Focal Crafts Launch, Wireless Speakers, and CI Amplifiers Headline AXPONA 2026 Showcase

Focal and Naim Audio required one of the largest ballroom spaces at AXPONA 2026, not for showmanship, but because the breadth of their lineup leaves little room for anything smaller. From custom install amplifiers to wireless systems and traditional hi-fi, the scale of their portfolio was on full display, and the layout reflected that reality. Kudos to Chris and Wendy Knowles for running such a large exhibit space with first-rate demonstrations.

The most consistent traffic was around a makeshift home theater setup built around the new Focal Mu-so Hekla, which stayed near capacity throughout the weekend. The interest wasn’t hard to understand. The Hekla delivers a cohesive, room-filling Dolby Atmos presentation that holds together in less-than-ideal show conditions, and it does so without requiring a rack full of supporting gear.

Its $3,600 USD price only added to the appeal. At a show where six-figure systems were commonplace, the Hekla stood out for offering a more attainable path to a complete home theater experience without feeling like a compromise.

You can read more about our experience with the Mu-so Hekla here or watch our in-depth first look from CES 2026. Our review sample is expected after High End Vienna in June, with full impressions from our home setup coming in early July.

Custom Install Matters More Than Ever

At eCoustics, we’ve made a point of covering the custom install category alongside traditional hi-fi. That includes new products, trade show coverage, reviews, and the DIY side of the equation because it reflects how people are actually planning multi-room audio and dedicated home theater systems in 2026.

Focal offers a deep catalog across in-wall and in-ceiling speakers, outdoor systems, and marine applications. That kind of range is essential for custom integrators and interior designers who need flexibility across different environments and use cases. Dealers that ignore this category, or only offer a limited selection, are leaving real revenue behind in both product and installation.

One product that stood out, and one we plan to review this year, is the Naim CI-Uniti 102 Streaming Amplifier. It combines amplification and streaming in a single chassis and is designed to simplify installation without limiting system capability.

The Naim CI-Uniti 102 Streaming Amplifier isn’t trying to replace your rack full of gear. It’s trying to make you question why you still have one. In a market full of lifestyle amps that cut corners to hit a price or form factor, this one feels different. It’s built for people who want real performance in a space where size, visibility, and simplicity actually matter.

If you’re familiar with the Naim Uniti Atom, the CI-Uniti 102 will feel very familiar. Think of it like a pair of Buck Mason jeans: one less pocket, same fit, and still enough flexibility in the hands of a good tailor. You lose the front panel charm and some inputs, but the core experience is intact where it counts.

That includes one of the better streaming platforms in the category. Naim Audio already did the hard work here. Setup is straightforward, the app is stable, and support for the major streaming services is all in place. More importantly, it doesn’t fall apart when you start building around it. DSP and EQ options give it some room to adapt to real spaces, not just ideal ones.

In an apartment or smaller home, that combination is hard to ignore. It can run a clean two channel system with bookshelf speakers, disappear into a rack to power in-wall or in-ceiling speakers, or anchor a multi-room setup without turning your living space into a wiring project.

And if you eventually move into a larger space, it doesn’t become obsolete. That’s the part most people miss. This isn’t a stopgap solution. It’s one of the more flexible entry points into the Naim ecosystem we’ve seen, with enough power, control, and scalability to grow with you instead of being replaced the second your living situation changes.

It’s not just about placement, though. The onboard DSP handles system calibration and gives installers a way to dial things in for the actual space rather than hoping for the best. And if you need more power or additional zones, it integrates cleanly with Naim’s dedicated CI amplifiers, including the Naim CI-NAP 108 and Naim CI-NAP 101.

Control is handled through the Focal and Naim app, which remains one of the more reliable options in this category, and it also plays well with the systems that matter to installers. Support for platforms like Crestron, Control4, RTI, Savant, and Elan means it can slot into a larger control ecosystem without creating extra work.

It supports both wired and wireless streaming, including services like TIDAL with TIDAL Connect, Qobuz, Spotify, UPnP streaming, internet radio, AirPlay 2, and Chromecast.

Connectivity is broad enough for most installations, with HDMI, Bluetooth, S/PDIF, and analog inputs available. The integrated amplifier delivers up to 150 watts per channel into 8 ohms, which is sufficient for in-wall, in-ceiling, and many standalone loudspeaker setups.

For Those Who Never Quite Felt the Finish

The Focal Diva Utopia ($39,999) and Focal Diva Mezza Utopia ($69K) make a strong first impression and not always for the same reasons.

Let’s get the important part out of the way. They sound outstanding. These are two of the best wireless speaker systems we’ve heard, with the kind of scale, control, and tonal balance that most all-in-one designs can’t touch. Focal got the performance right. They demonstrated at the show that these systems can fill a hotel ballroom with ease, delivering a wide soundstage, deep bass, and rock solid imaging.

All of that is promising. Setup is straightforward through the app, and the connectivity options are extensive. Focal has even included HDMI eARC for those who wish to connect their television with a single cable.

But then you look at them. At these prices, expectations are different and the felt finish caught us off guard. Not because it’s poorly done, but because it feels out of step with what Focal usually delivers on the design front. This is a brand known for a wide range of finish options across its lineup, many of which lean more traditional or overtly premium. Felt wasn’t on that bingo card. It didn’t feel especially French, either.

You wouldn’t expect to see it in the fanciest shops on Avenue George V and when you consider the starting price of Diva Mezza Utopia at $69,000 — it raised some eyebrows.

Here’s the part most people miss and something we didn’t know until AXPONA: the felt panels are replaceable. That’s not obvious from the photos, and it probably should have been communicated more clearly from the start. Once you understand that, the design makes a lot more sense. It’s not a fixed aesthetic—it’s a starting point.

Focal Crafts Arrives for Those Who Found the Felt…Unforgivable

Focal introduced Focal Crafts in October 2025 as a dedicated workshop for exclusive loudspeaker finishes, not a new product line. Located alongside its production facilities in Saint Étienne, the initiative was designed to bring decorative arts and material expertise further into the brand’s process. The first collection, Opus No.1, consisted of 13 pairs of Utopia loudspeakers finished in patinated leather, produced in France and offered through select Focal Powered by Naim stores.

That effort now carries over into the wireless category. The Focal Diva Utopia is now available in three lacquered finishes: Black High Gloss, Dune High Gloss, and Off White High Gloss. It’s a clear shift toward more traditional options that better align with the rest of the Focal lineup.

The Focal Diva Mezza Utopia follows next, with availability being announced Monday, May 4. The focus here brings more finish flexibility, more consistency across the range, and fewer limitations for buyers who want these speakers to integrate visually into their space.

For more information: focalnaimamerica.com

Related Reading:

• More AXPONA 2026 Coverage
• Focal’s $69K Diva Mezza Utopia Ditches Cables And Dares Audiophiles To Let Go Of Their Separates
• Focal Goes Full Versailles: Diva Utopia Now Comes In Three Lacquered Finishes Fit For An Emperor—And Ready To Rule Arrakis
• Focal Mu-So Hekla Dolby Atmos Wireless Speaker Erupts At AXPONA 2026: Still Not A Soundbar