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iPod Speakers
- Best portable iPod speakers Arcam rCube *Est. $475
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- Budget iPod speakers Altec Lansing inMotion Compact iMT320 *Est. $50
- Wireless bookshelf iPod speakers Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Air *Est. $600
- iPod/iPhone clock radio iHome iA91 *Est. $100
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- Excellent sound
- Sleek, innovative design
- Compatible with all iPods and iPhones
- Somewhat limited remote functions
- Expensive
The Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin has been around for a while, but it is still a real contender at the high end of the iPod speaker-system market. The Zeppelin is large -- more than 2 feet wide and approximately 8 inches high and deep. The system's dual 3.5-inch midrange drivers, two 1-inch tweeters and 5-inch bass driver produce a sound that both professional reviewers and users agree is phenomenal and well worth the high price. Many reviews compare the B&W Zeppelin to the Bose SoundDock 10, and the Zeppelin speaker comes out on top. This iPod speaker system includes an auxiliary input (which accepts digital as well as analog), S-video and composite video outputs and a USB port for updating the product's firmware. Although the Zeppelin is not technically Apple-certified as "made for iPhone", at least one reviewer found it as compatible as any he'd tested. If you can't justify spending $600 on a speaker dock, the well-reviewed Creative ZiiSound D5 (*Est. $160) and the Altec Lansing Mix iMT800 (Discontinued) are also great options. A smaller version, the Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Mini (*Est. $300), is also available.
Several testing and review sites, including iPodRepublic.com, CrunchGear.com, Macworld and TrustedReviews.com, have very good things to say about the B&W Zeppelin. These reviews tend to be two or three years old, but they are still notable. User reviews from Amazon.com are more recent and just as complimentary.
| Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Mini Docking Speaker for iPod | |
(45 reviews) |
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Our Sources
The B&W Zeppelin earns a near-perfect rating -- the main downgrade being the price. It does earn an Editor's Choice award, however, and reviewer Riyad Emeran gives a very thorough and glowing review. On the issue of price, he feels the system is well worth the money.
Review: Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin iPod Speaker Dock Review, Riyad Emeran, Jan. 23, 2008
This older review gives a good description of the B&W's design and sound quality, both of which are considered above average, even in this price range. Though author Mike Kobrin mentions sound limitations, he doesn't discuss specifics.
Review: Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Review, Mike Kobrin, Sept. 6, 2007
In this short review, the editors of iPodRepublic.com state that the B&W Zeppelin is "well worth the money if you can afford it", though there is no evidence of product testing and the editors don't rate the system.
Review: B&W Zeppelin iPod Speaker Review, Editors of iPodRepublic.com, Feb. 7, 2008
The B&W Zeppelin earns 4.5 out of 5 "mice" for its appearance, technical features and superb sound. Reviewer Dan Frakes notes that, although the product is not officially "made for iPhone," he found no problems with interference.
Review: Review: B&W Zeppelin, Dan Frakes, April 22, 2008
5. Amazon.com
More than two dozen consumers weigh in on the B&W Zeppelin, which has a collective rating of 4 out of 5 stars. There are quite a few recent reviews and nearly all praise the system's sound, comparing it favorably to big players like Bose. A couple of users think the remote is a bit skimpy on functionality.
Review: Customer Reviews: Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Loudspeaker Dock System for iPod, Contributors to Amazon.com
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