Smart Speaker Reviews

Performance
Features
Build Quality
Value

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Exceptional sound quality with refined highs and controlled bass
Iconic, luxurious design with new color options
Seamless wireless streaming via app, AirPlay 2, and Bluetooth
Robust build quality and multi-room potential
Minus
No physical inputs or voice assistant support
Limited EQ customization
Expensive
Not portable

THE VERDICT
The new Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Pro Edition is an exciting update to the original, with its iconic design making it a stunning centerpiece for any listening space.

My heart rarely flutters when I get word of a new product to review. Perhaps I’m jaded from countless marketing departments' claims of “new and improved.” However, my pulse actually quickened when I heard that the new Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Pro Edition was on its way to me. While the original Zeppelin was quite the impressive speaker, the new Pro Edition has improved on that almost perfect original, and I was very excited to hear this new version of a classic.

The Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Pro Edition is the latest evolution of an iconic wireless speaker that first debuted in 2006 as an iPod dock. Nearly two decades later, this iteration refines the formula with upgraded audio components, enhanced streaming capabilities, and a refreshed aesthetic. Priced at $799, the Zeppelin Pro sits in the premium segment of the wireless speaker market. But does it justify its price tag and maintain the legacy of its predecessors? Let’s dive into the details.

The Zeppelin Pro is a unique speaker that is not a soundbar. The Zeppelin Pro Edition maintains the unique elliptical shape that has been a hallmark of the Zeppelin line from its very beginning. This design, extremely reminiscent of an actual airship, has become synonymous with the Zeppelin name along with the aeronautical connotations. Its shape makes it hard to put below a TV display, which is fine because it is not meant to be used as a soundbar - in fact, it’s almost impossible to use it as such. Instead, the gorgeous silhouette commands a place of honor at the center of a dedicated listening space. It forces itself to be the center of attention, a showcase for music-only playback. Measuring 25.6 x 8.3 x 7.6 inches and weighing 14.6 lb, it’s a substantial speaker that demands space and attention.

Build quality is impeccable, as expected from Bowers & Wilkins. The enclosure is engineered to minimize vibrations, and the heft reassures you of its premium construction. It’s not portable; there’s no battery option, and it requires a constant power connection—but it can be wall-mounted with an optional bracket for those seeking a more integrated setup. Physical controls (power, Bluetooth pairing, and volume) are discreetly placed on the rear, though their positioning can be awkward to see and use if the speaker is placed too high. All these controls can be accessed via the app if the buttons are not easily reached.

Bowers & Wilkins introduces two new colorways—Solar Gold and Space Gray—both of which elevate the speaker’s visual appeal. The front is cloaked in acoustic fabric, while the rear features a matte plastic finish that mimics metal, perched atop a sturdy metal pedestal. The Solar Gold finish exudes a luxurious warmth, while Space Gray offers a sleek, understated elegance. A standout aesthetic feature is the customizable downlight, which projects from the base and can cycle through 15 color options with adjustable brightness via the Bowers & Wilkins Music app. While some might dismiss this as a gimmick, it adds a playful touch, enhancing the speaker’s ability to blend into or stand out in a room. Would I have loved a way to continuously cycle through the colors? I’m not going to lie—I’m a rainbow and unicorn kind of gal and I would have loved a color-shift option.

Continuing with their neighbors in Surrey, England, Bowers & Wilkins also has a new McLaren version of the Zeppelin Pro. Nothing is spared in this collab celebrating (spoiler alert for those just now watching the F1 series on Netflix) the British racing team’s 2024 Constructor’s Cup victory that seems to be continuing with a successful start to the 2025 F1 circuit. This $899 version features McLaren’s signature Galvanic Grey for the body of the speaker and the Papaya Orange colorway on the metal stand. The colors are lovely together. The down firing light features the McLaren logo. A girl can only hope Lando Norris comes to help set it up. If only it weren’t mindlessly simple to do so and if he wasn’t busy taking victory laps. The McLaren colorway will also be available on the Px8 headphones.

Notably, the Zeppelin Pro lacks physical inputs beyond a USB-C port, which is reserved for service or an optional Ethernet adapter—no aux-in or HDMI eARC here. It is 100% wireless. This all-in commitment to wireless streaming is a bold choice, reflecting the speaker’s modern ethos but potentially alienating users with legacy equipment. Personally, I wouldn’t mind either an analog or digital input. With a resurgence in vinyl, I would have loved to be able to connect my turntable to the Zeppelin Pro. Multi-room functionality is a highlight, allowing the Zeppelin Pro to pair with other Zeppelins or Bowers & Wilkins Formation products via the app or AirPlay 2. However, it can’t be configured as a stereo pair with another unit, as it’s designed to deliver stereo sound from a single enclosure.

One significant change from the 2021 Zeppelin is the removal of Amazon Alexa voice control. Bowers & Wilkins cites user feedback indicating it was underutilized, likely due to its limited integration with hi-rez streaming services. Adios Alexa, but honestly, I haven’t used her in years either. High-resolution audio up to 24-bit/96kHz (via the built-in DAC) is supported, ensuring that hi-res streams from Tidal or Qobuz shine with detail and dynamics. While this streamlines the experience, it might irk those who valued hands-free operation. There’s also no support for Google Chromecast or DLNA/UPnP, which slightly limits its network versatility compared to competitors like the Sonos Era 300.

Setup
Setting up the Zeppelin Pro is straightforward, although if Lando wanted to zoom on by to help, I would not complain. Plug it in, download the Bowers & Wilkins Music app, connect to your Wi-Fi network, and you’re ready to stream. There’s no room tuning or complex calibration, which keeps things simple but might disappoint audiophiles craving granular control. The EQ only offers minimal bass and treble controls, and I would have liked to see a few more bands of EQ included. The app serves as the central hub, offering seamless integration with streaming services like Tidal, Qobuz, Deezer, Amazon Music, and TuneIn radio, alongside AirPlay 2 and Spotify Connect through their own apps.

It would have been even more awesome if Spotify showed up directly in the Bowers & Wilkins app, but accessing it from Spotify wasn’t a big negative. Bluetooth 5.0 with aptX Adaptive, AAC, and SBC codecs is also onboard for high-quality wireless playback. The app is surprisingly basic. There’s an option to turn off the aptX Adaptive codec and the controls for the ambient light. That’s it. Once you’ve set up the Zeppelin Pro to your liking, there isn’t much reason to access it again for daily use, especially while using services that don’t integrate directly with the Bowers & Wilkins app.

Performance
Zeppelin Pro’s audio prowess is where it truly shines, building on the 2021 model with subtle yet impactful upgrades. It is purpose-built to produce music. No compromises to enhance dialogue or attempt to create a movie’s LFE components. Its driver array consists of five premium units: a 150mm subwoofer, two 90mm Fixed Suspension Transducer (FST) midrange drives, and two 25mm titanium-dome tweeters borrowed from the acclaimed 600 Series loudspeakers. These are powered by 240 watts of Class D amplification, delivering a claimed frequency response of 35Hz–24kHz. The FST drivers use a technology long embraced by Bowers & Wilkins that is believed to reduce distortion. A ring of foam around the perimeter of the FST midrange driver’s cone keeps it centered instead of a conventional flexible surround, as little cone movement is needed above the lower extension of the driver.

I checked it out with Sailor Jane’s new album release No Ordinary Dub. While a few singles were released from this collection a while ago, the entire album is out and, on my go-to playlists. This dub reggae tribute to Sade’s No Ordinary Love is hypnotic, seductive and addictive. Sailor Jane’s lead vocals on “Stronger Than Pride” showcase the crystal-clear high-end response of the Zeppelin Pro. While keeping the bass tightly controlled, the bright EQ on her vocals shine, yet keep the detail of the background vocals distinct and sharp. The genre-appropriate reverb never dips into muddy, and each layer of echo is kept separate from the higher-end percussion.

Fresh off her Grammy win, Chappell Roan just released “The Giver,” a fun foray into the country genre, never straying far from her “just out for fun” roots. The fiddle-heavy track is bright and bouncy, and Roan’s vocals stay shy of any hint of twang. In other words, the bright track and vibrant background vocals all maintain a controlled lightness. It’s a rowdy track that even when played loud showed no signs of harshness. And it’s so infectious that it begs to be played loud. If Beyoncé can win for best country album last year, perhaps Roan is up next.

While I was loving how the Zeppelin Pro handled female vocals, I needed to be sure it could perform as well with male tonalities. I queued up Jelly Roll’s “Liar” and was not disappointed. His vocals start out close-miked with a warm intimate sound, balanced by the Spanish-inspired acoustic guitar. This is the warmth and richness that runs through many Bowers & Wilkins speaker tunings, and it does not disappoint. The bass and kick drum jump in halfway through the first verse, gearing up for the full band in the explosive chorus. The barely perceptible doubled lead vocals add a depth to the chorus and bridge, and once again, the Zeppelin Pro shows off its ability to handle details with ease. Its ability to maintain the most subtle features of a mix at all volumes is exemplary.

The Zeppelin Pro isn’t a true stereo speaker in the traditional sense—its single-unit design can’t replicate the separation of a two-speaker setup—but it creates an impressively wide and immersive soundfield. Testing it with Philip Glass: Four Movements for Two Pianos reveals surprisingly wide soundstage and stereo separation. While both pianos were playing rhythmic bass lines, the single woofer handled both piano parts deftly. However, it is slightly pulled back in its dynamic range; it excels in balance and refinement rather than dramatic peaks and troughs. Its ability to stream high-resolution audio sources gives it the best chance to convey all the dynamics within a recording.

The titanium tweeters, positioned at the enclosure’s edges and isolated from vibrations, offer crisp, detailed highs without ever turning brash, all while enhancing the wide stereo soundstage that would normally limit a speaker of this size. Testing with tracks like “The Giver” reveals their ability to handle aggressive treble with finesse, preserving vocal bite while avoiding sibilance. The midrange, enhanced by improved cone damping in the FST drivers, is the star of the show—vocals leap forward with clarity and presence, as heard on Sailor Jane’s tracks, where intricate layering remains distinct and cohesive.

Bass performance is refined rather than overpowering. The centrally mounted subwoofer delivers deep, controlled lows that punch without muddying the midrange. While it won’t rattle the walls like a dedicated sub, it filled my rather large and vibrant great room effortlessly without ever getting boomy.

Conclusion
In practice, the Zeppelin Pro is a joy to listen to across all genres. From heavy metal to dub reggae, it maintains tonal accuracy and control, with no distortion even at high volumes. Its sound profile aligns with Bowers & Wilkins’ signature—refined, detailed, and demanding of your attention—much like their acclaimed headphones. As with many other British companies, the sound leans towards warm and dark, and it’s a pleasant place to be. It’s equally adept as a party centerpiece, filling spaces with robust sound, though it lacks the low-end rumble some might crave for bass-heavy EDM or hip-hop. The frequency response is rated at 35Hz–24kHz.

The app’s two-band EQ (bass and treble) feels restrictive compared to competitors’ multi-band offerings, limiting customization. The absence of wired inputs and voice control might also deter some buyers, especially at this price. Yet, for those prioritizing wireless convenience and audio purity, these trade-offs are justifiable.

The Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Pro Edition doesn’t reinvent the wheel—it refines an already stellar design. Its upgraded drivers and enhanced streaming support elevate the listening experience, delivering a sound that’s detailed, balanced, and room-filling. The iconic design, now with fresh finishes and a customizable downlight, remains a statement piece that blends form and function seamlessly.

The new Zeppelin Pro edition represents a near-perfect blend of style and substance, held back only by its niche focus and premium cost. At $799, it’s not cheap, and its lack of smart features or physical connectivity might give pause. But for those seeking a premium, all-in-one wireless speaker that prioritizes sound quality and style over bells and whistles, the Zeppelin Pro is a triumph. It’s not just a speaker—it’s a lifestyle choice for audiophiles who value elegance as much as performance. If you’re new to the Zeppelin lineage, this is the best iteration yet; if you own the 2021 model, the upgrades are subtle but noticeable enough to tempt an upgrade.

Specs:
Dimensions: 25.6" x 8.3" x 7.6"
Weight: 14.6 lb
Drivers
HF 2 x 1" Titanium dome tweeter high frequency
MF 2 x 3.5" FST midrange
LF 1 x 6" Subwoofer