AirPlay speakers are still on the pricey side of wireless audio, and while they offer some advantages over Bluetooth speakers (namely higher fidelity audio), there are disadvantages as well. The Libratone Zipp($399.95) is no exception.
At 10.2-inches tall and 4.8-inches in diameter, the Zipp packs two 1-inch tweeters and a single 4-inch low-end driver. Dress it up with one of eight different colored wool covers.
Like other AirPlay speakers, setting up your iDevice or Mac to stream audio to the Zipp is painless. Simply connect your iDevice to the USB port on the Zipp, follow some simple instructions, and you're good to go, provided you have a functional Wi-Fi network. If you don't however, the Zipp has another trick up it's sleeve.
With what Libratone is calling PlayDirect, the Zipp essentially creates it's own Wi-Fi network to connect to your device. Unfortunately, going this route will cost your device it's cellular connection, meaning you can't stream from apps like Spotify or Pandora, and are limited to media stored on your device. However, Libratone does offer a solution, albeit a somewhat cumbersome one.
At four pounds, the Zipp is certainly portable, sporting a leather handle and between 4 to 8 hours of battery life depending on whether or not you connect wirelessly. While the Zipp does offer 360-degree sound, it stops short of filling a decent sized room before any distortion sets in. That being said, highs and mids are bright and clear, while the active bass driver certainly makes its presence known without sounding too muffled or rattly.
The Good
AirPlay connectivity works with or without Wi-Fi
Portable, lightweight
Decent battery life
High fidelity sound
The Bad
High price point
PlayDirect has some downsides
The Verdict
If you're looking for a strictly at-home wireless speaker, the Zipp is definitely worth checking out, as AirPlay offers an overall better sound quality than Bluetooth speakers. But, if you're looking for something even more portable and compatible with more devices, a cheaper Bluetooth speaker may be the better option.