Meta-review: Naim Muso Suite

Naim Audio is a British Hi-Fi manufacture. Naim Muso series has been praised arguably the best premium wireless speaker on several audiophile online review sites.

Naim Audio

The company was founded in 1973. Following merger with French loudspeaker manufacture Focal, it is currently owned by a French company.

Naim has introduced its first Multiroom wireless speaker, Naim Mu-so ‘all-in-one’ in 2014. This was followed by compact Mu-so Qb in 2016. In 2019, both Mu-so and Mu-so Qb second generation were introduced.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naim_Audio

Naim Mu-so suite

Unlike competitors, there are essentially only two products in Naim Mu-so line. Though one may consider the first generation products as more affordable options, and in which case four products.

The flagship speaker, Mu-so second V2 runs $1599.00 and compact Mu-so Qb V2 retails $899.00 (amazon).

With second generation release, first generation Mu-so ($879.00) and Mu-so Qb ($569.00) are now affordable budget friendly options as they can be linked with second generation Mu-so speakers for Multiroom audio. These were and still highly rated speakers.

Hardware

	Mu-so Qb v1	Mu-so V1	Mu-so Qb v2	Mu-so v2
Airplay 2	Y	Y	Y	Y
Chromecast built-in	N	N	Y	Y
Bluetooth	Y	Y	Y	Y
UPnP	Y	Y	Y	Y
USB	Y	Y	Y	Y
Digital Input	Y	Y	Y	Y
Analog Input (3.5mm jack)	Y	Y	Y	Y
HDMI	N	N	N	Y
Spotify Connect	Y	Y	Y	Y
Roon Ready		Tested	Y	Y

Second Generation Mu-so & Mu-so Qb

Second generation Mu-so speakers have the most robust connection options as individual speakers.

• Chromecast built-in
• Airplay 2
• Bluetooth
• Roon-Ready
• HDMI Arc (only for Mu-so)
• Digital/Analogue inputs
• UPnP (Universal Plug and Play)
• Remote Control

The most notable feature here is Chromecast built-in. Many companies have decided to support Airplay 2 on new products; however, Chromecast built in are uncommonly seen. For example, Sonos, HEOS, Bluesound nor B&W support Chromecast.

HDMI Arc

Mu-so line has no distinct soundbar device. Afterall, there are only two products. So Mu-so V2 can act as soundbar with HDMI connection. The noteworthy fact is this HDMI connection allows Dolby TrueHD unlike Sonos. Despite such design decision, Mu-so 2 is 2 channel system and no subwoofer or surround sound setup option to make 5.1 system.

Hi-Res

At target audience for these product are audiophiles, Hi-Res support is almost a default in 2020. Mu-so V2 products support up to 32-bit/384kHz; however, when played all songs will be upsampled or downsampled to 24-bit/88kHz.

Bluetooth

Other than the Sonos, bluetooth support are fairly common and standard for Wireless speakers. Naim Mu-so line support these, but these do not support Apt-X where 1st gen used ro. But Android users should be able to stream Hi-Res via Chrome-cast. Apple users have Airplay 2.

Bluetooth on the 2^nd Generation Mu-so doesn’t support aptX.

avforums.com Naim Mu-so 2nd Generation Review

Aesthetics

Aesthetics are subjective but no-one would argue Naim Mu-so Qb or Mu-so for not being premium appearing speakers.

Especially, Naim’s unique control wheel is highly praised.

The Naim control wheel is one of the finest interfaces in the whole of consumer electronics-world. For the Mu-so 2 it’s been given extra functionality (there are a total of 15 touch-sensitive controls, all awakened by a proximity sensor) and illumination around its edge

Trusted reviews Naim Mu-so 2 Review

Lack of product lines

The true audiophiles may already own or plan to own wired, Hi-fi primary stereo speaker system separately from Multiroom wireless speaker line. In such case, often other brand Multiroom speaker platform provide option/device allowing these setup to join the proprietary network like Sonos Port/Amp, Bluesound Node/Powernode 2i, B&W Formation Audio or Heos Link. However, Naim Mu-so line has no such option.

Also, Naim Mu-so line has no Bass unit nor cheaper speaker options.

Software

Multiroom audio

Mu-So lines may synch up to 5 speakers playing a same music.

App

The Naim app will also tie multiple devices as well if you wish. One of the nicest elements of the control point is that the Tidal integration really is integrated. If you look at an artist, the albums you have on your NAS will show on one line with the others available via Tidal showing just below. 

avforums.com Naim Mu-so 2nd Generation Review

It sounds like Sonos multi-source search function. Hope they extend(ed) this to include other stream services Naim supports.

Having said this, multiroom wireless Speaker mobile app ratings are generally poor across the board except Sonos. Naim is not an exception here with 2.4/5 based on 1362 reviews on Google store and 1.9/5 based on 51 rating on Apple App Store. Primary complaints here sound due to App stability.

Roon Ready

Naim Mu-so second gen products are Roon Ready. So if one is having issue with iOS or Android app, Roon may be the way to go.

Lack of Platform Versatility

Since this is a platform review, the platform’s versatility, potential and expansibility is important factor.

Despite Multiroom support and one of the best in-unit input supports, couple major features are lacking in Naim Mu-so line. There is no stereo pair option as one in this category typically expect. Also, despite Mu-so 2 having HDMI port with Dolby True HD support, there is no bass unit nor option to link other Mu-so (especially Mu-so Qb) as surround sound speaker.

No stereo paring nor 5.1 home theater setup option.

These points overlap as a limitation to hardware but I am placing under software section because I believe group of multi-room speakers may be added feature in the future via software update. Having said this, I wouldn’t hold a hope as first generation Mu-so line were released over 5 years ago and yet Naim have not added these features.

Sound Quality

Mu-so Qb 2nd Generation

What HiFi ranks Mu-So Qb 2nd generation as the best wireless speaker of 2019.

Belying its box-like dimensions with a punchy bass alongside sparkling and rich tones across frequencies, the Mu-so Qb 2nd Generation scooped up our most recent 2019 What Hi-Fi? Award for the best home wireless speaker over £500.

What HiFi

Having said this, the award is not purely based on the sound quality.

if this is to be your one source of music in the house, we can think of few combinations of separates able to both better the sound and match or undercut the price. It has its innate limitations in terms of upgrades and stereo imaging, of course, but the Mu-so Qb 2nd Generation is not just another expensive wireless speaker.

What HiFi Naim Mu-so Qb 2nd Generation Review

However, as a single box wireless speaker, Naim Mu-so Qb 2 is nothing but of high praises. It currently sits impressive TechSpot Metascore of 97 based on 6 expert reviews.

Couple review sites put a comparative statement of Mu-so Qb 2 against B&W Wedge.

Perhaps its most obvious competition comes from Bowers & Wilkins’ Formation Wedge speaker. It looks like a berserk lampshade, true, and it doesn’t have anything like the design kudos of the Naim (especially where physical control is concerned). But it sounds, if anything, even wider and better focused than the Naim and is capable of similarly startling volume levels. 

Trusted Review Naim Mu-so Qb 2 Review

The Mu-so Qb 2nd Generation isn’t quite the no-brainer its predecessor was, in large part because of the other brands it inspired to turn out optimistically priced wireless speakers of their own – B&W, to name but one.

Techradar Naim Mu-so Qb (2019) review

These statement makes me believe top notch sound quality of Naim Mu-so Qb hold true but comparatively priced B&W formation Wedge may have an edge for pure sound quality.

The lowest score of 89, given by goodhousekeeping.com but this is the least helpful review amongst all with merely couple paragraphs for entire write up. The reason that they didn’t like were

The app isn’t that easy to use and doesn’t explain much when it comes to the initial setup 

It lacks some important features, like a voice assistant 

Dirty fingerprint marks are quite obvious on the touch controls

goodhousekeeping.com

Mu-so 2nd Generation

Techspot metascore is respectable 90 based on 9 reviews.

T3 gave Naim Mu-so 2nd Gen overall the best multi-room speaker.

Stuff gives 5/5 stars.

It has more rivals to face than the Mu-so ever did – but those B&W, Devialet and B&O alternatives (to name but three) only exist because of the new ground broken by Mu-so. And Mu-so 2 seems more than capable of maintaining its predecessor’s position at the front of the pack.

Stuff.tv Naim Mu-so 2 review

What Hifi ranks Mu-so 2nd generation #8 for the best wireless speaker of 2019. As this is a flagship model of Mu-so line, this is certainly better sounding system than Mu-so Qb 2nd generation but the ranking is not solely based on the sound quality.

The Naim looks like a premium wireless speaker and it sounds like one too, with a rich, confident sound, packed full of detail and delivered with immense rhythmic drive. Bass is plentiful and of a high quality. If your budget allows, you’ll be suitably impressed.

What HiFi

However, the sound quality is still challenged especially for its price.

In purely audio terms, downsides are few. Despite its considerable 63cm width, it doesn’t have the outright spaciousness to its presentation that’s ideal, and the stage can get a little cramped at volume. In every other respect, though, the Mu-so 2 makes good on its promise of improving on what was already an extremely competitive machine.

Trusted Reviews Naim Mu-so 2 Review

“so while you’ll get more bass clout from the Mu-so 2, there’s greater refinement, detail and clarity with the Wedge, which offers a more layered, hi-fi sound by comparison.”

What Hi*Fi Bowers & Wilkins Formation Wedge review

According to the What Hi*Fi B&W Formation Wedge ($899) has better sound clarity than Mu-so 2nd gen. Since Formation suite has Bass unit, if one feels Bass is inadequate on Wedge, one can technically add that for additional ($999) i.e. together units will be $200 more than Mu-so 2 though.

It is a common theme but Multiroom wireless speaker product line’s soundbar never seemed to be able to match up with premium, dedicated soundbars when comes to movie play. Mu-so 2 is no exception.

You don’t get the scale of sound you do from the best premium soundbars (such as the Dali Kubik One or Sony HT-ST5000), or the bass volume of those with external subwoofers. But there’s no question that the Naim does justice to soundtracks and dialogue alike, offering significant improvements over TV speakers.

What Hi*Fi? Naim Mu-so 2 review

Added to above, once again Mu-so line does not have 5.1 system building option.

Conclusion

Overall, Naim Mu-so lines are considered one of the best multi-room wireless speaker series. Its sound quality and individual hardware unit versatility are top in the class. The prices are undoubtedly expensive and premium but quality matches the price.

The main shortcoming of the Mu-so line from the whole home audio system platform point of view is lack of support for 5.1 home theater setup despite rare support of Dolby True HD on Mu-so 2. Also, there is lack of stereo pairing nor device to allow existing stereo or home theater system to join the Naim network.

Lastly, despite praised sound quality, several sites make a reference comparing to B&W Formation Wedge, which likely to have an edge over Mu-so products from pure sound quality point of view.