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Original poster
Apr 12, 2001
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TechCrunch notes that high-end audio firm Bowers & Wilkins has introduced its first two Lightning-equipped speaker docks for iPhone 5 owners, with both the Zeppelin Air and Z2 also supporting AirPlay wireless music streaming from iOS devices.

zeppelin_air_lightning.jpg
Zeppelin Air
The new Zeppelin Air is essentially a Lightning version of the company's original Zeppelin Air wireless speaker with 30-pin dock connector, which Apple has carried in its stores for some time. The new version with Lightning connector will begin shipping in May and be priced at $599.

bowers_z2.jpg
Z2
The Z2 offers a more compact design intended for bedrooms, bathrooms, and other smaller spaces but supporting the same Lightning dock and AirPlay capabilities as the larger Zeppelin Air. The Z2 will be priced at $399 with a black version launching next month and a white version following in June.

Article Link: Bowers & Wilkins Introduces Lightning-Equipped Zeppelin Air and Z2 Speaker Docks With AirPlay
 

bigcat318

macrumors 6502
Dec 25, 2007
377
138
Is the sound quality in these units worth the cost? I am always skeptical of small speaker systems.
 

mikecorp

Suspended
Mar 20, 2008
502
341
I do not understand why radio, clock, alarm is not build in? AirPlay speakers do not justify such a high price for nothing! I do not trust docking stations as they are supported for number of years! I purchased expensive Philips ! 4 -6 years ago, but it was not supported on iPod 4 g after 2.5 years :( well I would love to buy something, but if it would have some more features!
 

Hakone

macrumors 6502a
Oct 5, 2011
509
4
Southern California
Is the sound quality in these units worth the cost? I am always skeptical of small speaker systems.

The sound is above average but the consideration is squeezing every bit of 'performance' out of a small package.

I own a similar product made by Audessey and I was impressed. Owned it for over a year now and it sits in the bathroom Master BR sink. Definitely fills a 14 x 16 room even w/ adequate lows and good mids and highs.

You are paying for a smaller footprint if that's what you're looking for. I paid $300 for the Audessey and I feel it was worth it because it may eventually become my MacBook's speaker sometime in the future. Paying above $300 for this type of gadget would have to have some significant features than just Bluetooth streaming* IMO.
 
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Scepticalscribe

macrumors Ivy Bridge
Jul 29, 2008
63,834
46,281
In a coffee shop.
I have long admired the products produced by B&W, and note the arrival of these two new products with great interest and no small anticipation. The Zeppelin has long been a work of art as well as a superb speaker, and the Z2 looks extremely interesting.

Actually, I own two of the B&W headphones (the P3 and the P5) and I have to say that they are the best headphones I have ever had - attractively designed, neat, great audio, and satisfyingly sturdy as well.
 

Adam22

macrumors regular
Jun 7, 2012
177
0
I do not understand why radio, clock, alarm is not build in? AirPlay speakers do not justify such a high price for nothing! I do not trust docking stations as they are supported for number of years! I purchased expensive Philips ! 4 -6 years ago, but it was not supported on iPod 4 g after 2.5 years :( well I would love to buy something, but if it would have some more features!

Agree.
 

8281

macrumors 6502
Dec 15, 2010
495
631
These just seem way overpriced to me. My Onkyo 5.1 system was $190 refurbed from Amazon, and the Apple TV adds another $90 on top of the speakers.
 

WillFisher

macrumors 6502
Feb 19, 2011
387
16
The Z2 just seems like a Zeppelin mini with Airplay.

What I don't understand is, in the UK the Z2 is £329.
But the A5 is £399.
I'd rather the A5, although I haven't heard the Z2, the A5 is amazing.
If it was priced around £299 I would have been interested.

But thats just my $0.02
 

MN7119

macrumors 6502
Mar 7, 2011
486
564
That ugly arm to attach the iPhone/iPod is totally unnecessary since with the AirPlay I see no reason to attach your device to the speaker. There were many complaints about the older Zeppelin model that the arm was not removable since it is ugly to have it in your room. Until that ugly arm can be removed it is a NO GO for me.
 

Brian Y

macrumors 68040
Oct 21, 2012
3,776
1,064
I do not understand why radio, clock, alarm is not build in? AirPlay speakers do not justify such a high price for nothing! I do not trust docking stations as they are supported for number of years! I purchased expensive Philips ! 4 -6 years ago, but it was not supported on iPod 4 g after 2.5 years :( well I would love to buy something, but if it would have some more features!

Because these do one thing - they're speakers. They aren't your cheap "jack of all trades" iPod dock that you get elsewhere.

I don't have a B&W, but I do have a B&O speaker (the A8 - which is basically their equivalent of the Zeppelin Air). it is the same. It has no clock, no radio, no alarm. It's a speaker, and a damn good one at that.

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That ugly arm to attach the iPhone/iPod is totally unnecessary since with the AirPlay I see no reason to attach your device to the speaker. There were many complaints about the older Zeppelin model that the arm was not removable since it is ugly to have it in your room. Until that ugly arm can be removed it is a NO GO for me.

I agree - B&O have come up with a removable dock which doesn't look like crap when not in use. Not sure why B&W can't do the same.
 

MN7119

macrumors 6502
Mar 7, 2011
486
564
But the B&W Zeppelin design is way nicer than the B&O lunch box design. I would never attach my iPhone to the Zeppelin since I would use it on AirPaly mode but as you said I don't want that arm looking like crap there as if I was missing something. If the Zeppeling was offered just as a plain speaker with no arm I would buy it.

Because these do one thing - they're speakers. They aren't your cheap "jack of all trades" iPod dock that you get elsewhere.

I don't have a B&W, but I do have a B&O speaker (the A8 - which is basically their equivalent of the Zeppelin Air). it is the same. It has no clock, no radio, no alarm. It's a speaker, and a damn good one at that.

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I agree - B&O have come up with a removable dock which doesn't look like crap when not in use. Not sure why B&W can't do the same.
 

Tulipone

macrumors 6502
Jan 30, 2009
349
8
Huntingdon UK
I have a B&W A5 and the sound reproduction is without the best I have heard. I previously owned a Sonos Play 5 and the A5 is much better, to the extent I have reripped all my CDs to a higher quality. The music fills a large space.

As they claim, the A2 is for smaller spaces and I'd imagine it will do it excellently.

You tend to get what you pay for.
 

Brian Y

macrumors 68040
Oct 21, 2012
3,776
1,064
But the B&W Zeppelin design is way nicer than the B&O lunch box design. I would never attach my iPhone to the Zeppelin since I would use it on AirPaly mode but as you said I don't want that arm looking like crap there as if I was missing something. If the Zeppeling was offered just as a plain speaker with no arm I would buy it.

Check the A8 for design :)
 

johnmacward

macrumors 6502
Jul 12, 2011
337
241
Is the sound quality in these units worth the cost? I am always skeptical of small speaker systems.

These systems NOT worth their money for their sound quality, the lack of split speakers is one reason.

There only advantage I've ever found is that as you turn up the volume on these units it's handled quite a bit better than on a $70 speaker system. Sound quality is not necessarily 6 or 7 times better for 6 or 7 times the price though.

If you're into magically good sound and love your music DO NOT be fooled into purchasing these systems for those ends. This is nothing more than a piece of aural furniture.
 

Tulipone

macrumors 6502
Jan 30, 2009
349
8
Huntingdon UK
These systems NOT worth their money for their sound quality, the lack of split speakers is one reason.

There only advantage I've ever found is that as you turn up the volume on these units it's handled quite a bit better than on a $70 speaker system. Sound quality is not necessarily 6 or 7 times better for 6 or 7 times the price though.

If you're into magically good sound and love your music DO NOT be fooled into purchasing these systems for those ends. This is nothing more than a piece of aural furniture.

Without doubt, if you have the space and want to fill it with separated speakers and wires then I am sure you'd get better sound. That is not what these units are about. If you want a small factor that need only have one (power) cable then they are great.

Cheaper speakers, in my opinion, do not have the richness and tones of the better quality ones.

Everyone to their own.
 

simonmet

Cancelled
Sep 9, 2012
2,666
3,663
Sydney
I do not trust docking stations as they are supported for number of years! I purchased expensive Philips ! 4 -6 years ago, but it was not supported on iPod 4 g after 2.5 years :( well I would love to buy something, but if it would have some more features!

I have the MM1 computer speakers, which are great.

The firmware on them is updatable so I suspect that B&W can push updates to ensure compatibility with future iOS versions and devices if necessary. B&W have been around for a LONG time and with amazing products like these I'd say they're at no risk of insolvency.

Also, being a premium or "high-end" speaker company (even though these products are in their consumer range) I'd expect better ongoing support than you got from Phillips.

----------

Without doubt, if you have the space and want to fill it with separated speakers and wires then I am sure you'd get better sound. That is not what these units are about. If you want a small factor that need only have one (power) cable then they are great.

Cheaper speakers, in my opinion, do not have the richness and tones of the better quality ones.

Everyone to their own.

I completely agree. B&W have seen and cater to a particular niche in the market, and they do it very well!

The full-sized Zeppelin is up there with the G4 Cube in being a classic design, except unlike the Cube the Zeppelin actually performs well and is reasonable value.
 

redkamel

macrumors 6502
Aug 29, 2006
437
34
I have the zeppelin air and really like it. Expensive? Yes. But I know have one device that fills all my speaker needs without difficulty. I would examine your goals before you buy one; I needed one device for AirPlay and to act as a soundbar and the zeppelin does both well. The arm is also a place for guests non-lightning iPhones to charge, as all my 30 pin cables are away in a shelf.
 

8ate8

macrumors member
Nov 9, 2010
61
1
Central Jersey
These just seem way overpriced to me. My Onkyo 5.1 system was $190 refurbed from Amazon, and the Apple TV adds another $90 on top of the speakers.

You just compared a used Chevy Cavalier to a new BMW 5-series. Don't call the BMW overpriced because you can't afford it.
 

8281

macrumors 6502
Dec 15, 2010
495
631
You just compared a used Chevy Cavalier to a new BMW 5-series. Don't call the BMW overpriced because you can't afford it.

Haha, WOW, I'll just let the arrogance and judgement wash over me. You can still find fantastic speakers for less money and with more features than this thing, and for the record, my "Chevy Cavalier" system sounds great, thank you very much. You don't have to be such a dick...
 
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TorontoSS

macrumors 65816
Nov 9, 2009
1,002
345
Yeah we don't have to be mean about these things but I have to say the zeppelin air is worth every penny. You can't fault people for paying more or a company for demanding more, for design as well as amazing sound.

it is put in your home after all and if you want to have something that sounds great and looks amazing then unfortunately we have to pay for it.

but really, whatever makes you happy.
 
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