Since this is a translation of an overseas article, there may be mistranslations.
https://www.ecoustics.com/video/focal-mu-so-hekla-first-look/
Focal's Mu-So Hekla is not a soundbar, and it could be the answer to wireless speakers for many.
Find out what Focal's Mu-so Hekla all-in-one speaker can actually do, and why the company doesn't want to call it a soundbar.
We first saw and heard the product at CES 2026, and Focal made one thing very clear from the start. It was that they didn't want Mu-So Hekla to be called a soundbar. After spending time with the product, we understood their resistance. Yes, it sits under your TV and replaces typical complex boxes and speakers. But its intention is different. The Mu-So Hekla is not just about convenience; it's an all-in-one wireless speaker built with performance as its top priority.
Tuned by Focal and powered by Naim's Pulse platform, the Hekla delivers wide, immersive Dolby Atmos sound, deep and controlled bass, and intelligent room correction that adapts to your actual space instead of forcing a uniform sound. This product clearly targets high-end buyers looking for premium "soundbar alternatives" like the KEF XIO. But Focal's argument is simple and valid: this isn't about dressing up your TV audio; it's about delivering serious sound through a single elegant enclosure, without the complexity of setting up multiple speakers in your room.
https://youtu.be/jLE4ASHkMkU
Focal Mu-So Hekla Wireless Speaker
Named after the Icelandic volcano Hekla, the Focal Mu-So Hekla is designed for listeners who want immersive audio without the clutter of typical cables. Users can access 'Sphere Music' and 'Sphere Movie' modes through the Focal & Naim app, sound profiles developed by Focal and Naim engineers for music listening or home cinema use. This goes beyond simple virtualization, combining a total of 15 individual drivers facing forward, upward, and sideways with Focal's ADAPT (Adaptive Acoustic Personal Tuning) room correction technology, first developed for the Focal DIVA Utopia wireless speaker, to create a dome of true sound optimized for your specific space.
Focal's ADAPT room correction process is integrated into the Focal & Naim mobile app. By entering simple room layout and speaker placement measurements into the app and going through a few audio test sequences, you can achieve sound optimized for your space. Once optimization is complete, users can activate 'Sphere Music' or 'Sphere Movie' modes in the app. Our first impression was that these modes are very effective at creating an immersive soundscape even without rear speakers. Dolby Atmos-encoded movies and music delivered a rich and enveloping sound, making us double-check if there were actually speakers behind us. Moreover, the unit's low-frequency response is said to be only 3dB down at 30Hz, so adding a subwoofer is entirely optional.
Once ADAPT calibration is complete, the remaining settings are simple and intuitive, and everyday operation is convenient. The Mu-So Hekla easily connects to common sources, including high-resolution streaming services and internet radio stations, and can be controlled through the Focal & Naim app, compatible Apple and Samsung smartwatches, supported voice assistants, or integrated home automation systems. A large, tactile volume dial allows direct access to playback and key functions without having to navigate menus or screens.
The Focal Mu-So Hekla, equipped with 15 individual drivers designed and manufactured by Focal itself, delivers a cinematic sound experience from a single elegant component. The enclosure is crafted from brushed anodized aluminum, combining a minimalist form with precise details. The interplay of brushing and bead blasting finishes draws inspiration from high-end watchmaking processes and reflects the design language seen in the Focal Diva Utopia. A raised circular control panel with proximity sensors subtly references the shape of Hekla volcano (even recreating its white snow-capped peak), while maintaining a clean and balanced aesthetic.
The finely perforated front grille achieves a harmonious balance between acoustic transparency and understated elegance, completing the design. On the back, Naim's signature heatsink structure plays a practical role in thermal management while discreetly housing Wi-Fi connectivity components. This reinforces that Mu-So Hekla's design choices are driven by performance as much as aesthetics.
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For more detailed information about the Focal Mu-So Hekla, be sure to watch Chris Boylan's in-depth video. It explains precisely why this product is not a soundbar. The Mu-So Hekla will retail for US$3,600 and CAD$4,000 and will be available starting Q1 2026 (March in North America). US audiophiles will have the first opportunity to experience Hekla firsthand at its US debut during the Florida International Audio Show in Tampa this February.
'Focal Powered by Naim' exclusively distributes the Mu-So Hekla, combining the technological DNA of Focal and Naim. However, there are compromises: DTS support is absent, while subwoofer output is provided but a subwoofer is not included. The industrial design leans more towards Naim than traditional Focal aesthetics. Future additions of gloss walnut or white lacquer finishes would broaden its appeal (though alternative finishes have yet to be announced).
Bluetooth functionality is receive-only, allowing pairing with smartphones, tablets, or computers but lacking support for headphone transmission, Auracast, or aptX Lossless. However, within the Focal & Naim ecosystem, users can leverage multiroom and party modes through compatible streamers via the Focal & Naim app. The latest App 8.0 update includes an integrated radio player with thousands of internet stations, including Naim Radio. Focal's Bathys and Bathys MG headphones can also stream from smartphones via Bluetooth to access these stations, extending the ecosystem beyond the living room without feeling out of place.
▶ Source: https://www.ecoustics.com/video/focal-mu-so-hekla-first-look/
