Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Loudspeaker Dock System for iPod and MP3 Players

Welcome to the speaker system your iPod has been waiting for. Zeppelin sounds fantastic--and it looks great, too. It uses drive unit technologies and design principles refined and perfected for Bowers & Wilkins' most advanced reference-standard speakers. Compact, stylish, and beautifully simple to set up and use, Zeppelin 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 is an integrated speaker system from Bowers & Wilkins (B&W), 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.

Technical Details :
* An iPod dock/speaker system that also can be seamlessly integrated into your home stereo/theater system.
* Comprised of two 1-inch aluminum tweeters, two 3.5-inch fiber cone mid-range drivers, and one 5-inch bass driver.
* Uses Bowers & Wilkins' state-of-the-art technology to create flawless sound reproduction; charges iPod while docked.
* The spring-loaded dock flexes to accommodate all dockable iPod models; compatible with iPod classic (3G, 4G, 5G, 5.5G, 6G), iPod touch (1G, 2G), iPod nano (1G, 2G, 3G, 4G), iPhone (1G, 3G), and iPod mini.
* Various other devices can play sound through Zeppelin using the 3.5-mm mini-jack analog/optical digital input.



Design
Form follows function; the body of Zeppelin follows the form of its components, with two tweeters at each end, two mid-range drivers next, with a subwoofer/bass driver in the center.
B&W 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 of differing depth through a spring-loaded docking arm that flexes to accommodate each model without adapters or other manual adjustment.

Technology
Not only is the shape of Zeppelin pleasing to the eye, but it also is based on sound acoustic principles. The less physical material there is around tweeters and midranges, the better they sound. By minimizing the baffle area around the drive units, the cabinet reduces diffraction effects, making for ultra-wide sound dispersion and a much smoother response. In other words, it sounds as good as it looks.
The twin midrange drive units that supply the bulk of Zeppelin's amazing sound rely on glass fiber cones optimized using laser interferometry. Drive units are the "engine room" of any speaker, and Zeppelin's midrange and tweeter derived directly from those in B&W's award-winning M-1, regarded by the world's specialist audio press as class-leading compact speakers.

Simple Operation
Zeppelin 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 Zeppelin or channel images from your iPod or iPhone to a television. In addition, there's a USB input for internal updates available through B&W's website for download.

Remote
Accompanying Zeppelin is a pebble-like remote, which allows you to change tracks, volume, and mode.

Pros:
1. There would be no electricity noise AT ALL when you pause the music, which is a common problem in most speakers in the market even in Bose Companion 5 (I should know, had it before).
2. Music sounds continuous and balanced because it has 4 speakers and one bass in the middle.
3. Easy to connect to ipod iphone and computers.
4. They also have firmware upgrade.

Cons:
1. The remote is not very sensitive. It would work fine if pointed directly at the front of the Zeppelin, but would struggle from the sides or if facing away from the Zeppelin.
2. There would only be a power cord in the box. If you want to connect to computers or other thing like CD player, you need to get your own cord which is easy to get at radio-shack.

Harman Kardon SoundSticks II 2.1 Plug and Play Multimedia Speaker System

Harman Kardon’s 40-watt SoundSticks II three-piece speaker system produces high-quality stereo sound for music, MP3’s, movies and gaming experiences. The mini stereo jack connection allows you to enjoy awesome audio from a variety of devices such as digital music players, computers (all platforms), stereos and portable listening devices. Touch Volume Control – Just a touch increases or decreases the volume. Just a touch mutes or un-mutes the system. SoundSticks II also remembers your last volume setting. The SoundSticks II audio system utilizes a straightforward interconnect technology, which provides an effortless user interface with minimum desktop wiring. The powerful subwoofer provides clean, low bass. The treble and subwoofer level controls are located on the back of the subwoofer.

Technical Details :
* 3-piece plug and play multimedia speaker system.
* Stunning, original design with great sound.
* Features computer-optimized multi-band parametric equalization.
* Capacitance touch control buttons provide direct access to volume control.
* 20 Watts RMS subwoofer power output.



Harman Kardon's SoundSticks II three-piece speaker system produces high-quality stereo sound for Music, MP3s, movies and gaming experiences.
The SoundSticks II system encourages you to step out of the ordinary speaker world and offers sound in an original and unique package. The system, described as curvy, sleek and sexy, delivers sound that is loud and clear.
SoundSticks II employs a new computer-optimized multi-band parametric equalization and Harman’s unique "capacitance touch" control buttons on the right satellite allow for direct access to volume control.

CUSTOMER FEEDBACK :
These speakers give much better sound than my old pair of speakers. They also look much better than just about any multimedia speaker out there. Of course, they cost more too. If you are looking for a good sounding, sharp designed set of speakers and can afford the price, get these.

A few things to tell :
> These speakers (Soundstick II) are compatible with PCs. The original Soundsticks were only for Apples.
> The casing, though plastic, is very solid.
> The subwoofer has a bass adjust knob.
> One of the satellite speakers has a touch volume control.
> The system does not have an on/off button. It designed to stay on all the time.

Razer Mako 2.1 Speaker System

The Razer Mako 2.1 bi-amplified multimedia speaker system is co-developed by the audio scientists of gaming audio leader Razer and audio industry pioneer THX Ltd. It is the first desktop speaker system to incorporate the THX Ground Plane and THX Slot Speaker technologies, as well as ClassHD Digital Amplifier Technology, which enable rich, omnidirectional audio effects that will redefine the desktop sound experience.

Technical Details :
* Omni-Directional Expanded Soundstage with THX Technologies.
* ClassHD Digital Amplifier Technology.
* Exceptional Audio Quality with Bi-Amplified Satellites.
* Higher efficiency curves, improved SNR and EMI, and lowered distortion levels.
* Downward-firing design with optimized acoustic enclosure.



KEY FEATURES :
- OmniDirectional Expanded Soundstage with THX Technologies : The innovative downward-firing design of the THX Ground Plane and THX Slot Speaker technologies eliminates distortion caused by the "desk-bounce" phenomenon encountered with normal speaker systems, to create a rich, omnidirectional soundstage.
- ClassHD Digital Amplifier Technology : The high-end ClassHD digital amplifier technologies intelligently manages the amplifier power to achieve greater power efficiency, lower distortion levels, and markedly better sound quality.
- Exceptional Audio Quality with Bi-Amplified Satellites : The bi-amplified 50W satellites with DSP control deliver exceptional audio quality comparable to recording studio standards.
- THX-certified quality and performance.
- ClassHD digital amplifier technology with digital DSP control.
- Higher efficiency curves, improved SNR and EMI, and lowered distortion levels.
- Patented THX Ground Plane and THX Slot Speaker technologies.
- Downward-firing design with optimized acoustic enclosure.
- All-in-one remote control pod with touch-sensitive LED dial.
- 3.5mm auxiliary input minijack.
- 3.5mm headphone minijack.
- RCA audio input.
- Frequency Range:25-20,000Hz (+/-2.5dB 40-18,000Hz).
- Total system power: 300W RMS.

FEEDBACK :
The unit's volume control is slick and the speakers definetly fill the room in terms of sound and bass. There is no hiss sound from the speakers when not in use. Only issue is the lack of an optical output.