Bowers & Wilkins' Zeppelin Mini Alights

You wanted a zeppelin, but the astronomical helium bills and parking space issues put you off. You were about to settle for a Zeppelin, the iPod dock from studio loudspeaker company Bowers & Wilkins, but its finely delivered sound could still be the aural equivalent of the Hindenburg: explosive. Then this arrived: a kinder, gentler -- and smaller -- Zeppelin Mini.

If you like, you can dive into the jargon and babble -- paragraphs about "slotted cones" and "long-throw motors" and "Flowport enclosure architecture." But none of that will speak to your ears the way the Zeppelin Mini's sound can: beautifully, and from various sources. The Mini will receive your iPod and iPhone, a mini-USB port will welcome your other MP3 player or PC, and an AUX input will bring your "older, legacy sources" in from the analog cold (looking at you, lovers of vinyl...).

Final flourishes include the Zeppelin Mini's docking arm swinging vertically or horizontally, you can sync your iPhone or iPod Touch while it's docked, and the Mini charges the two while it plays. And because it's smaller, you can fit it into more places -- including, when you finally get around to it, your airship zeppelin. The Mini can be acquired through Apple and other retailers for $399.00.