Beneath its elegant exterior, the Zeppelin system is built around a frame of high-strength composite materials and stainless steel, a solid foundation with no vibration or resonance, so you hear the speakers and not the enclosure. Its five-inch bass driver, powered by a 50-watt amplifier delivers solid bass through the Zeppelin’s two rear ports. The bass driver is coupled with two 3.5” midrange drivers and two 1” metal dome tweeters powered by 25-watt stereo amplifiers. Little more than a foot separates the drivers, but with its sculpted front baffle stereo separation is enhanced allowing the drivers to project sound throughout the room.A Home for Your iPod
The Zeppelin’s floating arm holds the iPod, allowing the user to access music as comfortably as if holding the iPod in-hand. Zeppelin is compatible with current generation iPods, and works with many previous iPod models, although some functions on older iPod models are limited. My third-generation iPod Nano worked perfectly and the Zeppelin charged it while docked. For more information about iPod compatibility, check out the B & W website.
You don’t have an iPod? Don’t despair - the Zeppelin will also accept an analog or digital output from an auxiliary source via the mini-jack input on the rear panel. You can add a CD player, tape player , an MP3 player or other source with an audio output and play it on the Zeppelin.
The Zeppelin can also be paired with a television or video display with its composite or S-video output. View stored iPod photos on a video display and control the system with the very ergonomic, egg-shaped remote control, which is a handy feature if you’re seated away from the Zeppelin.
