The B&W Zeppelin Wireless Speaker: An Iconic Design, Smooth Sounds

The design is one the most challenging aspects in reviewing the Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Wireless. As the name suggests, this powered one-box speaker looks like the German airship of yesteryear. Whether one likes this design choice inevitably plays a role on whether one decides to pony up $700 to buy the device. History suggests that plenty of folks must like the style as the Zeppelin Wireless is the fourth in a series of Zeppelin speakers that dates back to 2008.

We weren’t all that thrilled with the look of the Zeppelin Wireless review unit when it arrived. In hindsight, this concern had less to do with the speaker’s actual design. Instead, we were blown away by the speaker’s size and weight.

When taken out of the box, the Zeppelin Wireless looks and feels huge, because it is. The Zeppelin Wireless is 26 inches long, 7.2 inches wide, and 7.4 inches high. It weighs nearly 15 pounds.

Once putting the speaker in place, we realized why the Zeppelin design works. Its horizontal and metal dome design serves as a perfect compliment to any table, bookcase, or sound system. And it’s size? The speaker doesn’t “feel” all that significant when it sits in an average size room.

Under the hood, the Zeppelin Wireless features five drivers: two 25mm double dome tweeters, a pair of FST midrange drivers, and a 150mm subwoofer. On the front, you’ll find a small brand badge, which also serves as an indicator panel.

Like most current generation speakers, controls for the Zeppelin Wireless are handled via a smart device such as an iPhone/iPod touch or iPad. You can also use the three touch controls hidden at the top of the device on the backside. Here you can increase or decrease the volume, play or pause playback, or select the next track.

On the back of the device at the bottom you’ll find ports for power, Ethernet (if necessary), and auxiliary. There is also a reset button.

The Zeppelin Wireless works with Apple AirPlay technology and Bluetooth 4.1. It’s also compatible with Spotify Connect. You’ll need to use the free Control app by Bowers & Wilkins to connect the speaker to your local network using your iOS device.

You can also perform this task on a Mac or PC. To date, there is no Control app for Android-based devices.

We adore the sound on the Zeppelin Wireless. Because of its physical width, the Zeppelin Wireless creates sweeping sounds that are tight with a strongly defined bass. This combination is thanks to the drivers we previously mentioned — each perfected first on other Bowers & Wilkins’ devices.

The double dome tweeters come from the company’s CM Series of Hi-Fi loudspeakers while the midrange FST midrange drivers use a technology found on its 800 Diamond Series line, for example.

The Zeppelin Wireless is definitely upscale, just like the company it represents. If you can get past its price, the product is definitely worth considering. It’s available through the Bowers & Wilkins website and at retailers including Amazon.