Focal Mu-so Hekla Review — The New King of One-Box Audio Systems?

Explore the Focal Mu-so Hekla, a cutting-edge one-box speaker system blending Dolby Atmos and Hi-Fi excellence for immersive sound.

Hey fellow audiophiles and home cinema buffs! Imagine a device that’s far more than just a soundbar—it’s a true audio marvel that combines the best of two legendary brands. That’s exactly what the Focal Mu-so Hekla is all about. When Cedric Bouton, the head of Focal, recalls René Magritte's surreal painting The Treachery of Images, you know this isn’t your ordinary “soundbar.” The Mu-so Hekla defies simple labels, packing Dolby Atmos support alongside a true Hi-Fi soul.

As I got hands-on with this beast before its release, it became crystal clear: this device is a multifaceted masterpiece. It’s a sonic reflection of the rich heritage and collaboration behind it—a true partnership between French acoustic powerhouse Focal and British electronics wizard Naim. These two legends joined forces in 2011, but it’s only now we see their first truly joint creation—a wireless, active system that’s every bit as stylish as it is sonically impressive. Think acoustic craftsmanship from Focal meets Naim’s electronic finesse, wrapped in a sleek package.

The Story Behind Naim and Mu-so

If you’ve been plugged into high-end audio for a while, you might already know the Mu-so name from Naim’s acclaimed wireless speakers launched back in 2014. These aren’t just any wireless speakers—they’re premium, award-winning units that blurred the line between casual streaming boxes and full-blown Hi-Fi systems. With the original Mu-so and its successor Mu-so 2 (2019), not to mention the compact Mu-so Qb 2nd gen, Naim carved out a niche for powerful, detailed, and dynamic sound paired with swanky design.

Now, the Mu-so Hekla widens the horizon, adding immersive Dolby Atmos and deeper home theater integration. Though a joint baby of Focal and Naim, the branding landed solely on Focal’s name, since the French brand has stronger recognition in the AV space, especially with Dolby Atmos speakers and subwoofers. Naim remains the specialist in pure Hi-Fi.

Pricing and Availability: A Luxury Investment

Focal Mu-so Hekla launched first in South Korea and China on November 6, 2025, with a global rollout slated for early 2026. You won’t find this beauty at just any electronics store—it’s sold exclusively through authorized Focal Powered By Naim retailers, alongside the Diva Utopia and Diva Utopia Mezza speakers.

But luxury comes at a price: the Hekla retails for a hefty $3,600. That puts it above competing all-in-one music systems from Ruark and Cambridge Audio, and even premium Dolby Atmos soundbars from brands like KEF and Yamaha. Just like the Diva Utopia, Focal clearly positions Hekla as a high-end prestige product, aiming at discerning buyers in emerging markets beyond Europe.

Design and Build: Size Meets Sophistication

This isn’t a petite soundbar you casually tuck under your TV. The Mu-so Hekla is a heavyweight contender, packing 15 drivers inside a one-meter-long aluminum chassis weighing 15.5 kilos. Dimensions: 39.4" wide, 11.6" deep, and 4.6" tall—meaning it demands a solid piece of furniture to support it.

It’s designed to replace bulky multi-speaker setups, delivering a full cinematic surround experience with Dolby Atmos 7.1.2 channels and HDMI eARC connectivity, all in a relatively compact footprint for what it offers.

The all-in-one concept is gaining momentum in Hi-Fi circles, with rivals like the Ruark Audio R410 and Cambridge Audio Evo One blending amps, multi-driver arrays, high-res streaming, and even phono stages into single boxes.

While the Mu-so 2 was often used as a soundbar thanks to its HDMI ARC input, it remained primarily a stereo music system. Hekla takes it further with true Atmos multi-channel support and a more cinema-centric soundstage.

KEF’s XIO soundbar may be a close competitor, blending Dolby Atmos and hi-res streaming, but Hekla’s sheer power and feature set certainly raises the bar.

Acoustic Design: More Than Meets the Eye

Inside the Hekla you’ll find:

• 7 front-facing drivers: 3 woofers, 2 midrange, 2 tweeters
• 2 wideband drivers on each side
• 4 upward-firing drivers on top for Atmos height channels

Every single driver has its dedicated Class D amplifier, delivering a combined 660 watts of power. The front woofers each boast 60 watts, while the other 12 drivers get 40 watts each. That’s some serious sonic muscle.

Naim’s team crafted all the electronics, streaming tech, and amplification. Steve Sells—who engineered the original Mu-so and the flagship Naim Statement amp—played a key role in this collaboration.

The look nods to the Mu-so legacy with a familiar illuminated dial on top and a “Mu-so-esque” central panel. Constructed from premium aluminum (the same used in Naim’s flagship models), the design is updated with sleek metal grills on the sides and a more minimal front grille compared to the older Mu-so’s curved aesthetic.

Hekla is offered exclusively in matte black, a deliberate choice to blend subtly into dim rooms. LED lighting around the dial can be switched off for full immersion.

Attention to detail shines through—from the sandblasted aluminum finish to the tactile, precise volume knob—everything screams luxury. For a system costing what it does, it truly looks and feels the part.

Features: Streaming and Connectivity

Being a modern streamer, the Mu-so Hekla supports all the big streaming services with high-resolution audio: Tidal, Qobuz, Spotify (plus their Connect versions), AirPlay 2, Google Cast, and Bluetooth (AAC and SBC). It also supports UPnP streaming, meaning you can play your stored files from network-attached drives.

Audio formats handled include PCM and DSD128 up to 32-bit/384kHz. Plus, it integrates seamlessly into a multi-room setup with other Focal and Naim compatible streamers using the shared Focal & Naim app.

Physical inputs are kept simple:

• HDMI eARC (the key connection for TV and Atmos)
• Optical input
• Wired Ethernet port
• Stereo RCA outputs to connect a subwoofer

Unlike some all-in-one rivals, it skips a phono stage—no built-in vinyl support here. The focus remains firmly on digital streaming and amplification.

Adaptive Sound and Immersive Modes

Hekla has two immersive sound modes:

• Dolby mode: Optimized for a single listening position, using mostly front speakers. Best for untreated rooms.
• Sphere mode: Developed by Focal and Naim, this uses beamforming to bounce sound off walls and ceiling, creating balanced audio sweet spots for up to five listeners. Ideal for acoustically treated rooms.

Focal’s ADAPT (Adaptive Acoustic Personal Tuning) technology lets you calibrate Hekla to your room’s unique shape and materials, ensuring the best sound possible. All adjustments happen via the smartphone app, giving you easy control over modes, volume, and multi-room settings.

Additional presets include cinema, music, and night mode, tailoring dynamics and EQ to your preference.

Sound Performance: Power and Precision

During a demo in Focal’s anechoic chamber, we sampled a mix of Dolby Atmos clips and high-res tunes. From the opening moments of the test disc’s "Amaze" and "Leaf," the Hekla projected a huge, enveloping soundscape. The swirling autumn leaves and whispering winds felt convincingly three-dimensional—the height channels painting a spacious sonic sky.

Explosions from the war drama Unbroken were strikingly clear and visceral, the impact of each shot palpable. It’s a system that lays it on thick when needed, with no shy footsteps.

Music tracks like Boris Blank’s ambient-electronic Time Bridges showcased robust bass and a wide, deep soundstage. The delicate trumpet textures in Till Brönner and Dieter Ilg’s A Thousand Kisses Deep came through with remarkable clarity and warmth.

Jeff Castellucci’s hauntingly deep vocals in The Sound of Silence demonstrated Hekla’s ability to render low frequencies with a sense of not just hearing but feeling the sound.

Even traditional stereo tracks like Henry Mancini’s Lujon were enhanced by Hekla’s spatial processing, creating a more “immersive” feel reminiscent of spatial audio effects from Apple Music, though purists might prefer the original stereo mix’s cohesiveness.

Quieter nature scenes featuring a jay, squirrel, and deer revealed the system’s finesse—the subtle rustling of leaves and animal noises came through detailed and nuanced, proving Hekla isn’t just about brute force.

Of course, a brief demo in such a controlled environment leaves some questions unanswered about the system’s performance with varied music and movies in a home setting. Those explorations will be fascinating when we get a review unit.

Early Takeaway: A Versatile Audio Powerhouse

Is the Mu-so Hekla a wireless Mu-so system upgraded with Dolby Atmos? A soundbar that doubles as a high-res streamer? Or the ultimate all-in-one solution for anyone craving top-tier sound without juggling multiple devices? The answer might be yes to all.

For those with limited space but a healthy budget, Hekla could very well be the only audio component you’ll ever need. It’s an elegant, powerful, and feature-packed system that appeals to modern users who want top-notch sound without the complexity of separates.

Reflecting on the original Naim Mu-so’s launch, it was hard to classify: “Was it a Hi-Fi all-in-one? A streaming system? A wireless speaker?” But its execution was so good, none of that mattered much—we just enjoyed the music and recommended it wholeheartedly.

We’re hopeful the Mu-so Hekla will inspire the same enthusiasm. It’s a bold step forward, and one we can’t wait to explore deeper.

"We—Focal and Naim—always put sound first."

— Focal representative

FAQ

• What makes Mu-so Hekla different from other soundbars?
  It combines true Hi-Fi sound with Dolby Atmos support and multi-driver architecture, offering a genuine immersive experience rather than just a standard soundbar.
• Can I use Mu-so Hekla with my existing Mu-so 2 system?
  Yes, the Hekla can connect with other Focal and Naim streamers, including Mu-so 2, for multi-room audio setups using the Focal & Naim app.
• Does it support vinyl playback?
  No, the Mu-so Hekla does not have a built-in phono stage and focuses on digital high-res streaming.
• What streaming services are supported?
  It supports Tidal, Qobuz, Spotify, AirPlay 2, Google Cast, Bluetooth, and UPnP streaming for local files.
• Is the Mu-so Hekla suitable for rooms without acoustic treatment?
  Yes, it offers different sound modes like Dolby mode optimized for untreated rooms, ensuring good audio performance in various environments.

Love the vibe of the Focal Mu-so Hekla? Elevate your space with our exclusive collection of iconic album cover posters — a perfect complement to your luxury audio setup. Shop your favorite album art here.