Zep IV
The Zeppelin became an instant archetype upon its original launch in 2007, not only for its shape, but for its price, which unashamedly defined a new level of premium all-in-one system, first as an iPad dock, then twice as a wireless speaker, now today as simply the new Zeppelin. It still looks stunning; we initially thought it slightly smaller at 65cm wide than we remembered, but no, it’s apparently the same, except that now it ‘floats’ delightfully above its pedestal thanks to a new LED downlight that keeps the Zeppelin’s body on display like a work of modern art whenever powered up.
The ‘wireless’ abilities no longer merit naming rights; of course the new Zeppelin is wireless! — entirely so, indeed, as there are no audio inputs round the back at all, just power, plus a USB-C slot which is for service purposes (though you can also use this slot with an adapter to give your Zeppelin wired Ethernet networking, rather than Wi-Fi).
Otherwise it’s wireless all the way. In this, the new Zeppelin follows the Formation series released by Bowers & Wilkins prior to joining Sound United. That Formation series copped some criticism for going rather too minimal on connections, and more particularly for offering few direct paths to music even from its own app, called ‘Home’. B&W has responded by releasing another app, called ‘Music’, which incorporates far
