I've been looking forward to this product since its introduction more than a month ago.I loved the original Zeppelin, but was excited about the smaller form factor and a USB digital connection in the Zeppelin Mini.Call me naive, I was actually hoping that the sound quality would be quite comparable to that of the original Zeppelin.As the B&W's website says:"With Zeppelin Mini, you get everything you love about Zeppelin - advanced acoustic technology, intelligent design, elegant connectivity - in a streamlined, compact sound dock package that's perfect for desktops and bedside tables. "
But I was let down; the two speakers produce completely different sound. Pop music (I tried out Rhianna and Britney Spears) sounded okay due to the typically louder treble and bass in the recording, although when played louder it sounded clearly distorted and hollow; classical symphonies (I tried out Brahms' Symphony #4 and Shostakovich's Cello Concerto #1) sounded disappointing - the entire bass section cannot be heard until the volume is cranked up really high!; classical solo and chamber music (I played Vivaldi's Four Season - Winter, 2.Largo) turned out to be surprisingly really good and in my opinion the best genre for this speaker.After turning on Bass enhancer on my iPod EQ setting (unlike the original Z, the Mini does not have an external bass/treble control), the bass can be heard more but is too obviously distorted - cracking sound can be heard at times.
The bass sounded more full when positioned closer to me.B&W claims that the introduction of a flowport (absent in the original Zeppelin) is designed to amplify the bass; I found the outcome to be nothing like that of the original Zeppelin.I also expect the bass to be thicker if the speaker is placed against a wall or a corner (instead of in the middle of a table at the Apple store)
With the addition of USB connectivity, I was originally very excited about the idea of directly syncing my iPod to iTunes, controlling iTunes using a remote, and most importantly, the capability of bypassing analog signal processing on a computer to the speaker.However, given the significantly compromised quality of sound (esp. lack of bass), the idea of producing better quality analog signal that would only be greatly sacrificed in bass production seems meaningless.
Nevertheless, I was impressed with the design of the Mini.The speaker is much smaller than I'd envisioned based on the gallery (and after checking out the sound quality was I wished it was bigger).The Mini is light but feels very solid when carried around.The design is much more classy than other iPod speakers: the chrome bowl mirror matches the back of the original iPod (if you still own one); when firmly attached to the docking arm, it can be elegantly turned 90 degrees for cover flow (isn't that the only reason to buy an iPod touch/iPhone?); controlling the iPod has never been easier with the inventive protruded docking arm design (same as the original Z).Most impressive to me, the enclosure of black cloth over the speaker (as opposed to the colder, more industrial wire mesh used in Bose and other iPod speakers) stands out among the crowd with exquisiteness.
If I were to choose a small iPod speaker based on what looks best for my apartment, I would definitely go with the Mini.As for sound quality, it sounded very impressive for classical chamber music, good enough for pop, but definitely not satisfying for classical symphonies.However, if you are certain that any larger speaker (e.g. the original Z) cannot be considered, it is quite a good choice. (And at this price I would choose it over Bose any day - there, I said it).
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Product Description:
Joining the award-winning B&W Zeppelin family is Zeppelin Mini. It gives you everything you love about Zeppelin--incredible sound, intelligent design, elegant connectivity--in a smaller, compact package that's perfect for desktops and bedside tables. Because even when your space is limited, it doesn't mean your sound has to be.
Good looks and acoustic innovation run in the family. Click to enlarge.
Best-in-class sound performance. Click to enlarge.
Exclusive technologies such as Flowport deliver class-leading sound. Click to enlarge.
Intelligent features include a docking arm that rotates 90 degrees. Click to enlarge.
Perfect for smaller spaces. Click to enlarge.
Meet the family
Zeppelin Mini comes to you from the makers of Zeppelin, winner of just about every award going for its sleek design and advanced technology. With Zeppelin Mini, you're getting exactly the same attention to detail in a smaller package. Good looks and acoustic innovation run in the family.
Best-in-Class Sound
A combination of powerful DSP (Digital Sound Processing) and Bowers & Wilkins core acoustics approach, ensure that Zeppelin Mini will have best-in-class sound performance.
Digital Signal Processing
Even the greatest orchestra needs a conductor to ensure the parts are working together as they should. DSP cleverly optimizes the response of the speaker's drive units, adjusting the balance, depending on the signal. Music sounds wonderfully rich and detailed, no matter how loud you play it.
High-end Technology
We've spent more than 40 years advancing the science of loudspeaker acoustics. And we've put everything we've learned into Zeppelin Mini. Our unrivalled experience in drive unit technology, plus exclusive technologies such as Flowport, are guaranteed to deliver class-leading sound.
Intelligent Design
Whichever way you look at it, Zeppelin Mini has a sleek design. But its beauty is much more than skin deep. Intelligent features include a docking arm that rotates 90 degrees--perfect for watching videos or skipping through tracks in Cover Flow. So it's not just a pleasure to look at: it's a joy to use too.
Space Saver
Zeppelin Mini's compact size makes it the perfect speaker for smaller spaces. Use it in your kitchen, your bedroom, your office or anywhere you like. It is aimed at being much more versatile offering the sound quality, size, and price to fit a huge range of requirements.
USB Streaming
Music can be streamed direct from a PC or Mac via the USB socket. This means that any computer system can benefit from the improved sound quality and digital sound processing, offered by Zeppelin Mini's Digital Sound Processing (DSP) and drive unit technology.
Compact, stylish and beautifully simple to set up and use, Zeppelin Mini releases all of the detail and atmosphere that standard iPod speaker systems miss, whether you're listening to standard MP3s or high-quality formats. It's time to set your digital music free.
Zeppelin Mini is much more than a standard iPod speaker and with its aesthetically pleasing design and amazing sound quality; it will reinvent the way you listen to music.
Music can be streamed direct from a PC or Mac via the USB socket. Click to enlarge.
Clever ergonomic thought and a beautiful 360-degree visual appeal. Click to enlarge.
Hi-fi stereo sound wherever you need it; upstairs, downstairs, in your office or second home. Click to enlarge.
Remote allows you to change tracks, volume and mode. Click to enlarge.
Small Sounds Beautiful
Overview
Zeppelin Mini is an integrated speaker system from Bowers & Wilkins, makers of the speakers used to monitor the recording of much of the music on your iPod. B&W developed its iPod speakers with the same exacting standards as the speakers that are used in Abbey Road Studios and Skywalker Ranch.
Zeppelin Mini is the embodiment of over 40 years of experience and know-how in speaker design, all in a single package. Zeppelin Mini utilizes the same technologies developed for dedicated high-end speakers, applying them to an iPod speaker very similar to its big brother, Zeppelin. In addition to great sound you are also awarded with a product design stemming from clever ergonomic thought and a beautiful 360-degree visual appeal.
Zeppelin Mini allows you to have real hi-fi stereo sound wherever you need it; upstairs, downstairs, in your office or second home.
Design
Bowers & Wilkins has complimented the iPod user interface by designing a docking port that allows the user to grasp the iPod as if it were in the hand as normal. It also cleverly accommodates iPod/iPhone/Touch of differing depth through a spring loaded docking arm that flexes to accommodate each model without adaptors or other manual adjustment.
Moving a step on from Zeppelin's intuitive docking arm design, Zeppelin Mini features a dock that can be effortlessly rotated through 90 degrees in order to access Apple's Cover Flow system or watch videos and enhanced pod casts.
Heritage
At Bowers & Wilkins, the quest to develop the perfect speaker has lasted more than 40 years. The quest is to create a speaker that portrays a musical performance exactly as it was recorded, with zero coloration, as the artist intended it to be heard. Founder John Bowers instilled this passion in the company, to pursue his dream of the ultimate speaker.
Technology
Reduced in size, but not in sound, Zeppelin Mini maintains the same high standards for sound quality and design, set by Zeppelin B&W's unrivaled expertise in loudspeaker design is exemplified by the Mini's use of two newly developed, full-range, 3-inch glass fiber, drivers whose uniquely slotted cone and very long-throw "motor," deliver unprecedented range and dynamics, for so compact a transducer.
B&W's extensive experience in digital signal processing (DSP) proved just as important, supplying advanced processing, including proprietary dynamic equalization that maximizes the drivers' abilities to produce jaw-dropping loudness and fullness.
Zeppelin Mini's two leading-edge Class D ("digital") amplifiers ensure plenty of power from ultra-compact, nearly cold-running circuitry.
The USB connection in the back of the unit allows for:
Audio streaming from iPod via docking arm
Audio streaming from PC/Mac via mini USB connection located on back of the unit
iPod/PC/Mac sync (when Zeppelin Mini is in standby): Synchronize iTunes and the docked iPod
Firmware upgrades to keep product up-to-date with new iPhone/iPod releases
Zeppelin Mini will charge the iPod/iPhone when docked.
Simple Operation
Zeppelin Mini is simple to set up and use: plug it in, place your iPod on the docking port and hit the play button. The connections at the back let you play other sources through the unit.
Remote
Zeppelin Mini comes with a pebble-like remote, which allows you to change tracks, volume and mode.
Compatibility
iPods (iPod touch 1st generation, iPod touch 2nd generation, iPod nano 2nd generation, iPod nano 3rd generation, iPod nano 4th generation, iPod Classic), iPhone, iPhone 3GS, iPhone3G
Zeppelin's power supply operates on all mains voltages from 100V to 240V--if you take it to a different country, it will automatically sense the incoming voltages and adjust itself accordingly.
What's in the Box
Zeppelin Mini, Power supply, Cradle for horizontal docking, Remote control (with battery)
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