System Features
iPod/iPhone Dock
AirPlay Technology
System Section
Zeppelin Air Wireless Powered Speaker System: The Bowers & Wilkins (B&W) Zeppelin Air is a
wireless powered speaker
system made for the Apple iPod, iPhone, and iPad. The Zeppelin Air features a
standard iPod/iPhone dock connector as well a Apple's AirPlay technology for
high-quality wireless audio streaming from iTunes or an Apple iPod, iPhone, iPad.
The Bowers & Wilkin Zeppelin Air retains the unique airship-inspired design, but
internally the Zeppelin Air has been completely redesigned. The result is a
high-fidelity sounding iPod/iPhone speaker. Compared to the original multi-award
winning Zeppelin, the Zeppelin Air has improved dynamics, punchier bass, and a
more open, lifelike presentation with a highly detailed, room-filling sound.
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.
Note: It is recommended that you turn off your iPod or iPhone's
built-in equalizer.
Auxiliary Input: The
rear-panel 3.5mm auxiliary input allows you to listen
to an external analog audio device.
iPod/iPhone Dock
iPod/iPhone Docking Compatibility: The Zeppelin Air is equipped with
an iPod/iPhone dock connector which complements the Apple device's user
interface, allowing you to grasp the iPod/iPhone as if it were in your hand. It
accommodates iPods and iPhones of differing depth through a spring loaded
docking port that flexes to accommodate each model. Zeppelin Air's dock
connector works with the iPod classic (80/120/160GB), iPod nano
(2nd/3rd/4th/5th/6th gen), iPod touch, (1st/2nd/3rd/4th gen), and iPhone
(2G/3G/3GS/4).
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
April 2011):
|
iPod/iPhone Model |
Generation |
Tested Version |
Media Type |
Control Type |
Display Type |
AirPlay (audio only) |
Charge |
|
Audio |
Video Out |
Remote |
iPod/iPhone |
Song/Artist Text |
Track Info |
|
dock connector |
3rd |
N/A |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
clickwheel
color |
4th |
N/A |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
|
mini |
1st |
N/A |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
| 2nd |
N/A |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
|
video |
5th |
N/A |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
|
classic |
80GB |
1.1.2 |
Y |
Composite |
Y |
Y |
N |
N |
N |
Y |
|
120GB |
2.0.1 |
Y |
Composite |
Y |
Y |
N |
N |
N |
Y |
|
160GB |
2.0.4 |
Y |
Composite |
Y |
Y |
N |
N |
N |
Y |
|
nano
|
1st |
N/A |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
|
2nd |
1.1.3 |
Y |
N |
Y |
Y |
N |
N |
N |
Y |
|
3rd |
1.1.3 |
Y |
Composite |
Y |
Y |
N |
N |
N |
Y |
|
4th |
1.0.4 |
Y |
Composite |
Y |
Y |
N |
N |
N |
Y |
|
5th |
1.0.2 |
Y |
Composite |
Y |
Y |
N |
N |
N |
Y |
|
6th |
1.0 PC |
Y |
N |
Y |
Y |
N |
N |
N |
Y |
|
touch |
1st |
2.2.1 |
Y |
Composite |
Y |
Y |
N |
N |
N |
Y |
|
2nd |
4.2.1 |
Y |
Composite |
Y |
Y |
N |
N |
Y |
Y |
|
3rd |
4.2.1 |
Y |
Composite |
Y |
Y |
N |
N |
Y |
Y |
|
4th |
4.2.1 |
Y |
Composite |
Y |
Y |
N |
N |
Y |
Y |
|
iPhone |
2G |
3.1.2 |
Y |
Composite |
Y |
Y |
N |
N |
N |
Y |
|
3G |
3.1.2 |
Y |
Composite |
Y |
Y |
N |
N |
N |
Y |
|
3GS |
4.2.1 |
Y |
Composite |
Y |
Y |
N |
N |
Y |
Y |
|
4 |
4.2.1 |
Y |
Composite |
Y |
Y |
N |
N |
Y |
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.
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.
Video Output: The Zeppelin Air is fitted with a rear-panel composite
video output that enables video on a docked iPod or iPhone to be sent to a
connected TV or computer monitor. Video can be displayed on your connected
monitor, which audio is reproduced by the Zeppelin Air.
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.
AirPlay Technology
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.
Note: 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. You cannot stream video.
Note: 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. You
cannot stream video.
Note: The Zeppelin Air AirPlay feature works with iPod touch
(2nd/3rd/4th gen), iPhone (3GS/4), and iPad with iOS 4.2 or later -
connected to the same wireless network.
Multi-room System: If you have more than one Zeppelin Air, you can use
them in an multi-room system. You can play the same music soundtrack from your
computer's iTunes account on every Zeppelin Air in your home or select which
Zeppelin Air you want to listen to from your computer.
Note: A maximum of three Zeppelin Air units are recommended.
Multi-room streaming is not supported via your iPod touch, iPhone, or iPad.
