The wireless speaker that looks as good as its sounds: B&W Zeppelin Wireless review

$699 (£500) wireless speaker can use bluetooth, Airplay and Spotify
Also has a hidden 3.5mm jack for connecting older players

Published: 19:18 EST, 15 January 2016 | Updated: 19:24 EST, 15 January 2016

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Wireless speakers are, for the most part, ugly.

While firms like Sonos have made them easy to use, and sound great, they still look, well, like speakers.

British hifi brand B&W changed that with the Zeppelin - a simply stunning piece of design that sounds every bit as good as it looks.

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It's not cheap, but the $699 (£500) Zeppelin Wireless is perfect for the design conscious music fan.

The iconic design has actually been around for eight years - but still looks as fresh as the day it was unveiled.

Even the packaging is slick and unlike anything else, cradling the stranger shaped speaker in transport.

First plugging it it can, to be honest, be a little baffling - there's simply nothing to do.

Setup is through an app, and the connections are all wireless - there's not an ugly dock in sight here.

There is, however, a 3.5mm audio jack on the back, but predominantly you'll connect via Apple's Airplay, bluetooth or Spotify's connect feature in the new wireless version.

In use, it's simple - just select the Zeppelin wireless on your phone, table or computer.

There are three buttons on the top for volume and play/pause; ethernet, power and auxiliary sockets around the rear.

In use, its simple - just select the Zeppelin wireless on your phone, table or computer.

The key to the speaker is, of course, sound.

It's stunning.

Vocals are clear, bass is surprisingly deep, and play some decent quality files and it'll blow most of its cheaper competition out of the water.

Internally, there are five drivers.

Each of the five drivers gets its own Class D amp.

Where there was once an ugly dock, the wireless has a clean status light

Four 25-watters push a pair of 3.5-inch mids and a pair of 1-inch double-dome tweeters, while a 50-watt amp gives the 6.5-inch subwoofer surprising authority.

What this also means, is that its loud - the Zeppelin will fill all but the largest living rooms with ease.

While the sounds isn't quite as nuanced at speakers like Naim's $1499 Mu:So, the Zeppelin is also half the price (and arguably looks better).

Its minimalist, simple and straightforward - but performs brilliantly.

If sound quality and design matter, then this could be the perfect speaker for you - and honestly, even if you think it looks weird, have a listen anyway - you might be converted!