By Oliver A. Masciarotte and Kent Peterson
In this article, published by audioXpress in December 2017, Oliver Masciarotte explores the Naim Mu-so Qb Wireless Music System, with its stunning design, glass-filled polymer casing, and the same clever digital brain as the original Mu-so. Kent Peterson (Warkwyn) puts the Mu-so Qb to the test confirming that the device sounds as good as it looks.
Founded in 1973, Naim Audio is a hi-fi manufacturer based in Wiltshire, UK. With a history rooted in engineering and design excellence, Naim’s first wireless music system, introduced in 2014, has won multiple awards for its ground-breaking design. Its compact “little sister,” the Mu-so Qb, followed suit with its stunning design, glass-filled polymer casing, the same
clever digital brain as the original Mu-so, 300 W of power, and bass radiators that help generate a beautiful sound.
The review was no small challenge. We really wanted to measure the Mu-so Qb objectively and confirm all the very positive subjective impressions, to find out if this was indeed a model for what complete wireless integrated audio systems can do.
"With its thrillingly hi-fi sound, broad coverage, wide variety of input choices, rock-solid construction and understated good looks, Qb is an exceptional product aimed at those of us for whom quality audio is fundamental to our everyday lives," wrote Masciarotte.
Kent Peterson measured the Naim Mu-so Qb at Warkwyn’s facility using the Klippel Near Field Scanning (NFS) system delivering a 360° balloon, which allows for an examination of the radiation pattern and off-axis frequency response and at any frequency — important information when determining where to place this compact but substantial system in your home. For measurement of the Mu-so Qb, Warkwyn used 0.5 V as an input through the line-in and with the volume at full gain. A calibrated ACO Pacific (7052E capsule) free-field mic with the 4048 preamp was used as the measurement mic and all on-axis data is referenced at 1 m and between its two opposing tweeters. Measurements points around the speaker totaled 2598 and were processed with a resolution of 0.73 Hz and from 20 Hz to 20 kHz. The length of the stimulus was 1.4 s. Further subjective listening was performed in a 12’ × 20’ carpeted conference room with padded seating and a small kitchenette in the corner - similar to what may be encountered in a typical living room. aXRead the full article to see all the findings.
This article was originally published in audioXpress, December 2017
