Focal Mu-So Hekla: an all-in-one Dolby Atmos system in line with Mu-So 2

In a complete surprise, the French hi-fi specialist Focal has just unveiled a new iteration of the Mu-So series of monobloc connected speakers. Called Focal Mu-So Hekla, this system claims to offer the advantages of previous Mu-Sos, while being specially designed to reproduce Dolby Atmos soundtracks.

The Mu-So and Mu-So 2respectively launched in 2014 and 2019, are stamped with the Naim brand, bought by Focal more than 10 years ago. If the British electronics company continues to exist alone, it would seem that Focal is taking up more and more space. As proof, she renamed one of the most identified products from her sister brand to her name. As on the latest ultra high-end speakers Diva Utopia and Mezza Utopia, the amplification and software part of the Focal Mu-So Hekla is supported by Naim.

Halfway between a powerful connected speaker and a soundbar

Too home cinema oriented to be a simple speaker, too deep to be considered as a soundbar easily positioned in front of a television, the Focal Mu-So Hekla identifies itself more as an all-in-one home cinema system. Its design is very close to that of the Naim Mu-So 2, with which it shares a rectangular chassis and a black anodized, brushed and sandblasted aluminum finish, as well as a large heat sink at the rear.

If the Mu-So Hekla is thinner than the Mu-So 2, it goes from 64 cm to 100 cm in length, and from 25 to 29 cm in depth. This more massive design allows it to accommodate 15 speakers and amplification developing a total power of 660 W. On the front, the Mu-So Hekla integrates two 2.5 cm tweeters, two 6 cm midrange speakers and three 13 x 6 cm woofers, one more compared to the Mu-So 2. The surround effects are taken care of by four full-range speakers placed on each side, and the Dolby Atmos effects by as many vertical wide bands, slightly oriented towards the listener. Mu-So Hekla then promises to do justice to both the soundtracks and the music.

Sphere spatialization system and personalization via the Focal & Naim app

Capable of reproducing three-dimensional soundtracks on 7.1.2 channels, the system provides several spatialization technologies that can be configured from the Focal & Naim app. It offers a Dolby Atmos mode and a new proprietary mode called Sphere, which uses a hybridization of “beamforming” and “crosstalk cancellation” technologies to make the most of the reflections on the walls of the room. Sphere requires ADAPT calibration to obtain optimal rendering. This is done by providing the dimensions of the room and information on the placement of the Mu-So Hekla within the app. Note that each mode is available in Music and Cinema versions, customizable via a three-band equalizer.

Via Focal & Naim, it is of course possible to deactivate all virtualization to restore a raw signal, to upmix any stereo content or even to finely adjust the level of each channel. The Mu-So Hekla accepts all Dolby and PCM formats, but does not support DTS signals.

A completely revised software platform

By integrating the new Naim Pulse Platform module, the Mu-So Hekla does not deny the network player DNA of the Mu-So 2. We therefore find a Wi-Fi 6 module compatible with the Google Cast, AirPlay 2, UPnP, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect and Qobuz Connect protocols. A Bluetooth 5.1 receiver is also available, unfortunately limited to AAC and SBC codecs. In terms of connectivity, we find the bare minimum for home cinema, namely an HDMI eARC port, an optical input, an Ethernet port and an RCA Sub output dedicated to connecting a subwoofer. No input for an analog audio source, nor HDMI input for a pass-through console.

Delivered without a remote control, the Focal Mu-So Hekla system is controlled exclusively via the Focal & Naim app or the round control interface borrowed from the Mu-So 2. Although slightly improved to suit the new functions of the Mu-So Hekla, this incorporates the same rotary volume control and tactile keys.

Unveiled globally on November 6, the Mu-So Hekla will initially be available in South Korea and China, then in the rest of the world in the first quarter of 2026. It will be priced at €3,300.

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