Bowers & Wilkins announced a new Zeppelin speaker. It updates the striking design with modern connectivity, smarts, and connectivity. The speaker is compatible with wireless standards such as Apple AirPlay 2 or Qualcomms AptX Adaptive. It also features Alexa for voice control and music playback. Available in light and dark grey, the new Zeppelin can be ordered starting today at $799 / 699/ 799.
When it was launched in 2007, the original Zeppelin was one the most popular iPod docks. It has been updated many times as music listening habits have changed. The Zeppelin Air supported Apple's AirPlay standard, and the Zeppelin Wireless focused on wireless connectivity using standards such as Spotify Connect or AptX Bluetooth. However, it retained a 3.5mm input for wired options.
B&W's new 2021 Zeppelin is now fully wireless. There is a USB-C port and a power socket on the back of the Zeppelin, but these are only used to service rather than connect to a music source. The Zeppelin supports all wireless standards including AAC and SBC and AptX adaptive Bluetooth codecs (but not AptX lossless), AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect and B&W's Music app which provides support for streaming services such as Deezer, Qobuz and Tidal. Google Assistant is not available with Alexa, and Chromecast support is not built-in.
B&W plans to support the Zeppelin in multi-room configurations, and will be adding support for it soon. The feature allows users to pair multiple Zeppelins with B&W's connected Formation speakers. You can also use AirPlay 2 to create a similar setup if you're using iOS. You shouldn't expect to be capable of pairing two Zeppelins as a stereo pair. B&W states that the multi-room functionality allows each Zeppelin, to provide stereo sound.
The new Zeppelin's internal configuration includes a pair of tweeters measuring one inch and two mid-range drivers measuring 3.5 inches. A single subwoofer measuring six inches is also included. It has a total power output of 240W. There is no remote control like the previous Zeppelins. However, the speaker has a set physical playback controls at the rear. Alexa does not have a physical off switch.
The Zeppelin was a popular all-in-one speaker in the era before iPod docks. Bowers & Wilkins seems to have lost ground to Sonos and Amazon in recent years as smart speakers and multi-room audio have overtaken them. The company hopes to reverse this trend with the new Zeppelin.
