Naim Mu-So Qb

Big sound and stylish looks in a petite package

$999 Manufacturer Naim, naimaudio.com

Features UPnP, AirPlay, Bluetooth, Internet radio; USB. 3.5mm and optical digital; Spotify and Tidal

The original Mu-so was a phenomenal-sounding speaker with a great control scheme, but its form factor didn’t quite make sense – it was too large and deep to fit comfortably on most people’s shelves or tables at home. The Qb is just as good, but much smaller, so is a better fit in many people’s lives.

The Qb’s connectivity ports are on the rear; you’ll find analog, optical and USB inputs, with an Ethernet port and power connector. However, you’re likely to connect to the Qb wirelessly, and here the speaker is compatible with most standards, including AirPlay. Supported files range from MP3s to hi-res WAV, FLAC, and AIFF tracks at 24-bit/192kHz (note that any Wi-Fi streaming will result in these tracks being downsampled to 24-bit/48kHz). Naim has done a fantastic job squeezing five drivers (two tweeters, two mid-range and a single subwoofer) into a speaker of this size. Combined, you get 300 watts of amplification. The bass has punch without overwhelming the soundscape, and sound separation is impressive.

You’ll get the best results if you hardwire your music directly via a USB cable, but the trade-off between portability and sound quality using AirPlay or AptX Bluetooth is fine. Streaming over standard Bluetooth is also supported, but the audio takes a noticeable hit.

You can tweak the Qb’s sound using an app; for the most part, the speaker’s built-in controls are aesthetic, since you’re going to mostly be controlling the Qb with your phone.

the bottom line. The Mu-So Qb has a lot to like about it: it sounds fantastic, and its design means it fits well into a modern living space. But at a thousand bucks, this is one expensive piece of gear.