Focal’s Fiery New Mu-so Hekla Promises an Eruption of Dolby Atmos Sound and Design Drama

The French audio icon joins forces with Naim to create a 660-watt all-in-one system that’s equal parts style, power, and cinematic ambition.

When Volcanoes Meet Hi-Fi

Focal has just unveiled a system that might well shake the foundations of the all-in-one audio market — quite literally. The new Focal Mu-so Hekla, named after one of Iceland’s most active volcanoes, fuses the sonic precision of Focal with the engineering mastery of its sister company, Naim Audio, in a collaboration that looks set to redefine what a wireless system can do.

If the name “Mu-so” sounds familiar, it should. The award-winning Naim Mu-so 2 and Mu-so Qb (2nd Gen) are widely celebrated as some of the most refined wireless speakers of the past decade. But this time, Focal takes the lead, placing its own badge front and center — a symbolic shift that signals a broader ambition: to bridge the worlds of music and cinema in one sculptural, all-encompassing design.

A Fusion of Two Legends

This isn’t just a new product — it’s a statement of intent from the unified Focal-Naim group, which has been developing shared innovations since their 2011 merger.

The Mu-so Hekla brings together Focal’s acoustic heritage and Naim’s electronic expertise, following in the footsteps of the Focal Diva Utopia, their first joint project. Together, they’ve built a machine that aims to replace bulky multi-speaker setups while maintaining audiophile-grade clarity and power.

And the numbers don’t lie: 660 watts of Class D amplification, feeding a custom array of drivers designed to flood your room with rich, three-dimensional sound.

Music, Movies, and Everything in Between

Unlike the earlier Mu-so systems, which leaned toward pure hi-fi performance, the Hekla is also built for immersive home cinema. Thanks to Dolby Atmos processing, it can upmix stereo or multichannel sources to a 7.1.2 configuration, creating enveloping height and spatial effects that make sound seem to hover in mid-air.

With HDMI eARC and optical digital inputs, the Hekla doubles as a premium soundbar — though calling it a soundbar might undersell it. At a full meter wide and 15.5 kilograms, this is a serious slab of audio hardware that brings cinematic power and musical finesse into one sculpted form.

Hi-Res Ready and Streaming Savvy

For streaming and connectivity, Focal and Naim have covered every base. The Hekla supports:

• AirPlay 2, Google Cast, and Bluetooth for wireless streaming

• Tidal Connect, Spotify Connect, and Qobuz Connect

• Hi-Res playback up to 32-bit/384kHz PCM and DSD

  
  

That means you can go from lossless studio masters to Dolby Atmos movie soundtracks without missing a beat.

And if you’re particular about your acoustics, Focal’s Adapt room calibration technology — first seen in the Diva Utopia — automatically fine-tunes the Hekla’s output based on your room size, layout, and reflections, giving you balanced sound wherever it’s placed.

Control, Connectivity, and Multi-Room Magic

Control options are as versatile as the system itself. You can use the Focal & Naim app, voice commands, or even your Apple or Samsung smartwatch. There’s also a Party Mode for synchronizing multiple Focal/Naim devices — including the Mu-so 2 — in a seamless multi-room setup.

Every element of the Hekla screams precision engineering: from the anodised aluminium chassis and illuminated control dial to the heatsink fins that echo the industrial artistry of Naim’s amplifiers. It’s a piece of design that feels more sculpture than speaker, meant to be seen as much as heard.

Price, Availability, and Verdict

The Focal Mu-so Hekla launches first in South Korea and China, with global availability in early 2026. Pricing lands at £3000 / $3600 / €3300 — placing it firmly in the luxury category alongside high-end competitors like KEF’s XIO soundbar and Ruark’s R410 system, though it promises far more versatility and scale than either.

At that price, Focal isn’t chasing Sonos buyers — it’s aiming for the discerning listener who wants the emotional immediacy of a live performance and the enveloping realism of Dolby Atmos cinema, all from one beautifully unified box.

A Controlled Eruption

With its volcanic namesake, audiophile-grade specs, and sculptural presence, the Mu-so Hekla represents more than just another wireless speaker — it’s a symbol of Focal and Naim’s growing power as a creative force in modern hi-fi.

Expect eruptive sound, refined control, and a design that commands attention. If the early impressions are anything to go by, the Hekla might just set a new benchmark for all-in-one hi-fi systems.