Loudspeakers

Bowers & Wilkins first Zeppelin speaker was actually designed for use with the Apple iPod, back in the pre-smartphone days of 2007, but later models abandoned wired inputs and adopted Bluetooth, wi-fi and AirPlay streaming technology. The Zeppelin was last updated in 2021 and the new Zeppelin Pro looks virtually identical – although it’s now available in new shades of Space Grey and Solar Gold, and there’s a multi-colour LED light in the base.

Like previous Zeppelins, the Pro Edition provides a complete two-channel stereo system, with a 150mm subwoofer mounted in the centre of the speaker, a 90mm midrange driver and 25mm tweeter on each side (for five drivers in total). B&W explains that the new titanium-dome tweeters are taken from its 600 series speakers, as well as redesigned bass drivers to further enhance sound quality.

Wireless features remain the same, with Bluetooth, AAC, SBC and aptX Adaptive providing a quick and easy connection for mobile devices, while wi-fi allows you to connect to a home network, with Spotify Connect compatibility and AirPlay 2. The B&W Music app includes support for Tidal, Qobuz and other streaming services, along with treble and bass controls. The USB-C port on the back is for service only, meaning there are no wired inputs.

Sound quality
The Zeppelin Pro Edition doesn’t support Dolby Atmos or any form of spatial audio, but its two-channel design creates an attractively open soundstage as we listen to the lossless recording of Damien Rice’s Eskimo on Apple Music via AirPlay from an iPad. The track covers a lot of ground, ranging from lo-fi acoustic strumming to full-blown operatic bombast, but the Zeppelin Pro takes everything in its stride. The speaker shows a gentle touch on the lightly plucked acoustic intro, but its 240W amp allows it to fill the room at barely 50 percent volume and it has a sense of space that feels like a live performance as Rice whispers and mumbles his way through the opening verse. There’s a piercing, mournful tone to the cello and the Zeppelin Pro allows it to linger wistfully as Rice breathes: “When I’m down, down, down”. It knows when to roll up its sleeves, though, as soprano Doreen Curran swoops in, and that beefy amp captures the explosion of her roof-rattling vibrato with great precision and clarity. It can handle a change of pace too, as we turn to the 2002 remaster of Rapture by Blondie. The track kicks off with a crisp, sharp crash of cymbals and the Zeppelin Pro does a good job of pulling out the jangling rhythm guitar with a bright, clean sound. Clem Burke’s percussion sounds as precise as ever, but Nigel Harrison’s bass is the real highlight on this track, and the Zeppelin Pro seems to pick up the bouncing bass riff and let it hop, skip and jump around the room as it drives the track forward.

We initially had some doubts about the relatively modest claimed 35Hz low end, but it handles bass well across a number of tracks, including Leonard Cohen’s You Want It Darker. The opening bass riff has a deep, lugubrious sound to it, yet it glides along with a seductive rhythm that almost makes it feel like a chill-out dance track. Cohen’s voice is always the star of the show, though, and the Zeppelin Pro captures all the world-weary melancholy in his distinctive baritone rumble.

Conclusion
The lack of wired inputs might deter some potential buyers who are still using a CD player or turntable, but if you’re simply looking for a high-quality wireless speaker for your computers and mobile devices, this updated Zeppelin is hard to beat. CJ    

DETAILS
Product: Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Pro Edition
Type: Wireless stereo speaker

FEATURES
● Quoted power output: 240W
● 2x 25mm tweeters; 2x 90mm mid/bass drivers; 150mm subwoofer
● Bluetooth 5.0; SBC; AAC; aptX Adaptive
● Apple AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect