If space is a limiting factor in your search for home audio nirvana, then a premium all-in-one hi-fi system could be the solution. The very best can not only play tunes from your favourite music streaming services but they can also connect to your TV via HDMI and boost your flatscreen’s sound at the same time.
Take the superb Naim Mu-so 2nd generation wireless speaker system as a prime example. It is available for just £899 at John Lewis, Peter Tyson and Sevenoaks which marks a saving of more than 20 per cent.
We originally tested the five-star Naim Mu-so 2 in at £1299, but it dropped to £1149 early last year and hit £899 during the Black Friday sales – and the fact it seems to have settled at this price gives you a great opportunity to save big.
Remaining just as cutting-edge with streaming smarts (and its gorgeous looks) today as it was during its launch, the Mu-so 2 offers wireless streaming via a variety of methods (AirPlay 2, Tidal Connect and Bluetooth), physical connectivity (including HDMI ARC and 3.5mm), six custom-made drivers and a huge 450W of total power.
In our Mu-so 2 review, we gave it five stars across the board for sound, features, and build. In particular, we noted its comprehensive feature list, great all-in-one design, and its rich, rhythmic, insightful sound.
The Naim Mu-so 2 allows you to stream hi-res audio via UPnP (Universal Plug and Play) and access all of your favourite music through AirPlay 2, Tidal Connect, Spotify Connect, Bluetooth and built-in Chromecast. It’s now Roon Ready, too.
Alongside this, there are USB, optical, and 3.5 mm inputs offering flexibility when it comes to connecting sources such as a CD player. An HDMI ARC socket was also added to this model, allowing users to connect their TV set to pass through high-quality Blu-ray formats. This means you can use the Mu-so 2 both as a great hi-fi streaming system and as a soundbar alternative to boost movie soundtracks.
The Naim app is updated and slick to use, you can create multi-room systems with other compatible Naim networked products, and we still adore using that stunning, illuminated touch-sensitive dial for changing volume, sources and playback.
Sonically, it remains a punchy, powerful, attention-grabbing beast. The bass performance is hefty and controlled, it can go very loud and fill a large room with dynamic sound and there’s rhythmic agility. The Mu-so 2 is still a big, fun performer that we have no problem recommending. We’ve tested many more all-in-one systems and versatile wireless speakers since then – the five-star Ruark R410, Sonos Era 300 and Sonus Faber Omnia for instance – but the Mu-so 2 still sounds fantastic and remains a firm recommendation.
And with this significant price reduction in place, this superb £899 deal on an equally superb premium system isn’t one you should ignore.
MORE:
Read our full Naim Mu-so 2 review
Ruark Audio R410 vs Naim Mu-so 2: which all-in-one music system is better?
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