Bowers & Wilkins Just Gave an Iconic Wireless Speaker Its First Hi-Fi Upgrade in Years

The Zeppelin Pro Edition wireless speaker borrows drivers and technologies from B&W’s more expensive loudspeakers.

Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Pro Edition wireless speaker

Published October 15, 2024

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Bowers & Wilkins revealed its first Zeppelin speaker back in 2007. At the time, it received rave reviews for its excellent stereo sound and standout blimp-shaped design.

But this was before streaming hit the mainstream, and the original Zeppelin was a glorified iPod speaker — it had a dock similar to Apple’s long-lost yet much-loved iPod Hi-Fi — and it lacked Bluetooth or Wi-Fi streaming capabilities.

Over the years, the famed British hi-fi maker has iterated and upgraded its signature speaker several times to be hip with the times. Most recently, the 2021-released Zeppelin is an all-in-one wireless speaker. Think of it as a luxury alternative to Sonos.

Now, three years later, Bowers & Wilkins has released an upgraded version of that wireless speaker.

Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Pro Edition

$799 at Bowers & Wilkins

New trickle-down tweeters

The Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Pro Edition is mostly identical to its predecessor — which is currently sold out on the company’s website — with the biggest upgrade being on the inside. Specifically, it has new, improved drivers.

B&W has given its Pro Edition speaker dual Titanium Dome tweeters, which are actually the same tweeters found in the company’s 603 S3 floor-standing speakers, which sell for $2,500/pair. Like before, these tweeters are located on the outermost edges of the speaker to ensure the widest soundstage possible.

The speaker’s new 90mm midrange drivers feature proprietary Fixed Suspension Transducer (FST) technology, which helps reduce coloration and deliver a more accurate sound. This midrange driver tech is also trickled down from Bowers & Wilkins’s floor-standing speakers, as well.

Lastly, the Pro Edition has a 150mm woofer that’s mounted centrally, just like its non-Pro predecessor.

A modern-day streamer

Similar to the 2021-released Zeppelin, this Pro Edition speaker sports a wide range of streaming options.

On the Wi-Fi side, it supports AirPlay 2 and Spotify Connect, as well as easy access to lossless streaming services like Tidal or Qobuz via its companion app. It supports Bluetooth (aptX Adaptive) streaming as well.

If you have another Zeppelin wireless speaker or any of B&W’s higher-end Formation wireless speakers, you can group the Pro Edition (via the app) for a multi-room experience.

Price and availability

While nearly indistinguishable from the outside, one way to tell the difference between the 2021-released Zeppelin and the 2024-released Zeppelin Pro Edition is the speaker’s color. The new Pros two new finishes, either Space Gray or Solar Gold, while the older models come in a more traditional Pearl Grey or Charcoal (black).

Another difference is that while both models have a neat down-firing light that illuminates the pedestal below the speaker, the Pro Edition speaker’s light is more customizable. Through the app, you can pick between 15 different hues.

The Zeppelin Pro Edition is available now and costs $799, the same price as the 2021-released Zeppelin (which B&W is seemingly phasing out, but you can still buy — deeply discounted — from third-party sites).