Bowers & Wilkins Z2 Wireless Music System

B&W Z2 wireless music system

2 Year Bowers & Wilkins Warranty

Bowers & Wilkins Z2 offers versatility and convenience without compromising performance. This is down to attention to detail in the science of acoustics, as well smart implementation of audiophile-grade electronics. This manifests itself in a combination of sensible implementation of core Bowers & Wilkins technologies, many of which were originally designed for our high-end loudspeaker ranges, and bespoke Z2 developments. 

Drive units
Foremost among the new technological developments are B&W Z2’s drive units. Our extensive research and development has allowed us to use a single full range drive unit without resorting to additional tweeters. Reproducing such a wide frequency range with a single drive unit presents challenges. Most problematic is that resonances are emitted by the speaker diaphragm and voice coil at high frequencies. Z2 uses the same glass fibre cone material as found on our M-1 speaker. This stiff and light cone material controls diaphragm resonances to improve off-axis high frequency beaming, creating a spatial and natural sound anywhere in the room.

Anti-Resonance Plug
Additionally, in order to control the resonances emitted from the voice coil and the associated high frequency distortion Anti-Resonance Plug technology (as found on the high-end PM1) has also been implemented. The single drive unit delivers pure and clean highs.

Speaker basket
Sound radiates from the rear of a drive unit as well as the front. For most applications this is undesirable as the rear sound adds colouration when it reflects off of the speaker basket. By using a speaker basket with increased open area, rear sound reflections are minimized. Additionally, the air pressure behind the diaphragm is distributed more evenly, which prevents rocking of the diagram and voice coil components. The result of fewer rear sound reflections and uniform speaker movement is that associated coloration is dramatically reduced.

Flowport™
Z2 also incorporates Bowers & Wilkins Flowport™ technology. The dimpled holes around the port reduce air turbulence in the same way as a golf ball. The ports are ultra silent so the bass is clean at all listening levels.

Amplifiers
Z2’s versatile size is disproportional to performance; critical to this are the carefully selected amplifiers. The latest class D amplifiers with minimal output filters address intermodulation distortion in the electronics domain. Audio artifacts normally associated with the use of output filters are pushed higher
in frequency, way out of the hearing band. To the listener the result is smooth and clean high frequencies.

Digital Signal Processing
For many docking speakers, when played at high volume levels, the sound become unlistenable and incoherent. Z2 takes a clever approach by applying propriety Digital Signal Processing. Z2 monitors and analyses the audio signal at every sample and intelligently optimises the system to ensure controlled bass output and room filling sound at all listening levels. The direct digital signal from the source passes through our audiophile digital to analogue convertors ensuring that the sound is kept intact and as accurate as possible.

Power supply
Great sounding audio electronics, especially amplifiers, rely on a great power source; this has not been over-looked for Z2. The power supply has been designed to deliver maximum stability. Clean, low-noise power ensures that all electronic components including the amplifiers can unleash their full potential.

Build quality
Z2’s audio electronics and acoustic components are capable of generating a lot of sound output. To ensure that the enclosure does not rattle or buzz great attention and thought has been applied to the design. Not only has the enclosure been made from glass re-enforced ABS, extra strengthening ribs have been included to limit and control undesirable resonances. The end result is a versatile AirPlay speaker, capable of producing room-filling, high-quality sound both wirelessly and when your iPhone is docked.