Naim Mu-so 2 Wireless Speaker Review

A feature-packed and super-sounding best wireless speaker.

REQUIREMENTS

Measurements: HxWxD (centimeters): 12.2 x 62.8 x 26.4|Power: 450W|Attributes: Bluetooth V4.0, multi-room, wi-fi, UPnP, Spotify, AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Tidal|Links: 3.5 mm stereo, optical, Ethernet, HDMI ARC

Factors for getting

Thrilling information and characteristics

Persuading bass

Tons of wireless as well as streaming features

Factors to Stay clear of

That cost

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Such is the breadth of choice when it involves cordless best blutooth speaker, you can invest under ₤ 100 or more than ₤ 1000. Take the Naim Mu-so-2: its comprehensive feature set includes various wireless streaming modern technolog

ies such as AirPlay 2 and also Chromecast. Tidal, as well as Spotify, are likewise sustained, as is high-res sound to the tune of 24-bit/88kHz. It's not just about streaming, though, with an HDMI ARC input permitting you to attach a TELEVISION and also improve its noise at the same time.

The Naim appears like a costs cordless speaker and it seems like one also, with rich, confident audio, packed loaded with information and also provided with the tremendous balanced drive. Bass abounds as well as of premium quality. If your budget allows, you'll be accordingly pleased.

OUR DECISION

A superb-sounding, fully-featured cordless audio speaker that validates its considerable expenditure.

FOR

- Extensive feature list

- Cool all-in-one layout

- Rich, balanced, informative sound

- Reasonable application

AGAINST

- Prices much more than the last generation design

- Resist 2, Once in Mexico and Star Wars: The Force Awakens is all instances of exactly how a follow up can work by simply repackaging an effective dish. The all-new Naim Mu-so second Generation (or Mu-so 2) is a comparable situation of a story twice-told.

- Placed it side-by-side with the initial Mu-so as well as the two near-identical aluminum boxes might lead you to initially dismiss this as a soft upgrade. To judge the Mu-so 2 by its cover would certainly be to threaten the development it brings to the Mu-so line. According to Naim, 95 percent of the Mu-so 2 is brand-new: drive devices, electronic signal cupboard, processing as well as connectivity.

- 5 years back, the Mu-so got here to a chorus of praise. Such was the one-of-a-kind one-box offering of wireless network multi-room streaming, physical connection, amplification as well as speakers, we weren't sure what to call it. An all-in-one hi-fi system? A streaming system? A wireless speaker?

- Ever since there have been numerous similar items, yet the Mu-so has actually kept its relevance. As competitors expand and brand-new streaming systems (such as AirPlay 2) arrive, an upgrade does seem prompt-- even if Naim has actually strongly priced the Muso 2 at ₤ 400 greater than the original.

Features

Naim has actually normally brought its new thorough streaming platform-- the defeating heart of the brand's most recent banners as well as systems, such as the ND5 XS 2 as well as Uniti Atom-- into the Mu-so 2. This provides it UPnP streaming of hi-res songs as much as PCM 32-bit/384kHz, direct streaming from Spotify Connect and Tidal, Apple AirPlay 2, internet radio and also Google Chromecast, which brings Deezer, Qobuz and Google Play Songs to the table. Naim declares to have actually boosted the wi-fi stability, although a wired ethernet link is still an excellent alternative.

Similar to the initial Mu-so, offline streaming is provided for Bluetooth, while USB, optical and also 3.5 mm inputs supply the capability to link one more source, such as a CD transport, CD player or television. On the latter, Naim has also chosen to include an HDMI ARC socket so you can hook the Mu-so 2 as much as your telly or AV receiver to pass-through premium Blu-ray layouts, such as Dolby TrueHD, and also utilize a single remote to control all linked elements.

Control originates from the current version of the neatly-designed Naim app (iPhone as well as Android). The residence display uses a straightforward input option and preset gain access to, the display screen of our web server's collection features the cd art and is very easy to browse through. Tidal is nicely integrated as well, and the whole experience is receptive to the One And also 7 Pro smartphone (Android) as well as Apple iPad (iPhone).

The application is likewise your go-to for multi-room pairing and also control. The backward-compatible Mu-so 2 can be coupled with various other Mu-so 2, Mu-so and also Mu-so Qb audio speakers, or other compatible Naim products, utilizing the latest streaming platform in three means: through AirPlay 2, Google Chromecast or Naim's very own software.

The initial 2 are accessible on the Apple tool software application and also either through a Chromecast-enabled app or Google Residence application. Streaming from your NAS drive in multi-room can be attained via the Naim application's 'currently playing' interface. Connect, separate as well as change volumes independently by pushing the bottom-right four-square symbol. You need to have the ability to pair to eight audio speakers if you have space.

A selection of setups permits you to do whatever from naming and upgrading your Mu-so to setting a sleep timer or alarm. You can customize the sound based upon where the Mu-so 2 is positioned-- select from 'Near Wall', 'Near Edge' or, when out in the open 'No Settlement'. Users of music gamer curation software application Roon can control the Roon-Ready Mu-so second Generation through Roon's own application.

The flat portable remote isn't as wonderful as the rounded wand supplied with the original Mu-so, yet it supplies an extra standard means of control if you want a break from your mobile phone or tablet display.

Develop

On-unit controls seldom include very in our reviews, but the Mu-so 2's off-center dial is worth more than a passing mention. An enhanced touch control panel, ringed by a silky-smooth lit up the dial, allows you to transform volume, button sources as well as pick pre-programmed songs to play.

Approximately five presets, such as albums, playlists or radio stations, can be established by means of the Naim app. Thanks to a proximity sensing unit, you can wake the display screen with your hand as well as brighten the icons ready for use.

While the Mu-so 2's fashionable visual heritage is noticeable, there are tell-tale indications of its individuality alongside the original. The aluminum framework sports a new burnished grey finish and the front wave-like grille, available in black, olive, peacock as well as terracotta (blue), is now made of brand-new nylon as well as polyester weaved material that Naim says enhances sound sensitivity by around 1db in the midrange.

Sound

To boost efficiency, Naim has fitted new chauffeurs-- optimized in collaboration with Focal as well as jointly driven by 450W of boosting-- and also advanced the capability of its electronic audio handling.

Each motorist has been reconsidered: the bass device has been given a longer voice coil and larger magnet to reduce distortion, while the midrange has a better-damped surround to improve its stage with the cone.

The new handling can 13 times as several guidelines as the original Mu-so, and all digitized analog inputs and all electronic inputs are upsampled or downsampled as essential to a 24-bit/88kHz result. Naim has taken note of digital timing also, extending the tasks of the system's Master Clock to the streaming card also, as holds true in Naim's premium ND555 banner.

Those enhancements combined have actually safeguarded a caliber of sound that's more next level than step-by-step. While there is the familiar richness, both in terms of tonality and also top quality, the Mu-so 2 walks all over its predecessor when it pertains to detail, characteristics and also rhythmic mastery.

NAIM Mu-so 2 TECH SPECS

Inputs Optical, HDMI, USB

File support 32bit/384kHz

Multi-room Yes

Control app Yes

Streaming Tidal, Spotify Attach, AirPlay 2, Chromecast

Power 450 watts

The Mu-so 2 effortlessly opens up The National's Hey Rosey, as well as everything because even roomier sound field-- the pitter-patter of piano, the cutting strings, the Gail Ann Dorsey enhancement-- is more clear and a lot more nuanced. The chorus's kaleidoscopic rhythm pattern sounds far more organized, as well.

The mild dynamic develop to Maribou State's Turnmills is a lot more apparent, there's even more euphoria to the lively tune, and also the entrancing vocal passes through the electronica with better presence.

To boost the bass, Naim has actually re-engineered the physical structure of the system to enhance the cupboard volume by 13 percent. As the track's drum loophole starts, it's clear that the bass has even more control as well as a sentence-- the drum maker pattern in Golden Sad's It Never Coincided noises more ominous as well as magnificent than it does with the Mu-so.

Musicality is still at the heart of the Mu-so 2's efficiency as a soundbar. There are weight, understanding, and sprightliness, and also as we tune into the FIFA Women's Globe Cup, the discourse is meaningful as well as clear.

You don't get the scale of audio you do from the best premium soundbars (such as the Dali Kubik One or Sony HT-ST5000), or the bass quantity of those with external speakers. There's no inquiry that the Naim does justice to soundtracks and discussion alike, supplying significant enhancements over TELEVISION speakers.

Judgment

We're surprised just how much sonic progression the Naim Mu-so 2 brings, however, these developments are necessary to justify the large rate rise over the initial.

At the time of creating, the initial generation Mu-so can be bought for several numerous extra pounds less, however, for the additional cost here, you obtain a better performance, extra sonic insight, better usability as well as the incorporation of an HDMI outlet.

And also, equally, as the most effective film sequels manage to add something to their franchise, the Mu-so 2nd Generation confirms a great enhancement and a deserving successor to the Mu-so range.

SCORES

- Noise 5

- Functions 5

- Build 5