Audio Section
Variety of Sources

Audio Section

Improved Sound Dispersion: The original Zeppelin's unique shape was designed to help sound dispersion. Zeppelin Air retains that shape, but now features smaller mid-range drive units to help the sound dispersion even further. This produces a more open, natural sound. Combined with the same tweeters as the award-winning B&W MM-1 computer speakers, Zeppelin Air delivers an incredibly detailed, wide, room filling performance.

Digital Signal Processing (DSP): Zeppelin Air's proprietary Bowers & Wilkins Digital Signal Processing (DSP) using double-precision processing and in-house algorithms optimizes speaker control. Simply put, this means Zeppelin Air performs like a considerably larger loudspeaker and produces room filling, controlled bass no matter how loud you like your music.

Audiophile DAC: In the digital world, the Digital to Analog Converters (DAC) are vital for getting the best from high-quality speakers. On Zeppelin Air all inputs are up-sampled through the audiophile-quality 96kHz/24bit DAC, including wireless music using AirPlay. This has the effect of lowering distortion, creating a smoother sound.

2.1 Speaker Design: Its fully active 2.1 design means that all five speakers are individually driven by dedicated audiophile class D amplifiers, which were specially designed for Bowers & Wilkins.

• Tweeters: The high frequencies are handled by a pair of 1" aluminum dome tweeters. The sound is enhanced by an adapted version of B&W's trademark Nautilus tweeter tube.
• Midranges: The unit features two 3" cone midranges, made from highly-optimized glass fiber.
• Woofer: The single 5" woofer features an oversized magnet, a 4-layer voice coil, and a Kevlar-reinforced cone. The woofer is mounted in the center--the deepest part of the Zeppelin Air's sleek enclosure--with rear-firing ports on each side.

Discrete Digital Amplifiers: Powering the speakers are five high-quality digital amplifiers with a total of 150 watts. The single woofer is driven by a dedicated 50 watt amplifier, while each tweeter and midrange is driven by a dedicated 25 watt amplifier.

Flowport Technology: The Bowers & Wilkins Flowport technology dramatically improves the system's overall bass performance. The unit's dual rear-firing ports are dimpled to improve air flow, reducing turbulence. The result is less chuffing noise and less compression at high levels; which means better bass no matter how loud you like your music.

Bass Enhancement: When you place the Zeppelin Air with its back against the wall, the bass level is boosted, and more so if it is in a corner. The unit's "Speakers" setting has a tone control option which allows you to adjust the bass output. The default setting (Bass 0) should be used when the Zeppelin Air is on an open table. The Bass -1 setting should be used when the Zeppelin Air is against a single wall, and Bass -2 when placed in a corner to compensate for the added bass boost from the speaker's positioning. Personal preference settings (Bass +1 and Bass -3) are also provided.

Variety of Sources

AirPlay: Apple's AirPlay technology allows music, downloaded to iTunes, to be streamed (wired or wirelessly) from your Mac or PC to the Zeppelin Air. You can even bypass the computer entirely, and stream high-quality audio directly from your Apple iPod touch, iPhone, or iPad (all without the need to dock the device). The Zeppelin Air even supports Apple Lossless audio file transfer. The Zeppelin Air and your AirPlay audio source must be connected to the same wireless network via a WiFi (802.11g/n) router or hub.

• iTunes Streaming: The B&W Zeppelin Air is able to play audio from your computer's iTunes account either wirelessly (WiFi) or via a wired (Ethernet) connection using AirPlay streaming technology. When connected to the same network as a computer running iTunes, the Zeppelin Air can appear as an output option in the pop-up menu at the bottom of the iTunes window. You can then browse your iTunes collection on your computer and stream music to the Zeppelin Air. To use the Zeppelin Air AirPlay feature you need a Mac or Windows-based PC running iTunes (10.1 or later) connected to the same wireless (WiFi) network.
• Apple Device Streaming: AirPlay also lets you wirelessly stream music and music apps stored on your iPod touch, iPhone, or iPad to the Zeppelin Air. So there's no need to dock your Apple device, unless you want to charge it. By downloading Apple's free "Remote" application onto your iPod touch, iPhone, or iPad you don't even need to be in the same room as the components or your computer to play, pause, skip, and stop the songs in your iTunes music library. The Zeppelin Air AirPlay feature works with iPod touch, iPhone, and iPad with iOS 4.3.3 or later - connected to the same wireless network.

B&W Control App: In order to connect your Apple device to the B&W Zeppelin Air wireless music system, you will need to download the Bowers & Wilkins AirPlay Control App onto your iPod touch, iPhone, or iPad (running iOS 4.4.3 or later). The Bowers & Wilkins AirPlay Control App is also available to download for your Mac computer or Windows PC from the Bowers & Wilkins Support Site, allowing you to set up and manage the wireless music system from your computer.

iPod/iPhone Lightning Dock Connector: The Zeppelin Air is equipped with the new iPod/iPhone Lightning dock connector which complements the Apple device's user interface, allowing you to grasp the iPod/iPhone as if it were in your hand.  Zeppelin Air's dock connector works with the latest iPod/iPhone devices; including the iPad 4, iPad mini, iPhone 5, iPod touch (5th gen), and iPod nano (7th gen).

• Controls: The Zeppelin Air offers power and volume control on the top of the unit, but no track playback controls. When docked, the iPod/iPhone is positioned at an angle that makes it easy to select tracks or change settings, as if the iPod/iPhone was in your hand. The supplied wireless remote offers power and volume controls, as well as play/pause, next track, previous track, and select. When playing back a device using the auxiliary input jack, the remote's play/pause button acts as a mute button.
• Charging: The Zeppelin Air will charge your compatible Apple device while docked.

iPod/iPhone Compatibility Chart: The Zeppelin Air has been certified "Made for iPod" and "Works with iPhone", compatible and supports the following iPod/iPhone model functions (as of 9/24/2013):

USB Connectivity: The USB (type-B) input enables you to connect the Zeppelin Air to a Mac/PC in order to play stored or streamed audio, or to synchronize data held on your Mac/PC with your iPod or iPhone.

• USB Audio Streaming: The Zeppelin Air's USB (type-B) port can be used to stream and playback music that is stored or being streamed on your Mac computer or Windows-based PC.
• iPod/iPhone Sync: There's no need to undock your iPod or iPhone if you want to sync it with iTunes or add more playlists - you can do it all through Zeppelin Air (via its USB type-B port). Simply connect the Zeppelin Air to your computer via USB and your iPod/iPhone will be linked directly to iTunes. Syncing contacts, apps, bookmarks, calendars and playlists couldn't be easier.

Auxiliary Input: The rear-panel 3.5mm auxiliary input allows you to listen to an external analog audio device.