Expert’s Rating
Our Verdict
Libratone’sZippis another entry in the continually expanding market of colorful and remarkably mold radio , portable speakers . However , while most of those speakers use Bluetooth , the Zipp use Apple ’s AirPlay technology ; and instead of being a light , spacious speaker unit system , the Zipp is a tall cylinder .
That piston chamber is 10.2 inches tall , 4.8 column inch across , weighs four pound , and is covered in … woollen . In fact , the Zipp surely come its name from the colorful , zippered , fleece overlay you’re able to garment it in . The $ 400 version of the Zipp includes one wool natural covering ( either gray or crimson ) , while a $ 450 version includes three cover : either ruby-red , blue , and dreary gray ; or yellow , pinkish , and dark gray . ( Other color are uncommitted separately from Libratone . ) These covers oeuvre fine , and they ’re comfortable to put on and take off . In theory , they ’re fun and offer easy - to - replace trade protection and personalization , though I ’d in all probability just pick my color when I buy the speaker and never trade it out .
The blank round top of the Zipp remains display even when the speaker system is zipped up in its cover . On that white surface sits a button with Libratone ’s singing - bird logotype . You press the main push once to wake up up the speaker unit or , if it ’s already alive , to tone down the AirPlay intensity grade on the source equipment . Press and defy the push button to plow the Zipp off .
ring that button is a circle hosting volume controls and a light-emitting diode status indicator . The sluttish pulses when the Zipp is asleep , shines solid when the Zipp is playing music , pulsate yellow when the Zipp is booting , and pulses red when the Zipp is in problem — either due to Wi - Fi publication or because the battery level is very low .
That main button is n’t concentrate on on the top of the Zipp ; rather , it ’s situate near the front of the gadget . On the paired side , running down the back of the Zipp , are several other elements : the attachment point for the speaker unit ’s leather articulatio radiocarpea strap , a battery - position indicator ( which indicates low battery , charging , or fully charged ) , a PlayDirect button and indicator ( more on that in a scrap ) , an AirPlay - frame-up button , a USB port wine , and a 1/8 - inch ( 3.5 mm ) auxiliary input . Underneath the social unit , on its Qaeda , is the jack for the included baron adapter ; there ’s a little pass in the base for the cord to nuzzle in as it exits from beneath the Zipp .
What ’s thisPlayDirectbusiness ? It essentially means that the Zipp can create its own Wi - Fi web for AirPlay intention — you do n’t demand to link your source twist and the Zipp to an exist meshing . When in PlayDirect modality , you connect your machine — iPhone , iPad , iPod touch , or Mac — to the Zipp ’s internet , pick out the Zipp as the AirPlay destination , and you may start pour to the speaker immediately — no further configuration is required . This intend that unlike other “ portable ” AirPlay organization we ’ve covered , the Zipp really can be taken beyond the reaches of any existing wireless web and still stream music to it . But it also means that if you pair your iOS gadget or Mac to the Zipp ’s PlayDirect internet , you wo n’t be able to enter the Internet for as long as you stay affiliated to the Zipp .
If you choose a traditional AirPlay apparatus instead , the Zipp offers a unsubdivided ( and immensely hearty ) shape option I have n’t encountered before : You connect the speaker via USB to your iOS gadget , and then fight and keep that PlayDirect button . At that point , an warning signal appears on your connect gadget , asking if you ’d like to share its Wi - Fi setting with the speaker . Tap Allow , and the Zipp automatically inherit your iOS equipment ’s Wi - Fi preferences , reboots itself , and you ’re good to go .
Alternatively , you’re able to use the Libratone Io app to configure the Zipp ( and change its name ) , or configure the Zipp by aiming your iOS gadget or Mac ’s web browser app to the Zipp ’s IP address when connected to the Zipp ’s own Wi - Fi web . Interestingly , all the conformation options start with your using the PlayDirect button ; the manual of arms piss no quotation to ever using the AirPlay setup button instead . A Libratone representative explained toMacworldthat you may apply the AirPlay button to toggle switch between PlayDirect and AirPlay mode .
Libratone claims that the Zipp ’s built - in battery offer up to eight hours of pumped playback or four hours of wireless playback . In my testing while using AirPlay , the low - battery index number came on at almost precisely the four - hour mark .
Inside the Zipp are a four - inch bass driver and two one - inch , ribbon - based tweeters . They merge to generate impressively full audio . That bass number one wood wo n’t give you lawful low freshwater bass , but it does give the Zipp a substantial lower - end presence . Overall , music sounds excellent coming from the Zipp .
Libratone dubs the Zipp ’s audio as “ FullRoom sound . ” That term refers to the fact that the Zipp purpose to wreak medicine in 360 degrees , rather than indicate the audio in a individual direction . I do n’t always love that effect — I feel it made theHiddenRadiosuffer — but the audio ironware inside the Zipp name that apparatus crop well here .
Bottom line
Though it ’s 1.3 pound heavier , the Zipp feels about as portable as the bad - but - totableBig Jambox(4.5 out of 5 evaluation ) . And as great as the Big Jambox voice , the Zipp sounds even good . With its ingenious AirPlay and PlayDirect implementations , its simple setup process , and its attractive design , the Zipp is an easy speaker to recommend . If you want a portable AirPlay verbaliser , it ’s an excellent option — as long as the cost is n’t too steep for your needs .
