Best Multi-Room Speakers 2024 - What Hi-Fi?
The Premium Compact Wireless Speaker Your Music Deserves
Mu-so Qb 2nd Generation is the latest member of the award-winning Mu-so wireless music system family. Re-engineered from the ground up, it is Naim's best compact wireless music system yet. Combining 46 years of hi-fi expertise with the very latest technology. Extensive software and hardware upgrades deliver a significant performance boost over the original Mu-so Qb (launched in 2016), while the design evolves to match the Mu-so 2nd Generation styling.
Just like the acclaimed Mu-so 2nd Generation introduced in May 2019, the new Mu-so Qb features Naim's unique music-streaming platform, developed by twenty-five engineers over three years to offer the very best performance whether playing your own digital music collection, a world of Internet radio, or music streaming services such as TIDAL and Spotify. This acclaimed innovation is only found in Naim music-streaming products, including its Uniti range and dedicated network players, all the way up to the company's flagship ND 555.
"Truly Phenomenal"
"The previous iteration was great, earning five stars when it was first reviewed. This version, however, is truly phenomenal," reports What Hi-Fi?, which honored the Naim Audio Mu-So Qb G2 by naming it one of the Best Multi-Room Speakers 2024.
"This is peak Naim, so the sound is exactly as rich and pleasing as you'd expect. The tweaks might not have been extensive, but they make a noticeable difference when you fire your Mu-so Qb up and really let it loose. Treble response is lively and open, with a satisfyingly meaty bass delivered with punch, precision and panache. The second generation also improves markedly on its predecessor’s timing and dynamic range, thriving when delivering snappy rhythmic patterns and sparky numbers."
New 2nd Generation Illuminated Volume Dial
Mu-so Qb gains the new 2nd Generation illuminated volume dial, complete with a full control array and a proximity sensor that lights up in welcome as your hand approaches it. You will be able to easily access key playback controls, your favorite playlists and radio stations, Spotify resume, multiroom functionality and more from this tactile new interface. Mu-so Qb 2nd Generation can also be controlled via the updated Naim app and – by popular customer demand – a new wireless remote control.
300 Watts of Music Power
Mu-so Qb 2nd Generation's compact dimensions pack in 300 Watts of music power, served up to all-new speaker drivers – optimised in conjunction with Focal, the acoustic specialist celebrating its 40th anniversary, and Naim's VerVent Audio associate. Like the bigger Mu-so 2nd Generation, the Qb now has an upgraded 'brain', too: a DSP with more than 10 times extra processing power for even greater musical accuracy.
So Many Ways to Stream
Stream your music in high-resolution quality (Qb can handle files up to 32-bit / 384 kHz) via UPnP, or browse millions of songs through AirPlay 2 (including Apple Music), Spotify Connect, TIDAL, Chromecast built-in, and Internet radio. Upgraded Wi-Fi connectivity promises a slicker streaming experience, while Ethernet remains an option if you prefer things hard-wired. You can also connect devices wirelessly via Bluetooth.
Mu-so Qb 2nd Generation's USB input, meanwhile, supports music playback from USB drives, while its optical input means you can easily connect your TV and experience enhanced sound quality from your favorite television programs, films, and games.
Multiroom Made Easy
Powerful enough to fill most rooms, Mu-so Qb 2nd Generation has a relatively compact size that also makes it a superb option for spaces such as kitchens and bedrooms, where it may be harder to accommodate the bigger Mu-so system. A few simple taps of the Naim app and it can easily join a multiroom set-up with its larger sibling – or other Naim networked products, including 1st Generation Mu-so and Mu-so Qb. For convenience, you can also multiroom Mu-so Qb 2nd Generation with other AirPlay 2-compatible wireless speakers via the Apple Home app – or with other Chromecast devices via groups controlled by the Google Home app.
Available for iOS and Android devices, the updated Naim app allows you to browse by artist, genre, album and more, complete with artwork and extended music information. You can also control volume, light settings, room modes and create playlists. As a further option, Mu-so Qb 2nd Generation is Roon Ready, too.
Updated Speaker Grille Design
Available in the same burnished grey aluminum chassis and with the same upgraded speaker grille design as its Mu-so big brother, Mu-so Qb 2nd Generation is the perfect visual as well as sonic match. It can also be customized with optional replacement grilles in the same Olive, Terracotta, or Peacock colors. (Optional grilles are sold separately.)
