Image rights: Naim.Oh boy, is this speaker good! The design
appears nearly identical to the previous
model, but there are changes in the color
of the metal, the design of the over–sized
volume/control knob and the remote
control. The big dial now boasts 15
touch-sensitive buttons and a proximity
sensor that wakes it as you approach.
Placement is made easy with the Room
Compensation settings, where algorithms
compensate for placement in corners or
near walls to make sure the sound’s right.
An HDMI ARC input has been added so
it can happily double as a stereo soundbar
- and the bass response improved. It
can’t compete with KEF’s LSX or Bowers
& Wilkins’ Formation Duo for stereo
separation, but you may not miss it.
Another beauty of this is that it sucks
every bit of detail out of Spotify streams
and old AAC and MP3 rips, and does well
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FLAC, WAV and DSD formats.
Multi–room is possible via Apple
AirPlay 2 or Google Chromecast on iOS
and Android devices, or Naim’s own
system via the app, remote or on–body
controls. Tidal is built in, although
the MQA Tidal Master part isn’t fully
supported, while Spotify Connect is here
too. UPnP support allows streaming from
PC, Mac and NAS in resolution up to
32bit/384kHz. And there’s Bluetooth.
Where Naim has long stood out is that
it constantly updates its app and includes
streaming services in convenient ways.
Naim says it should be able to support any
service or streaming system to launch in
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THE BOTTOM LINE. Awesome sound and
a reliable, versatile software platform.
Worth every penny. DUNCAN BELLNaim Mu–so second generation
Multi–room speakers reach the next level
About $1,599 From Naim, naimaudio.com
Features HDMI ARC in with CEC Streaming, Apple AirPlay 2, Chromecast Built–in, UPnPTM,
Spotify Connect, TIDAL, Roon Ready, Bluetooth, Internet Radio Analogue input, 3.5mm jack,
Bluetooth, ethernet, Audio formats WAV, FLAC, AIFF, MP3, AAC, OGG, DSD
NAIM MU–SO
SECOND
GENERATION
Fantastic sound
Stable, easy–to–use app
Supports all the
streaming services
99% of people use
Sheer girth might pose
positioning issues in
some rooms
AWESOMEThe addition of an HDMI
port means this could
even be your soundbar.Tough testing, trusted ratings
maclife.com SEP 2019 47