Combining one of the best-sounding iPod speaker docks I have ever heard with the coolest feature I found in my recent review of the iPod touch 4G, the Bowers & Wilkins (B&W) Zeppelin Air promises to be one of the most exciting audio accessories of the year. Originally launched three years ago, the B&W Zeppelin (so named for its tapered oblong shape) was something of a revolution in the world of iPod docks, which were largely either cheap designs of disposable quality, or in some cases overpriced/underperforming status symbols. The subsequent Zeppelin Mini took the product line down a different path, but the Zeppelin Air is something completely different.
For this newest iteration, B&W has completely updated the Zeppelin's drive units, up-rated the amplification and brought new Digital Signal Processing (DSP), which is one of the secrets to the unit's big, impressive sound. Could it sound even better than before? Hard to tell on the bustling Main Hall floor at CES. The basic shape remains however, with slightly modified styling.
Zeppelin Air is a fully active 2.1 (left/right/subwoofer) design, which means that all five units are individually driven by dedicated audiophile amplifiers, custom-designed by B&W. Power-wise, it boasts 25 watts x 4 for the main drive units plus a 50-watt internal subwoofer amp. It also features B&W's Flowport technology and advanced DSP/Dynamic EQ, which in conjunction with a significantly refined port dramatically improve the bass performance. The DACs have also been upgraded, with 24-bit/96KHz capability for compatibility with high-quality audio formats.
Principal among its brand-new perks is surely its support for Apple's new AirPlay feature, brought to the iPad, iPhone and iPod touch only after a post-release firmware update. AirPlay lets users create an easy-to-configure multi-room sound system when linked to an iTunes account on a PC or Mac, even delivering music to multiple Zeppelin Airs around the house. We can also push music wirelessly from an iPad, iPhone or iPod touch to the Zeppelin Air over a home network.
Unlike a lot of what we saw and heard at the show, this one comes with an availability date (March), and a manufacturer's suggested retail price ($599.99).
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