The A7 is according to various recessions everything again a tad better - and in a more compact and significantly lighter housing. The A7 weighs in about half of the zeppelin and requires approximately half the footprint. It offers in addition to the known 3.5mm input (combined with optical input), the AirPlay interface (LAN and WLAN), and finally a USB port. Here you can simply plug his laptop and already the A7 is recognized as a sound device. Without any driver. There is no dock for Apple products. The known remote control completes the package.
As all sounds now? In my view, unfortunately disappointing. Opposite the Zeppelin, the A7 has indeed gained bass precision and depth, but the box begins already in volume slightly above room volume in the middle (and shortly thereafter also in the heights) to, to annoying rattle. Votes act fast aggressive treble (15kHz +) via a presence. The "relaxed" sound of Zeppelin, which could be almost never get worked up, is available here only at (very) low volumes. Also, the stereo image is due to the smaller package size slightly worse. Too bad. Only the bass has the box under control. But the very flowery bass Zeppelin sets the A7 towards a little more precision and depth. Really neutral is the whole course still do not.
What I would recommend the A7? Unique to the background music or a good playback device in the kitchen or the bedroom. Is asked now and then to levels slightly above room volume and has the necessary space, but it is better to pick up the Zeppelin. I had expected more considering the price.
Pro:
+ Good sound to low volume
+ Optical input (AUX combined), USB interface for PCs, wired and wireless Airplay
+ Compact and lightweight body, easy to set up and to transport
+ Elegant design
+ Remote
Cons:
- Overridden in the middle too fast (slightly higher room volume is sufficient)
- Only the power cord supplied, an AUX, optical or USB cable is missing
- High price
- Original B & W Zeppelin sounds altogether more convincing
