Recently, Bowers and Wilkins released new version of Zeppelin Wireless speaker. Its price point and spec makes some wonder if this is a replacement of Formation Wedge. Let’s take a close look.
Disclaimer: I own Formation Wedge, but do not have Zeppelin 2021
Background
B&W started in 1966 in the workshop of John Bower’s electronics shop in Worthing, South England. Since then they have established as a premium audio brand.
In 2016, the B&W was acquired by a startup company EVA Automation, which had driven development of Wireless speaker suites, Formation speakers. Formation wireless speaker suites were released in 2019.
(photo from B&W)
These speakers are B&W’s response or attempt to capture growing premium WiFi speaker market that has been dominated by Sonos, but many other competitors including Denon HEOS, Bose, Bluesound and others.
Formation Wedge is the top end single unit speaker within the Formation Suites, equivalent of Sonos 5, Denon Home 350 in respective competitors.
Sonos 5 ($549)
The biggest sales point of Formation Suites is high quality audio that can synchronize across formation speakers whether in stereo pairs of two Formation Flex, across multiple rooms amongst different formation speakers, or formation speakers with bass unit all wirelessly.
Zeppelin
The latest version of Zeppelin has just been released by B&W, but it actually goes a far back.
The original Zeppelin was released back in 2007 as an accessory for iPod. Some considered it as a device that had set the benchmark for premium iPod speaker docks.
(photo from: B&W)
The last generation of Zeppelin Wireless was released six years ago in 2015.
Zeppelin (2021) vs. Formation Wedge
Connectivity
Let’s start comparison with connectivity.
Alexa
The main advantage of Zeppelin 2021 over the Formation Wedge is built in Alexa voice control support.
Personally, I have multiple voice controlled devices including multiple Amazon echo series. I also have Alexa enable d Sonos speakers.
One of the Alexa function our family value is the “announcement”. It allows one of us tell one Alexa unit to announce something and all Alexa connected speakers plays that “announcement.”
Another area that Alexa has been part of our daily routine is setting alarm and occasionally having it play audio news podcast.
Although my kids occasionally uses Alexa voice control to play some music, it does not bother me selecting actual music list using phone. In fact, even Alexa enabled Sonos, I still prefer using Sonos app (or Roon) to play music because its easier to select exact musics I want that way.
So even though it seems to be a major addition, one has to think if built in Alexa support make a real difference for your own daily routine.
Technically speaking, Formation suites has Alexa Skill support, which should allow speaker like Formation Wedge to become controllable via other Alexa enabled unit like Amazon Echo.
However, I cannot get Alexa Skill for B&W Formation to work.
Also in my past experience, when the Alexa voice input and audio output sources are separate, Alexa tends to suffer capturing voice command while music is being played.
For those of you, Alexa support is important, Zeppelin 2021 is the clear winner here.
Winner: Zeppelin 2021
Bluetooth Evolution
Another category that Zeppelin is clear winner over the Formation Wedge is use of newer Bluetooth technology.
Zeppelin uses Bluetooth 5.0 while Formation Wedge uses Bluetooth 4.1. The more user relevant comparison here is to look at actual music streaming codecs each technology supports.
The major different we as a regular consumer should look is word depth section and sampling frequency section.
Formation Wedge supports aptX HD. This codec is capable up to 24 bit/48kHz streaming. Although this meets Hi-Res music based on the strict definition of audio quality beyond CD, some including Apple label this as lossless music rather than Hi-Res.
On the contrary, Zeppelin support aptX Adaptive codec. This is capable of 24-bit/96 kHz streaming, which is unequivocally Hi-Res.
One caveat here is that there is debate whether any of bluetooth codec is a genuine Hi-Res because they all use lossy compression technology.
Regardless, newer superior bluetooth technology is utilized in the Zeppelin.
Winner: Zeppelin 2021
Roon Ready
Roon is a subscription based or onetime $699.99 purchase premium local, digital audio library software.
Formation Wedge is labeled as Roon Ready device, which means it is capable to take the full advantage of Roon system.
At the time of this writing, Zeppelin does not list Roon support.
Since airplay protocol itself is supported as Roon end point, Roon can still stream music to Zeppelin; however, the stream quality will be limited to CD.
Although I would not be surprised if Zeppelin adds Roon Ready label in the future, there is no guarantee. In fact, I have sent question to B&W about this, and their response was essentially no future plan can be shared.
So formation wedge is the winner in this category.
Winner: Formation Wedge
Formation Integration
At the time of this writing, Zeppelin does not support Formation connectivity. However, B&W has officially confirmed that the formation integration will be implemented with the future software update.
I surmise this means there will be a support of multi-room music sync, bass unit connection, and wired input extension via Formation Audio will be added. Similar to the Wedge, I expect there will be no stereo pairing of two Zeppelin units.
Just for the time being, Formation wedge is temporarily winner.
Winner: Formation Wedge (Temporarily)
So in a quick summary, Zeppelin gets points for Alexa support and newer Bluetooth codec support.
Formation Wedge gets a point for full Roon support and temporarily receives a point fpr Formation integration.
The rest of specs from connectivity points are essentially the same.
Hardware
Form the hardware stand point of view; other than already discussed bluetooth chip difference, two have very similar specs.
It is worth mentioning that Zeppelin currently does not list its max sampling frequency, but I have received confirmation email from B&W stating that it is indeed capable of 24 bit/96 kHz play just like the Formation Wedge.
Frequency Response
There is subtle difference is frequency response. Formation Wedge goes up to 28kHz while Zeppelin is 24 kHz rated.
Honestly, I doubt I myself can hear any sound quality difference between the two just because of the extra 4kHz frequency response.
Winner: Formation Wedge (doubtful significance)
Power Consumption
Another difference between two units is power consumption. In sleep mode, Zeppelin 2021 is more power efficient.
Though I doubt I will see any significant difference in electrical bill from this.
Winner: Zeppelin (doubtful significance)
Price
Lastly, we compare the price. Zeppelin is $100 cheaper for the listed price. Considering nearly identical hardware specs with some areas of boosted spec and functionality, Zeppelin is definite winner in this category.
WInner: Zeppelin
Overall
I have not heard the sound of Zeppelin 2021 myself, but I am fairly certain Zeppelin 2021 will sound as good as Formation Wedge.
So the primary difference between two units are Zeppelin supporting built in Alexa, uses newer Bluetooth technology and its $100 cheaper. Although currently Zeppelin does not support Formation integration, this has been officially confirmed by B&W to come with the future software update.
The only reason I see for anyone to go with Formation Wedge over Zeppelin 2021 at this point is you need Formation integration right at this moment, and need full Roon support. The latter could be especially important as there is no guarantee Zeppelin will have full Roon support in the future. Otherwise, Zeppelin 2021 is simply better choice.