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Features
Overview: The Bowers & Wilkins (B&W) Zeppelin is a powered speaker
system made for iPod and iPhone with an airship-inspired design. It features a standard iPod dock connector, as
well as a 3.5mm auxiliary input and a USB Type B connector. The included
composite and S-Video outputs let you stream video to your TV from your iPod.
Speakers: The Zeppelin is equipped with five high-quality
drivers:
- 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 3.5" 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's sleek enclosure--with
rear-firing ports on each side.
Amplification: Powering the speakers are three high-quality digital
amplifiers with a total of 100 watts--one for the bass, one for the left
midrange/tweeter combo and one for the right. The single woofer is driven by a
50 watt amplifier, while each pair of midranges and tweeters is driven by a 25
watt amplifier.
iPod Compatibility: The Zeppelin has been certified "Made for
iPod" and "Works with iPhone", which means that it has been designed to connect
specifically to iPod and iPhone, and meets Apple performance standards. This
unit has varying levels of compatibility with most all iPods, from simply
connecting the iPod's headphone output to the Zeppelin's Auxiliary input to
audio and video streaming from the Internet. The iPods are separated into 5
groups, depending upon the level of performance:
- Group A (non-docking iPods): iPod 1st and 2nd generation, iPod
shuffle 1st and 2nd generation. These iPods can be connected by their
headphone outputs to the Zeppelin's Auxiliary Input. The Zeppelin cannot
control or charge these models.
- Group B (with non-compatible dock): iPod 3rd generation.
Although this iPod has the iPod 30-pin dock connector, it cannot be charged
by the Zeppelin. Connect by the headphone output to the Zeppelin's Aux
input.
- Group C (docking iPods): iPod mini, iPod 4th generation. Docks to
the Zeppelin's iPod connector and charges. Volume control on the unit and
with the remote, but not on the iPod. Track controls are available on the
iPod and using the remote control.
- Group D (docking iPods): iPod classic, iPod 5th generation, iPod
nano (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th generation). Same as Group C, but adds
volume control on the iPod. Video-capable iPods can output video through the
Zeppelin's composite or S-Video outputs.
- Group E (Touch screen iPods/iPhone): iPod touch (1st, 2nd, and 3rd
generation), iPhone, iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS. Volume control on the unit, on
the iPod, and with the remote. Track controls on the iPod and with the
remote control. Audio and video streaming from the Internet. Videos are
output through the Zeppelin's composite or S-Video outputs to your TV.
(Zeppelin's software may need to be updated in some cases to enable some
functions.)
iPod/iPhone Compatibility Chart: The Zeppelin is
compatible and supports the following iPod/iPhone model functions (as of Jan.
2010):
|
iPod/iPhone Model |
Generation |
Media Type |
Control Type |
Display Type |
Charge |
| Audio |
Video |
Speaker
Dock |
iPod/iPhone |
Song/Artist Text |
Track Info |
|
dock connector |
3rd |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
clickwheel
color |
4th |
Y |
N |
Y |
Y |
N |
N |
Y |
|
mini |
1st |
Y |
N |
Y |
Y |
N |
N |
Y |
| 2nd |
Y |
N |
Y |
Y |
N |
N |
Y |
|
video |
5th |
Y |
N |
Y |
Y |
N |
N |
Y |
|
classic |
80GB |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
N |
N |
Y |
| 120GB |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
N |
N |
Y |
| 160GB |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
N |
N |
Y |
|
nano
|
1st |
Y |
N |
Y |
Y |
N |
N |
Y |
| 2nd |
Y |
N |
Y |
Y |
N |
N |
Y |
| 3rd |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
N |
N |
Y |
| 4th |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
N |
N |
Y |
| 5th |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
N |
N |
Y |
| 6th |
Y |
N |
Y |
Y |
N |
N |
Y |
|
touch |
1st |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
N |
N |
Y |
| 2nd |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
N |
N |
Y |
| 3rd |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
N |
N |
Y |
| 4th |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
N |
N |
Y |
|
iPhone |
2G |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
N |
N |
Y |
| 3G |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
N |
N |
Y |
| 3GS |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
N |
N |
Y |
| 4 |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
N |
N |
Y |
Note: Apple iPod/iPhone software updates may
change functionality results. If you download a newer software
version, you may need to reset the device and your iPod/iPhone to
regain functionality. If this doesn't work, you may need to revert
to the older software version or wait until an newer software update
is available.
Inputs/Outputs: In addition to the 30-pin iPod dock connector, the
Zeppelin offers other inputs and outputs on the back panel:
- 3.5mm Auxiliary Input: The 3.5mm mini-jack allows you to listen
to an external audio device. The input is compatible with both analog and
digital (via optical mini plug) signals. The iPod dock has priority over the
Aux input, therefore, any connected iPod must be un-docked before you can
listen to a source connected via the Aux input.
- Composite and S-Video Outputs: You can playback videos stored on
your iPod to your TV through the composite and S-Video outputs. You can also
stream video from the Internet to your TV when a WiFi-capable iPod touch or
iPhone is docked.
- USB Connector: The Type B USB port allows you to connect the unit
to your computer for downloading software updates to the Zeppelin.
Controls: The Zeppelin offers power and volume
control on the top of the unit, but no track playback controls. When docked, the
iPod is positioned at an angle that makes it easy to select tracks or change
settings, as if the iPod 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. Remote
dimensions: W=2.041", H=3.129", D=0.958"
LED Indicator: The Zeppelin has an LED indicator on the front
panel to give you the status of the player at a glance. The indicator
illuminates in a range of colors to indicate different operational conditions.
Audio Settings: The Zeppelin offers no bass or treble controls on the
unit. When you place the unit with its back against the wall, the bass level is
boosted, and more so if it is in a corner. However, when you dock a Group D or E
iPod into the Zeppelin, an extra item called "Speakers" appears in the top-level
menu. The "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 is on an open table. The Bass -1 setting should be used when the
Zeppelin 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. The selected EQ
setting is retained for any other iPod you dock, and to any second source
connected to the Aux input. It is recommended that the EQ settings in the iPod
or iPhone itself be turned off.
Taking iPhone Calls: If you have an incoming call while the iPhone is
docked, the iPhone will ring through the Zeppelin and mute the music. The iPhone
does not send the call audio to the dock connector, so you cannot hear the
caller through the Zeppelin. You must either remove the iPhone from the Zeppelin
to take the call, or leave it docked and turn on the iPhone's internal speaker
to use it as a speaker phone.
Optional Wall Mount: The Zeppelin can be mounted on a wall if you
desire. A dedicated optional wall mount bracket is available from the
manufacturer.
