Hands-on with the Libratone Zipp AirPlay speaker (gallery)

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  • libratonezipp01.jpg

    Front of the Libratone Zipp retail package

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

  • libratonezipp02.jpg

    Back of the Libratone Zipp package

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

  • libratonezipp03.jpg

    I enjoyed the line that you see when you open the package and get ready to check out the contents.

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

  • libratonezipp04.jpg

    The retail box contains the charger, extra wool covers, and detailed instructions.

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

  • libratonezipp05.jpg

    PlayDirect is Libratone's cool technology that lets you make a direct WiFi connection to the speaker with no router or network needed.

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

  • libratonezipp06.jpg

    The Zipp speaker and rest of the A/C charger is found in the lower part of the retail box.

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

  • libratonezipp07.jpg

    Here is the Zipp in the default gray wool blanket with the A/C adapter.

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

  • libratonezipp08.jpg

    The top is white with an older iPod looking control button. You press the logo to turn the speaker on and off while the ring is used for volume with a light indicator on it.

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

  • libratonezipp09.jpg

    The battery indicator, PlayDirect and AirPlay indicators and buttons are in one area with the USB port and aux jack below.

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

  • libratonezipp10.jpg

    The leather strap is used to carry the speaker, but can also rotate to cover up the controls when you have it set on a table.

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

  • libratonezipp11.jpg

    Here you can see how it compares to the Nokia Play 360 speaker in size.

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

  • libratonezipp12.jpg

    The A/C adapter plugs in to the bottom and there is an opening so the speaker sits flat when plugged in.

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

  • libratonezipp13.jpg

    Here is a shot of the naked Zipp with the wool blanket removed.

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

  • libratonezipp14.jpg

    This shows how the wool cover fits around the control area. Take it slow when removing or attaching the wool in the area of the controls.

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

  • libratonezipp15.jpg

    I now have the blue cover on the Zipp.

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

  • libratonezipp16.jpg

    The Libratone iOS app lets you control settings on the speaker.

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

  • libratonezipp17.jpg

    You can optimize the way the sound comes out of the Zipp using the iOS utility.

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

  • libratonezipp18.jpg

    More connection settings in the iOS app.

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

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    There are default equalizer sound settings for you to choose from as well.

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

  • libratonezipp20.jpg

    When you plug in to the Libratone Zipp via USB you get this pop-up.

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

  • libratonezipp21.jpg

    When you use a music app you can tap the icon and choose the Libratone Zipp as the audio output.

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

  • libratonezipp22.jpg

    Speaker firmware updates are managed via the iOS app.

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

  • libratonezipp23.jpg

    As you can see the Libratone appears in your WiFi network settings.

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

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I have used quite a few Bluetooth speaker solutions and some have been great, but Apple's AirPlay via WiFi promised more. The unique Libratone Zipp plays flawlessly and is a serious AirPlay speaker to consider.

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Front of the Libratone Zipp retail package

Caption by: Matthew Miller

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