I am very not indifferent to the sound and regular readers know about it. To the acoustics of this class honestly, it is cold, because After home HiFi, you yourself understand, however, being a Jarm fan of the British company Bowers & Wilkins was insanely happy to become the owner of such acoustics, because The company can do his job, but now it's not about that.

Acoustics Zeppelin AIR "sharpened" to play music through AirPlay. In general, it turned out a universal column capable of playing sound from iPod, iPhone and through AirPlay from your Mac.

Design above all silence! Ellips-shaped form, everything is so qualitatively collected. In the hands of a serious expensive device.

In the kit there is a remote control, LAN cable and a pile of paper.

Connected iPod to Zeppelin Air. Easily controlled from the remote or from the IPode itself.

On the back there is a bunch of everything useless, why?

Lan. We are required to connect acoustics to a computer and its primary configuration for connecting to a home router.

USB - To connect to a computer to update the acoustics firmware.

AUX - Analog 3.5mm Input for connection is already incomprehensible, because mostly the best players are an iPoda, but this is the entrance.

Comp - Video output, if you turn on the video from the phone, you can display the video signal to the TV.

That's all this sad, there is no sound output, but I so wanted to connect a home active subwoofer and try to drive acoustics with him, alas ...

I did the connection like this.
- I connected to the mappuk directly via LAN, in manual I specified IP

Screening in the browser 169.254.1.1 I got into the control panel and then not the first time until I realize that the indicator on the column itself should be red, i.e. It must be in standby mode and not in ON mode and it is important.

In the settings, as you see, there is nothing clogged, we configure the Connect to WiFi to the home router and on this setting is completed.

The second tab shows us which IIP is assigned a gadget and what version of the firmware.
Here and reservation Aipi column in the home router like this:

You can now use Zeppelin Air via AirPlay without wires.

Also did not sentence and my favorite program

Checked the ability to update the firmware via USB cable - works without any problems and difficulties. I downloaded on the site the latest version of the firmware and updated, everything is simple and understandable.

After the update, an updated control panel of all with the same modest functionality appeared :)

Method of setting column number 2. You can download and install the Bowers & Wilkins Control application and set up using it.

Sound

Dynamics:
2x 25mm (1.0 in) Aluminum Dome Twitters Nautilus ™
2x 75mm (3.0 in) SC-Dynamics
1x 125mm (5.0 in) Subwoofer

Frequency range:
51 GC - 36 kHz ± 3dB on the reference axis
- 6DB at 36Hz and 42kHz

Power:
2x 25W (Twitters)
2x 25W (sch speakers)
1x 50W (subwoofer)

30 pin connector compatible with: (There is a version of Zeppelin AIR with Lighting connector)
iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 3G, iPhone, iPod Touch (4th, 3rd, 2nd and 1 generation), iPod Classic and iPod nano (6th, 5th, 4th, 3rd and 2nd generation).
AirPlay works with iPad, iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, iPod Touch (4th, 3rd and 2nd generation) under iOS 4.2 and iTunes 10.1 (Mac and PC) or newer.

The column sounds very worthy, the bass is soft and he is heard, the middle and the top is present, there is an airiness, but the volume is not enough, if of course compared with her homework.

In general, a very good home solution especially for design lovers, however, given the price of $ 1000, the sound uniquely can be collected by the most high-quality, but not functional. Therefore, the design, ease of use and functionality can be evaluated for hard 5, although personally I was upset the lack of audio output. The sound for portability is definitely 5, but this is if not talking about HIFI.

More recently, we reported on the announcement of the updated column of Zeppelin Wireless from Bowers & Wilkins. She is already with us!

The hero of today's review is a direct heir model Zeppelin Air, which two years ago was one of the few speakers supporting technology Airplay from Apple. This consisted not only the dignity, but also a disadvantage, because other wireless connection protocols did not recognize the device.

In Zeppelin Wireless, this annoying miscalculation was corrected: now besides the "apple" method of transmitting sound are also available Bluetooth (with support for the APTX codec) and Spotify Connect..

But let's start by tradition from the appearance. The form remains the same: this is all the same black "airship", incredibly stylish and perfectly fit into the interior.

Immediately striking the lack of docking station for the iPhone, which was in the previous model. Together with her the silver strip in the middle. In my opinion, the device from it only won in terms of design - it became more solid and strict. And the direct connection of the smartphone can be replaced by one of the many methods.

The front side is covered with high-quality cloth, covered speakers. The rear surface of the glossy turned into a matte that also undoubtedly plus: the fingerprints are not so noticeable.

Bowers Wilkins Zeppelin Air Wireless

The holes of the phase inverter also disappeared. The volume and playback control buttons changed the appearance and moved to the top of the rear panel. Despite this, press them comfortably when the column stands to you "face".

Also, there are two more buttons (Power and Reset) and four ports: Power, AUX, MicroUSB for service and Ethernet. The latter, honestly, looks like an archaism: It is unlikely that someone will be connected to the column to the home network using a network cable - everyone has been Wi-Fi.

Connection

The easiest way to connect Zeppelin Wireless with a sound source having an analog output - wired, i.e. An ordinary analog cable with 3.5-mm connectors is on the AUX connector. We connect one end to the port on the rear panel, and the second to the smartphone, the tablet or what is your heart. The column will automatically switch to the appropriate mode, which will signal the luminous white AUX inscription on the front of the left from the Bowers & Wilkins logo.

But the eloquent word Wireless in the title, of course, implies a wireless connection. To connect the device via Bluetooth, it is enough to press and hold the button for a pair of a button with a "blue tooth" to activate the creation of a pair (you only need to do when you first connected). After the beep, it remains to select the column in the list of devices on the smartphone. Ready!

A little more difficult to connect the column to the Wi-Fi home network. This must be done if you want to transfer music to the device via AirPlay or Spotify Connect. Consider the process on the example of the Bowers & Wilkins Connect application for iOS.

After downloading the application, you must select Zeppelin Wireless from the list of devices, turn off the column, pull out all cables (except for power) and turn on again. Then choose our network and wait for about a minute.

After successfully connecting the application immediately offers download and install fresh firmware.

The update is successfully completed, you can now boil music from any apple devices. By the way, the above-described setting can also be performed on Mac and Windows by downloading the appropriate applications from the official site. But Android users will have to perform these actions through the web interface in the browser.

To use Spotify Connect will require a premium subscription to the service, but no one prevents the use of the Spotify application in a bundle with AirPlay or Bluetooth.

Will be loud!

The company's engineers were worked out not only over the appearance and functionality, but also did everything possible to improve the sound. For him answer 5 speakers: two 25-watt tweeters and mid-frequency, as well as a powerful 6-inch 50 W subwoofer. For each of the speakers there is a separate amplifier of class D.

The front panel of the housing was 50% thicker, which, according to the development of developers, perfectly affects sound due to the suppression of unwanted vibrations. And this is quite by the way, because the power of this system is abuse.

Column playing very loud. For the middle room, it will be quite enough of the volume level of 75%. But if you want to pump a sound more volumetric room, Zeppelin Wireless will also not let it down. Thanks to a powerful DSP processor, even on high volume, excellent detailing without extraneous wheezing and a buzzing bass is preserved.

The sound of the device is very clean and balanced. All frequencies are played as expected, except noticeably a small prevalence of the LF-band. By the way, the accommodation of the device in the room plays a big role, so it is worth paying special attention to this process and a little experiment.

Specifications

• Dynamics: 2x25 mm double dome tweeters (2x25 watts), 2x90 mm FST SC-speakers (2x25 W), 1x150 mm LF Driver (50 W)
• Frequency range: 44 Hz - 28 kHz
• Supply voltage: 100V - 240V - 50/60 Hz
• Consumption: Sleep - less than 1.5 W, Standby - less than 0.3 W
• Inputs: Ethernet, AUX, MICROUSB
• Dimensions: 188x660x183 mm
• Weight: 6.5 kg

New creation Bowers & Wilkins will have to do lovers of class design and loud, high-quality sound. The column looks like an alien spacecraft, but at the same time it fits very harmoniously into the interior. A wide selection of connection methods will allow you to connect Zeppelin Wireless with most modern devices and enjoy your favorite music without wires.

• Acoustic system B & W Zeppelin Air
• Power cable
• Ethernet cable
• User's manual
• Remote control

Bower & Wilkins - the company known and in the presentation hardly needs. For me personally (as for many), the office is associated with expensive, "pathetic" speakers. Of course, there are firms with products and more expensive, but B & W is a brand, if neither twist, premium.

But this is when remotely consideration. Near everything is not so good. There were reviews on the site as speakers for iPod / iPhone and headphones P5. The column was overlooked Sergey Kuzmin, and how much of his sound reviews seem to be invalid, but he noted an excess bass (albeit and recorded in the pros). With P5, the situation is also not particularly good - here the engineers also tried out of a miniature device to squeeze more LC - as a result, everything turned out somehow not very much.

Well, the more interesting it was to look at something "bigger", namely on Zeppelin AIR. "Normal" zeppelin is a well-known thing, but there was no review on the site, so jump immediately to a new flagship with the support of AirPlay technology. This is the next appearance of Apple to transfer sound without wires. A distinctive feature is the possibility of transferring Apple Lossless, that is, no relocation in the process (but there is a binding to the "apple" infrastructure).

Let's also immediately talk about prices. Zeppelin Air stands in Russia from 30 thousand rubles (there are some "muddy" offers for 28 and even 25 thousand - but I would not expect that the column is for this money). Abroad price of 600 dollars, plus tax. If you order with eBay, do not count on savings, do not count, shipping heavy packaging (approximately 8 kg) will fly into a penny. "Northern" zeppelin I have not found anywhere on sale, but, I remember, the price was about the same - so everything is stable and good. Another thing is that AIRPLAY support is not necessary for everyone.

By the way, the site was also a review of the Klipsch G17 Air system - also with AirPlay support.

Packaging and equipment

Huge packaging (for comparison in the photos I used iPhone 4), inside - column, paper (instruction, booklet), power cord (normal "eight"), Ethernet cable.

Nothing superfluous - but what else would you like? Maybe a 3.5 mm connecting cable, but it is already picking.

Appearance and ease of operation

Looks zeppelin cool - both in the photos and in real life.

Glossy plastic, fabric - everything is well collected and fit, looks like a single whole.

The first thing that attracts attention is (after the column form) is a solution with the docking station, it seems to be "hanging" in the air. From the point of view of reliability, this is not the best solution, but it looks stylish. The mount "continues" in the form of a chromed strip with the volume buttons and the power button. The dock itself is a LED displaying modes of operation.

On the back - two phase inverters, power connector, Ethernet, USB, 3.5 mm audio jack, optical RCA connector.

If everything is clear with minijack and "optics", then I will tell about Ethernet and USB a few words. The network connector is required to configure AirPlay and connect to the network (if there is no Wi-Fi router). USB port is used to update the firmware (you need to connect the column to the computer), the latest version 1.1.3.

Setup and operation

To configure AirPlay, you must turn off the column, disconnect the power cord, connect the Ethernet cable to the column and the computer, turn on the power of the speakers, wait until the devices will "find each other" and enter an IP address 169.254.1.1 in the browser. Next, you can configure the connection to your home Wi-Fi, as well as the "name" of the column. Then you need to not forget to turn off the column, disconnect the Ethernet cable, and then turn on the column again and wait a minute - everything will work.

What can I say - I came across similar from Klipsch G17 AIR, a familiar technique, except that the air must be completely turned off a couple of times during the configuration. For a person, infinitely distant from the technology, this process will not be done very simple. But with at least a small experience and methodical consequence, the instructions will be in order.

Problems begin with further use - sometimes after exiting the sleep mode, the column cannot connect to Wi-Fi, and it has to be turned off and on again.

Remote control

The complete remote control is made in the form of "pebbles", there are buttons to control the playback, as well as the button to switch the inputs (it does not have it on the column, which is strange).

Sound

I suppose everything that is mentioned above is much less interesting than how the column sounds.

Well, I repeat - it sounds good. With such sizes, you expect a completely different sound. The only real "jamb" is a bloated and non-depotable bass. I personally do not like such a sound, and similar "details" immediately spoil the impression. The middle is good and "live", natural, high frequencies are slightly rescued - but I will not find fault here. By the way, it is worth playing with the place of installation of the column - in my case it turned out a little change the sound. Stereopanorama is wide enough, the column "fills" the room with sound. The detail is good, but not excellent - on fast tracks AIR begins to "smear".

Competitors

If you compare Zeppelin Air with Klipsch G17 AIR - of course, the memory - then Klipsch will win throughout the vocal - at the air it is still more interesting. At a lesser price (as a result, G17 AIR costs not 30 thousand, and 18-20 is comparable to the price abroad) the product from Klipsch seems to me more reasonable purchase.

Output

Well, the "airship" looks cool, but you will not "fly away" with it - for 30 thousand you expect much better sound, at least it would not be worth doing such a bass, he tritely "grop" all the advantages. Do not forget about the gluing column.

Although, here you can talk as much as you like the shortcomings, the design of the accessory is excellent, and it is thanks to him Zeppelin Air will be sold and sold well. The quality of the sound is not important to all, the glitches will not be noticed not all (after all, the airplay is not so easy to configure).

And I look at the corresponding interior acoustic system will be cool, and the point. Plus - famous brand. In short, I would not bought myself (I remind you that G17 like more), and you - decide.

Claimed characteristics
Model	Zeppelin Air.
Description	Akoustics for iPod® / iPhone®
Specifications	Apple® AirPlay® Technology Universal dock port Digital signal processing (DSP) Digital amplifier Inmpulse power supply Streaming audio via USB with PC / Mac® Synchronization with iPod® / iTunes® FlowPort ™ phase inverter port Pool
Dynamics	2x 25mm (1.0 in) Aluminum Dome Twitters Nautilus ™ 2x 75mm (3.0 in) SC-Dynamics 1x 125mm (5.0 in) Subwoofer
Frequency range	51 GC - 36 kHz ± 3dB on the reference axis - 6DB at 36Hz and 42kHz
Output power amplifiers	2x 25W (Twitters) 2x 25W (sch speakers) 1x 50W (subwoofer)
Supply voltage	100V - 240V ~ 50 / 60Hz
Consumption (nominal)	100W.
Standby consumption	0.8W.
Inputs	iPod® / iPhone® (30-pin connector) Network (RJ45 Ethernet or Wi-Fi) AUX - Analog / Optical Digital (3.5mm Mini Jack) Stream audio, synchronization, software update (USB 2.0)
Outputs	composite video (RCA Phono)
Height	173mm (6.8 in)
Width	640mm (25.2 in)
Depth	208mm (8.2 in)
Net weight	6.2kg (13.5 LB)
Housing	Polished black with edging stainless steel
Protective grille	Black fabric
Compatible with Apple	Dock Connector works with iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 3G, iPhone, iPod Touch (4th, 3rd, 2nd and 1th generation), iPod Classic and iPod Nano (6th, 5th, 4th, 3rd and 2nd generation). AirPlay works with iPad, iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, iPod Touch (4th, 3rd and 2nd generation) under iOS 4.2 and iTunes 10.1 (Mac and PC) or newer.

The editors thanks the store

I received yesterday long-awaited Zeppelin Air from B & W.

A very qualitatively packaged Zeppelin apparatus was removed and tested on iPhone 4, iPod Video, iPod Classic 6, iPad, IMAC, MacBook Pro.

In addition to Zeppelin Air, there is a remote control, a power cable and a power cable.

With a Zeppelin Air + iPhone 4, iPod Video, iPod Classic 6. No problems arose, sound compared to the Zeppelin of the previous version, has become more aggressive and strong, quality, as always out of doubt, quality out competition.

Go to the most interesting, to the AIR technology when working with WiFi.

It turned out a little more difficult. In order for Zeppelin Air connected to your WiFi network, you must first connect it to the network cable, which is included in the kit, to its (any) stationary computer, go to the IP to the Zeppelin AIR administration and choose your network there and enter the password from network. On this function, Zeppelin AIR admin features are limited. If you do not need WiFi, then Zeppelin can be connected to your network cable.

Then we turn off the network cable from Zeppelin AIR and observe the only indicator in the form of a very small light bulb on the frontal film. With a good connection to the network, it starts glowing purple. In the instructions, everything is perfectly drawn, the main thing to observe all the steps)

Now, when the desired Zeppelin Air connected to the network, start the AIR test.

With MacBook Pro and IMAC, no problems have arisen, Devices immediately found remote columns Zeppelin AIR and Streaming passes without any problems. But with the iPad there were problems, the iPad also discovered Zeppelin Air, but I could not enjoy listening to music. After 3-5 minutes after the start of the streaming, the connection between the iPad and Zeppelin Air is lost and the melody stops sounding from Zeppelin AIR. Perhaps problems in the ipad low-incomeness, but it was not possible to overcome this glitch. Judging by the fact that the network does not have a flow of complaints about this problem, rather than the problem of the local plan.

Control:

At the Zeppelin Air itself there are only three buttons, the volume is greater / less and on / off.

From the remote, you can be in addition to the above, switching between songs and between the devices connected to Zeppelin.

When streaming, the sound is controlled directly from iTunes.

Connection interfaces:

In general, Zeppelin AIR acquitted hope, even surprised by the power of sound and Cextata. After 30 minutes of listening, go to listen to the classics, and this is a serious indicator.

You know O. Bowers & Wilkins.. There is no other. And today you will learn even more. B & W A5 - Wireless home column with a magnificent, balanced sound, designed for Apple devices. Minimalist, strict, carefully thought out. All as we love.

Bowers & Wilkins A5 is designed specifically for those who listen musicnot frequencies. For those who love listen, not hear. The adaf bass adepts go by, because this sound league is higher. Live and figurative sense. The guest from Europe sounds in English is gallantly and honest. Now we will tell about him.

Look

Modesty decorates. But it is not necessary to confuse modesty and misfortune. Column Bowers & Wilkins A5 is not from the caller, because she has something to be proud of. Forget about crazy colors, surrealistic forms designed to hook on a hook of impulsive shopping. A5 is an exceptionally black case minus meek aluminum. So it is necessary.

Acoustic tissue envelopes an oval case, taking place behind the round deepening of the phaseinventor. The leaf of the fabric is firmly, is not going, it does not matter, and internal speakers are not visible through it. The rubberized rack absorbs the extra vibration of sound.

The oval aluminum panel with circular perforation is the only truly decorative element - does not perform any functions. And this is the business card of the B & W speakers, whether Mm-1, A5. or A7..

The aluminum band attracts a look, and it is not good. It carved the physical buttons for turning the speaker and adjust the volume. In a miniature recess on the left side, an LED, communicating with the owner of the color signals: purple when connecting to AirPlay, yellow with primary configuration and red in standby mode.

All other actions - for example, switching tracks - you perform through the corporate oval console, invested with B & W A5.

From legendary to magnificent, Bowers & Wilkins knows a lot about design. Caused by a laser.

Connect

All connectors in B & W A5 are located behind, under the matte block, crowned with a phase inverter. there is Ethernet To connect to the router or home network, Aux-input For minijack cables and power supply port. The block itself is an external, two-segment, and the total cable length from the socket to the column is at least two meters. All because in A5 there is no own battery, and it works exclusively from the power supply. Carry this column you still should not - she weighs three and a half kilograms.

You can connect any device to A5 thanks to the AUX-input, from players to home appliances. However, if you have a device from Apple, it is much easier and more convenient to use aIRPLAY Wireless Connection. The main purpose of this column is in two clicks playing music from any "right" device in the house where it is not.

Yes, Bluetooth It does not smell, but you don't need to miss it. Low BT place is to reduce sound quality when recording recording from the device to the column. You also need to regularly include a transmitter on the iOS, does not go beyond the receipt radius, follow the discharge of the battery ... AirPlay does not suffer from these restrictions: while A5 and your iPhone are connected to one Wi-Fi network, everything else does not concern you.

For the primary setting of the speaker, you need to download the branded app Bowers & Wilkins Control From the App Store [Link]. There is no equalizer and other toys. Instead, the program holds a user through the configuration steps: you specify a name for a new acoustics, enter into friendship with home Wi-Fi and, if you wish, register the product on the official website. Can also be tie a few B & W columns into a single networkAnd then synchronously play music in different rooms of the apartment.

Please note: you do not need to run the program and generally store it in order to continue to connect to Bowers & Wilkins P5. Enough open "Control point" CONTROL CENTER) on iOS 7 or click on the icon Airplay In the status bar on its Mac. There will be your new column in the list. You choose it - and the sound from the device is redirected automatically.

Listen

The modest B & W A5 shape hides a lot of surprises. Two 25 mm load pipes correspond to high frequencies in this model. Nautilius.who themselves look unusual. To see them without disrupting the integrity of the column will not work. Judging by the images from the manufacturer, this is the legacy of the same columns Nautilius.whose appearance is impossible to forget. Their power is 20 watts per each.

The A5 system is designed so that the audio files of the highest quality sounded air and open. Speakers from satellites M-1, anti-conanant cap and ports of ports Flowports. Combined in it with a high-quality DAC and a powerful processor, thanks to which the digital signal does not spoil distortion and it fills the entire room.

Engineers know what they are doing. For medium and low frequencies, two 100-millimeter dynamics of 20 watts are responding. A separate subwoofer, as in the flagship A7, is not provided - but it is not worth upset about this.

Due to the thoughtful design, B & W A5 is well losing the full range of frequencies without strong emphasis on something specific. High - ringing and clean, medium - bright and detailed, and low - fast but neutral. Live sound is achieved due to the absence of an unnecessarily deep and humorous bass, which is customary to expect from portable columns. Mass audience purchases Beats by Dr. Dre.It is unlikely to be satisfied with how restraint and gently play A5. FIECH: This product is not for them. After all, the wedge sound did not come together on some low frequencies.

Bowers & Wilkins A5 perfectly showed themselves in popular genres of music, adequately coping with heavy dance tracks: emphasized as the municipality of the tracks of the Russian group Tesla Boy.…

... so the chaotic technicality of famous guys from Israel - Infected Mushroom.:

B & W A5 also not "chopping" From heavy rock and no noisy until the highest volume. At maximum power, the A5 case begins to rather rattling, as if the column can no longer cope with its own speakers. On the one hand, it is minus - but on the other hand, on this volume you risks tritely to clutch along with guests and even neighbors. The stock of this volume, by the way, is very large.

When jazz played through A5 or instrumental tracks, it is difficult for her to choose equal to her portable acoustics. In addition to A7, of course. It is possible that Bowers & Wilkins deliberately sought a neutral frequency balance, knowing the preferences of the target audience. Due to the absence of an inadequate bass prevailing in portable acoustics of low and medium classes, B & W A5 can be listened for a very long time - without fatigue and tension.

Enjoy