Naim Mu-so (2nd Gen, 2019)

Lovely materials and build quality ; Deft sound, with real reserves of power ; Lots of functionality

Pricey ; Not much of an advance visually

Mu-so 2 is a bigger upgrade on the original Mu-so than it first appears

Open, detailed and expressive ; Loads of streaming options ; Multi-room ready

Nothing at this price

The Mu-so Qb retains an inherently likeable presentation but has matured over the years since its first generation.

Wonderful sound quality ; Pretty compact dimensions ; Top-tier streaming and file support ; Different colour options

No aptX Bluetooth ; Can't offer true stereo

The Naim Mu-so Qb (2nd Gen) not only knocks it out of the park, but right out of the state. Music is so detailed, so finely balanced, so perfectly timed – and comes out of something so compact, somehow. If you love music and need a flexible Wi-Fi...

All-inclusive feature list ; Neat all-in-one design ; Rich, rhythmic, insightful sound ; Agreeable app

Costs much more than the last generation model

A superb-sounding, fully-featured wireless speaker that justifies its considerable expense

Great sound ; Stable, easy to use app ; Supports all the streaming services 99% of people use

Sheer girth might pose positioning issues in some rooms

Beautiful industrial-esque design ; Updated Command Dial is great to use ; Sensational sound quality that's clean and prominent across the frequency range ; Now includes a remote control

Not massively different from original model ; Price hike over original ; Full-size Mu-so (first gen) might be worth paying a little extra to own ; Bass not sub-sonic levels and can't compare to full-size Mu-so

Far classier than the glut of current smart speakers, more audio adept than the Sonos line-up, the second-gen Qb might have a silly name, but its silly-good sound quality sells it. The deft Command Dial control and heaps of connectivity options form...

Immense sound output - with more bass and dynamic volume than first-gen model ; Supports to 32-bit 384kHz for audiophile quality ; Eye-catching and distinctive design ; Lots of connectivity (incl. Spotify Connect / Tidal / Google Cast / AirPlay 2) ;...

It's very expensive (far more than original model) ; No on-screen menu system for HDMI use ; Included remote control is basic ; Big and heavy so won't suit all ; Lacks sound presets for soundbar scenarios

Although pricey, we think the Mu-so 2 is worth every penny. The sound quality from this industrial box is second to none, although if you already own the original then the second-gen's addition of an HDMI port isn't a huge attraction. Really and truly...

Gorgeous design ; Great for compact spaces ; Slick, revamped interface ; Powerful, room-filling sound

Pricier than the (already steep) original Qb ; Additional speaker grilles cost extra

The best compact wireless speaker around just got better

Sounds the full 450 watts-worth ; Beautifully engineered, built and finished ; Decent control app ; Loads of functionality

Same-again design seems a missed opportunity ; Big price hike over Mu-so

Meet the new boss – not as similar to the old boss as it might look