Naim Mu-so 2nd Generation
Naim takes the impressive Mu-so and makes it even better The top dial now boasts 15 touch-sensitive buttons and a proximity sensor
£1,299 FROM Naim, naimaudio.com FEAtUREs Multiroom, comprehensive audio format and streaming support
The Mu-so 2nd Generation might seem, at a glance, like a minor evolution of the all-conquering (in the £900 wireless speaker market) original Mu-so. But it actually beats its predecessor to a pulp in terms of audio quality, while adding new connectivity options.
The first Naim Mu-so pretty much redefined the wireless speaker market. This new model upgrades it in every way, but the price tag’s gone up too. It looks a lot like the first Mu-so – if it ain’t broke, why fix it? However, enough has changed with the colour of the metal, the design of the over-sized volume/control dial and the remote control to make it discernible from its sibling. The top dial now boasts 15 touch-sensitive buttons, more striking illumination, and a proximity sensor that wakes it as you approach.
The metal is now in a more ‘burnished’ finish, and the speaker grille, while visually similar is actually wholly redesigned. The speaker comes with a black grille but you can replace it with one in a Terracotta, Olive or Peacock. They cost a further £50 each but they are attractive and Naim is at pains to point out that they’re also truly acoustically transparent.
The speaker is beautiful but wide. You’d find it hard to fit in a small room but if you’re in the market for a £1,300 wireless speaker, you may well have the room to accommodate it.
The first Mu-so was forceful, engaging and precise. The 2nd Generation is really forceful,
hugely engaging and precise. The sound stage is wider – an HDMI ARC input has been added so it can happily double as a stereo soundbar – the bass response improved and the sheer presence of it is just that much more massive.
It goes very loud. Without distortion. That’s not to say it is built only to rock. Play something stripped back to human voice or piano, or minimalist electronic music and it sends shivers down the spine.
Sound options
Tidal is built in and there’s native support for Spotify Connect. Tidal, Spotify and every other mobile-based streaming service can also be sent over AirPlay 2, Google Chromecast or even Bluetooth. The speaker sucks every bit of detail out of Spotify streams and AAC and MP3 rips, and performs well when you go to the opposite extreme and stream 32bit/384kHz files in FLAC, WAV and DSD.
Multiroom is possible via AirPlay 2 or Chromecast, or Naim’s own system via the app, remote or on-body controls. The app is comprehensive and convenient, and also boasts Naim’s excellent radio mini app. The app is also frequently updated.
The processor in the 2nd Generation has far more oomph. It’s a ‘multicore’ chip, capable of 2,000 million instructions per second (MIPS), compared to the original Mu-so’s single-core, which could manage 150 MIPS. As a result, Mu-so 2 should be able to support any service or streaming system to launch in the forseeable future, and a version with mics added could also support voice control, if and when Naim feels like adding it.
That increase in processing power also explains why the digital signal processing is improved so greatly. Naim’s upgraded speaker drivers, developed jointly with Focal’s R&D department, clearly help in this respect as well.
£1,299 may turn out to be a cost bridge too far and the 2nd Generation will be less of a smash hit than the first one. If your budget can handle it, though, this is a stunningly good wireless speaker that justifies its asking price in spades.