Audio players on the market – Dock for iPod / iPhone – a lot. This is by far one of the most popular segments of the speakers, an essential element in the range of almost any company engaged in audio products. Yes, do it all. But few who have achieved such success in this as well-deserved British company Bowers & Wilkins. In this article, we will focus on flagship product, the updated unique dock Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Air.
History of Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Airs started in the 60s with John Bowers hand-built speakers for customers in the small town of Worthing, West Sussex. Soon, along with friend Ron Wilkins, he opened a small shop, but the talent of John Bowers with a sincere desire for perfection (partners at the start promised you the maximum profit to invest in product development, leaving only what is necessary for life) led to the fact that the Bowers & Wilkins today It has become one of the most respected companies in the Hi-Fi technology. Oborodovanie B & W used in the studio of George Lucas’ Skywalker Sound, and the most famous recording studio of the world (thanks to The Beatles) Abbey Road. Another original feature of the company is the cooperation with well-known designers. As a result – sometimes futuristic, but always bright external devices. System Zeppelin, first introduced in 2007, can serve as the best proof of that.
All these years, Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Air have not changed you staying “tapped” for sound quality and attention to detail now, to preserve their traditions, but at the same time tracking the spirit of the times: in addition to the classical columns available and the already mentioned dock products Apple, and computer speakers, headphones, and portable and car stereos.
Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Air: Design and construction
Of course, design – is what catches Zeppelin first. Many people simply look at it once to fall in love, without going into details such as sound, or interacting with your iPhone. The unique shape, reminiscent of the great airships of the century (as indicated by the name, and acoustics), noble black and silver color, trim polished black plastic and metal combined with acoustic cloth whose studded speakers. Zeppelin Air is not necessary to “enter” into the interior, it was created to adorn it.
All the necessary minimum of controls located on the center rim, visually fissile stereo into two symmetrical parts, the volume rocker, and power button.
It is taken out directly dock: in “glass”, we see the connector Lightning, designed for iPhone and iPod latest generation; in the range Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Air review. Jobs with the iPad is also available.
Last is located on the back of the device, along with Ethernet, USB, and power connector. Behind the two are vented holes whimsical shapes and a button Reset to reset the device in case of any problems.
Device dimensions -173 x 640 x 208 mm. Weight – 6.2 kg. This is a fairly small thing, no problems with it will not be the placement of the house.
Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Air: Opportunities and sound
Curious fact – a form of “Zeppelin” in the sound system used not only for beauty. Due to the proper placement of the speaker (a subwoofer in the center, mid-range speakers in the middle, at the edges of tweeters) managed to ensure the optimum dispersion of sound. In practice, we get an interesting effect – this system does not need to turn up the volume to cover the sound of larger buildings. Sound travels very easily. It is said that, we do not stunning, sitting close, she sounded quite successfully.
Another interesting engineering solution Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Air – design phase inverters. They are covered with dimples on a golf ball, allowing the effluent to reduce the turbulence of the air; the ball by this faster and more accurate flying and hissing in the sound disappears, the bass become saturated and clean. 50-watt subwoofer allows good “shake” the acoustics, the bass is not only clean but powerful, the floor vibrates, even at a considerable distance from the Zeppelin Air. Through proprietary dynamic equalization system (know-how Bowers & Wilkins) bass is distributed evenly around the room – the floor vibrates even there, to which, in theory, the system should not “kill.”
There are no problems and with medium / high frequencies. The sound, which is capable of Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Air, definitely better than what was expected by the middle of this format. Speaker output power: 25 watts to each of the two high and two midranges. Premium class of the device, in this case, is supported not only big name manufacturer and qualitative execution of corps, as often happens. Of the features we note the Zeppelin Air is not quite up the standard direction of the sound, as if on top of their heads – this is just due to the speaker layout and shape of the device. Located audios item to get the most out of it sounds impossible – it is better to put a little away in the corner – lovely Zeppelin Air is revealed at some distance.
It is worth noting that despite the presence of the sound Zeppelin Air’s own character, bias in any frequency spectrum is not – despite the very clear, elastic bass, which we have already mentioned, the high frequencies are detailed, the voice sounds very juicy and naturally. There are no restrictions on the genre – this thing is likely to appeal most versatile music lovers.
Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Air has a built-in 24-bit DAC that Bowers & Wilkins called “audiophile” – and not without reason. To fully appreciate the quality of the sound system should stock up on iTunes albums in ALAC. But with MP3 friendly system more than successful.
Before you start working with the help of your iPhone or iPod with the Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Air, is to install a special application Bowers & Wilkins Control. It provides, as stated in the title, complete control over the operation of the system: you can adjust the tone and volume for each Zeppelin in the house; easy to set up (there are step by step guide and online help); at key moments of the application can do voice prompts instead of text. This application is useful primarily when connecting to a stereo without wires. Yes, we come to one of the key “chips” Air – supported technology AirPlay. Due to the said application management is easier and more convenient than on the dock of competitors, and the support of several Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Air like the owners of large houses. But note that the Russian language at the moment the application is not supported.
If you do not have the latest iPhone, but really like the Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Air, no reason to get upset. It allows you to connect a stereo device through the line in and coming into the oversampling data are received for a built-in DAC – that is, again, no compromise in quality. Network connection is required for AirPlay configuration and network connection (if there is no Wi-Fi router). USB-port is used to update the firmware (need to connect the speakers to the computer).
Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Air: Summary
Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Air – a unique product. Stereo-shaped airship combines and excellent design, quality and performance, and unprecedented Dock Apple sound – a detailed, clear and at the same time with a very powerful bass, leave no compromises. Yes, it’s not a cheap thing, but it is worth the money – and it interested owners and ordinary iPhone, and sophisticated audiophiles. And due to the full AirPlay support, and corporate applications, it copes with a wireless sound transmission, while remaining the most convenient.
Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Air stands out – primarily due to the consistently bright emotions caused by this excellent stereo system.
Source: Pocket-lint