B&W Zeppelin Speaker System for iPod Review

[admin]

B&W's Zeppelin speaker system for iPod looks more like a piece of modern art than a set of speakers. Then again, it looks more like a black and chrome version of the Hindenburg than modern art. So aside from being aptly named, how does it sound? Priced at $599, B&W calls it "audiophile grade" and "stunning." I for one was ready for this thing to land at my house so I could find out for myself.

Discuss "B&W Zeppelin Speaker System for iPod Review" here. Read the article.

 

[emorphien]

that is far too much money for a freaking accessory for a stupid iPod

 

[Joe Schmoe]

The signal coming from an ipod is inherently not audiophile-grade, or even close to it. The quality of the amp and speakers is irrelevant, as the end result cannot be good sound. Might as well get something much, much cheaper.

 

[AdrianMills]

The signal coming from an ipod is inherently not audiophile-grade, or even close to it. The quality of the amp and speakers is irrelevant, as the end result cannot be good sound. Might as well get something much, much cheaper.

These days I've come to associate "audiophile-grade" more with kooky unstable amps, esoteric cables and tweaks than with good sounding anything.

It's a cool looking gizmo that probably sounds as good as, or better than, anything similar and it seems to be very well made; I don't see what the issue is. Some people don't mind paying big bucks for a toy like this and there's nothing wrong with that - value judgements are very personal and aren't always rational either.

 

[Audioholics]

The signal coming from an ipod is inherently not audiophile-grade, or even close to it. The quality of the amp and speakers is irrelevant, as the end result cannot be good sound. Might as well get something much, much cheaper.

Well you certainly sound authoritative, but unfortunately you're completely incorrect. You can store higher resolution audio on an iPod. That doesn't mean people do, but you can. The playback quality of a current-generation iPod rivals many standalone CD players that are (were?) on the market.

This is a fairly thorough look at it:
http://www.stereophile.com/mediaservers/934/index5.html

Apart from that, there are some really bad speaker systems out there that make clean MP3 played through a real system sound like SACD in comparison, so dismissing the quality of the playback system is not good advice - at least not with iPods.

Gosh, I'm defending Apple again... what's the world coming to?

 

[birdonthebeach]

that is far too much money for a freaking accessory for a stupid iPod

emorphien, you will be relieved to know that I just hung up with B&W and they told me that you will NOT have to purchase a Zeppelin. Apparently, this product was not designed for you.

On a positive note, I did find something that might be a better fit here.


Out of curiosity, how much money SHOULD one pay for a "freakin' accessory for an iPod?"

 

[AdrianMills]

On a positive note, I did find something that might be a better fit here.

Hot damn, less than $7 for the "ultimate music experience". What more could one want?

 

[Joe Schmoe]

Out of curiosity, how much money SHOULD one pay for a "freakin' accessory for an iPod?"

$7.00 seems about right.

 

[emorphien]

emorphien, you will be relieved to know that I just hung up with B&W and they told me that you will NOT have to purchase a Zeppelin. Apparently, this product was not designed for you.

On a positive note, I did find something that might be a better fit here.


Out of curiosity, how much money SHOULD one pay for a "freakin' accessory for an iPod?"

Just as well, I've never much cared for many of their speakers either :lol:

When the combination of iPod + fancy sound dock rivals a decent stereo setup, you're paying too much. That's my opinion.

 

[birdonthebeach]

When the combination of iPod + fancy sound dock rivals a decent stereo setup, you're paying too much. That's my opinion.

And to be clear, I do think that the Zeppelin certainly rivals a typical $599 receiver/speaker combo. The build quality is fantastic, and for people who's music listening is iPod-based ((shudder, cringe)), this is a strong contender if they want to spend $600.

For the record, I certainly would choose to spend more money and have a cool 2 channel setup for music. But tons of people today (with all kinds of budgets) are more about the convenience of MP3 and iPods. For those people, B&W has come up with a "high-end" option. I know, I know - "iPod" and "high-end" put together = oxymoron. Unless of course, as Clint pointed out earlier in the thread, you choose to rip lossless.....

 

[ParadigmDawg]

The second this drops below the $4 mark, I am getting it!

$7.00 seems about right.

 

[jostenmeat]

Hey peoples,

Does anyone have any knowledge or experience with this unit? Its not for me (I dont have Ipod nor MP3), but a good friend's b-day is coming up, and some of us are scrounging for gift ideas. Thanks!

http://www.amazon.com/Monitor-Audio-IDECK-Digital-System/dp/B000GDDPD0

 

[Joe Schmoe]

You can store higher resolution audio on an iPod. That doesn't mean people do, but you can. The playback quality of a current-generation iPod rivals many standalone CD players that are (were?) on the market.

Maybe in theory, but people who buy ipods are rarely the same people who care enough about sound to do that (or to benefit from an "audiophile" accessory, for that matter.)