5 out of 5
Having read such wonderful things on Naim’s latest release; the prolific and glorious looking Mu-So, I was ecstatic to be able to sit down and get to know the unit for myself.
Naim is a familiar brand within the HiFi market, having built some of the most exemplary two-channel stereo components for many years, setting a new level of audiophile standard with every product launch. The Mu-So is the company’s first wireless loudspeaker unit, and exists to prove that Naim are not afraid to move with the times and will continue to uphold their prestigious reputation within the industry. Thepassion behind retaining this superior reputation is evident in the Mu-So’s gorgeous aesthetic design, phenomenally convenient connectivity and Naim-standard audiophile sound.
The Mu-So’s cabinet is constructed from MDF, wrapped in a layer of smooth brushed aluminium. This gives the Mu-So a weighty and high-quality feel, mirroring the capability and sonic integrity of the audio elements within. A heatsink spans the full length of the speaker and adds to its deluxe, yet slightly industrial looking appearance. A ‘NAIM’ badge glows unobtrusively below the main bulk ofthe unit, within the mirrored-base of the speaker.
The volume control dial is sensitive, but moves smoothly and firmly with a certain amount of weight to the process. This means that you are able to hear minor adjustments made to the volume of the Mu-So, while making adjustments is controlled. The face of this volume dial is also the Mu-So’s main, physical control interface. Here, the touch-screen will display illuminated icons symbolising the various functions of the Mu-So; pushing the relevant icon will allow you to pause/play tracks, select one of three hard-wired inputs, or browse five preset radio stations, which are set via the Naim App. This clear display also tells you whether you are currently streaming via AirPlay or Bluetooth.
The Mu-So boasts a hefty 450W total power, with six specially designed speaker drivers; two high quality dome tweeters, two capable midrange drivers and two ‘racetrack’ bass drivers. These units are each powered by a powerful 75W digital amplifier. A ribbed bass reflex port has been engineered with a flared design to minimise distortion and offer a controlled, clean, room-filling bass sound. In addition to this exemplary speaker/amplification system, a high performance, 32-bit silicon chip incorporating DSP technology is featured within the Mu-So. This chip technology was derived from research and development initially discovered during Naim’s work on Bentley’s car audio systems.
The Mu-So not only looks and sounds phenomenal, but with a superlative variety of connectivity options, it’s also highly convenient. Naim have integrated support for practically every possible streaming method, allowing you to play your favourite songs from hundreds of sources including Spotify Connect, Apple AirPlay, UPnP, aptX lossless Bluetooth as well as thousands of internet radio stations readily available. You can also connect a large number of devices to the Mu-So physically, via USB (this will charge/play Apple devices or playback USB-storage devices), optical or 3.5mm jack analogue.
The Mu-So can be controlled using the included remote control, the dedicated smartphone app or the control panel on the unit itself. The app offers the most extensive control options within a clean and easy to use interface for selecting tracks across multiple sources. The app also allows you to adjust the speaker’s equaliser settings, allowing you to cater the sound response to your environment or personal preference as well as adjust the multi-room settings and the brightness of the lightsand .
The Mu-So will playback most audio file formats, including all popular formats starting at low-resolution MP3 and spanning all the way across to WAV/FLAC. When hard-wiring the Mu-So, it will play at full, high resolution while using the Mu-So wirelessly will limit playback to 48kHz.
When listening to the Mu-so, I found that the unit was able to comfortably and graciously play back any genre I threw it at it; ranging from soft R&B and the deep, liquid-like bass sounds that come with that style of music, all the way to loud and invasive metalcore; complete with sharp, incendiary guitar riffs and screamed vocals. The Mu-So captured every ounce of emotion from all of the music styles (acoustic, pop, punk rock, dubstep, R&B, metalcore) I tested without showing any depletion of the quality of any song. Even when listening through a basic Bluetooth connection, I found that vocals were clear, detailed and warm; electronic elements were punchy, fast and clear and guitars were natural-sounding and free-flowing.
To summarise, the Mu-So is simply phenomenal.While the price-tag points towards the steeper end of the new media market, its astounding musical playback capabilities tempered with its more than premium aesthetic make it a worthwhile purchase for those looking for an all-in-one, single-box system that looks and feels like a deluxe piece of innovative, audiophile furniture. With a fairly neutral colour scheme, the Mu-So will easily integrate with the existing decor of your listening room, while the quality of sound and ease-of-use will fit flawlessly with your lifestyle.
