Focal Mu-so Hekla: The All-in-One Dolby Atmos Audio System by Focal and Naim

Most all-in-one systems try to compensate for a limited driver count with digital processing. The Mu-so Hekla was approached differently: put the acoustic resources in place to make the result genuinely convincing, whether for watching a Dolby Atmos film or listening to a hi-res album.

The Mu-so Hekla is the result of a collaboration between Focal, a hi-fi loudspeaker manufacturer founded in Saint-Étienne, France, and its sister company Naim Audio, known for its audiophile source and amplification electronics. The acoustics and mechanics come from Focal, while the processing and amplification electronics were entirely engineered by Naim. Steve Sells, the engineer behind the original Naim Mu-so lineup and the flagship Naim Statement amplifier, was directly involved in this product's development.

Its name is inspired by Hekla, one of Iceland's most active volcanoes. A choice that reflects the ambition of the device; contained power, precise and explosive when the content demands it.

A Focal and Naim Co-Design

The Mu-so lineup has been part of Naim Audio's wireless speaker range since 2014, with the Mu-so 2 and Mu-so Qb earning top scores and awards from the international specialist press. The Hekla builds on that foundation, and represents the second full product co-design between Focal and Naim (the first being the Focal Diva Utopia active stereo speaker system, launched in 2024).

In this joint development effort, each team's role was clear. Focal contributed its acoustic and mechanical expertise accumulated over decades of hi-fi loudspeaker design, while Naim brought its mastery of electronics, networking and amplification. Worth noting that the two brands have shared the same parent group since 2011, which facilitates technical integration between the two teams. It's easy to imagine we'll see more of these collaborations in the years ahead.

Acoustic Architecture: 15 Individually Amplified Drivers

The Mu-so Hekla groups 15 drivers in an enclosure 100 cm (~40 inches) long, spread across three axes of diffusion. At the front: three woofers, two midrange drivers and two tweeters. On each side of the unit: two full-range drivers, for a total of four. On top, four additional upward-firing drivers handle Dolby Atmos height effects.

Each of these drivers is powered by its own Class D amplifier. Declared total power is 660 W; 60 W per forward-facing driver and 40 W for each of the twelve satellite drivers. This individual amplification allows independent control of levels, delays and beam-shaping for each channel, which is one of the factors behind the spatial precision of the sound.

These choices naturally had consequences on the form factor. The Mu-so Hekla measures 12 × 100 × 30 cm, or approximately 4.75 × 40 × 12 inches (height × width × depth), and weighs 15.5 kg, or just over 34 lbs. The dimensions are significant for a device in this category; a direct result of the acoustic requirements. The engineering team designed the enclosure around the optimal placement of each driver, refusing to compromise it in favour of a more compact format. Focal confirmed this at the official product launch:

ADAPT Calibration and Listening Modes

The Mu-so Hekla integrates Focal's ADAPT calibration technology, for "Adaptative Acoustic Personal Tuning." The user enters their room dimensions in the Focal & Naim app — length, width, distances to walls — and the system automatically adjusts its frequency response to account for the geometry and reflective surfaces of the space. Enabling ADAPT widens the perceived soundstage and improves coherence in acoustically challenging configurations.

Four listening modes are also available, selectable through the same app:

Dolby Movie mode: optimized playback for cinema content in Dolby Atmos. Maximum spatial precision, faithful placement of sound effects, controlled bass.

Dolby Music mode: a variant tuned for music listening in the Dolby format. Balanced presentation with good definition across the full spectrum.

Sphere Movie mode: an immersive beamforming mode for films. The soundfield is wider and more enveloping, with more generous bass. Slightly less spatially precise than Dolby Movie, but more spectacular in large rooms.

Sphere Music mode: the same expanded approach applied to music listening. Particularly suited to genres that benefit from a wide soundstage.

A Night Mode reduces dynamics and bass output for low-volume listening without disturbing the surrounding environment.

Connectivity and Network Compatibility

On the wired side, the Mu-so Hekla offers an HDMI input with eARC support for lossless transmission of Dolby Atmos and DTS:X from the TV, an optical input and an RJ45 Ethernet port. Two RCA outputs allow the addition of an external active subwoofer.

Wirelessly: dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth (AAC and SBC codecs), AirPlay 2 and Chromecast. Tidal, Spotify and Qobuz Connect protocols are built in, along with Amazon Music and UPnP for playback from a NAS server or network drive. Voice control is handled by Siri and Google Home.

Hi-res support covers PCM files up to 32-bit/384 kHz and DSD files up to DSD128. The Mu-so Hekla is compatible with other Focal and Naim streaming products using the same platform, enabling a synchronized multi-room setup.

The unit has no analogue input and no built-in phono stage.

Specifications

Design and Controls

At launch, the Mu-so Hekla is available in black only; a deliberate choice to allow the unit to blend into your environment.

On top, an illuminated white ring carries over the design language established by the Naim Mu-so range. Rotation adjusts volume; pressing the touch surface selects source or puts the unit in standby. The interface is intentionally minimal; the majority of control passes through the Focal & Naim app, which provides access to source selection, EQ, listening modes, ADAPT calibration and multi-room configuration.

What the Specialist Press Says

What Hi-Fi? published a full review of the Focal Mu-so Hekla in June 2026 and awarded it a perfect 5/5 across all three criteria evaluated: sound, features and design. Their verdict:

On Dolby Atmos film content, the review notes a spacious and precise soundfield, generous but controlled bass, and dynamics that What Hi-Fi? ranks among the best heard from an all-in-one system. On music, the reviewers highlight the unit's ability to handle delicate passages and powerful crescendos with equal ease. What Hi-Fi? also compared the Mu-so Hekla to the KEF XIO, which had received a What Hi-Fi? Award the previous year, and concludes that the Hekla justifies its higher price through better definition, wider dynamics and a more complete sonic finish.

Frequently Asked Questions