Focal’s new Mu-so Hekla aims squarely at the growing high-end soundbar market—one that’s no longer about convenience but about performance that earns its price tag. Competing with systems like the KEF XIO, Hekla brings together Focal’s acoustic engineering and Naim’s Pulse platform to deliver Dolby Atmos immersion, intelligent room calibration, and Sphere audio modes that adapt to your space instead of dictating it.
It’s an elegant, all-in-one solution built for listeners who expect real connectivity, precision, and depth from their home cinema—without the usual setup headache or marketing fluff. A proper French solution to a modern problem: less cable spaghetti, more sound worth hearing.
Named after Iceland’s Hekla volcano, Focal’s Mu-so Hekla is built for those who want serious sound without the clutter. Through the Focal & Naim app, listeners can access Sphere Music and Sphere Movie modes—custom sound profiles created by Focal and Naim engineers.
The Sphere module, part of the Naim Pulse platform, uses a dual-core processor to manage latency-free, high-fidelity playback. The result is a system that focuses on accuracy, flexibility, and real-world usability instead of marketing drama.
Advanced Technology, Simple Control
Focal’s Mu-so Hekla keeps the setup straightforward and the operation intuitive. It connects easily to your preferred sources, including high-resolution streaming platforms, and can be controlled through the Focal & Naim app, compatible smartwatches from Apple or Samsung, voice assistants, or a home automation system. The tactile volume dial provides direct control over playback and key functions without relying on screens or menus.
Mu-so Hekla Design & Craftsmanship
Crafted from brushed anodized aluminum, Focal’s Mu-so Hekla combines minimalist design with precise detailing. The alternating brushed and bead-blasted finishes draw from fine watchmaking, reflecting the same attention to texture and proportion found in Focal’s Diva Utopia. The circular volume dial references the form of Iceland’s Hekla volcano while maintaining a refined aesthetic balance.
A finely perforated grille completes the front profile, merging acoustic transparency with subtle elegance. Around back, Naim’s signature heat sink design isn’t just functional—it manages thermal control while discreetly integrating Wi-Fi connectivity, reinforcing the system’s commitment to both form and performance.
Specifications & Performance Overview
The Focal Mu-so Hekla is an all-in-one immersive sound system designed for serious home cinema and music playback, delivering both performance and flexibility within a single, compact chassis. Built from brushed and sandblasted aluminum, it measures 4.65 x 39.37 x 11.61 inches (11.8 x 100 x 29.5 cm) and weighs 15.5 kilograms, combining minimalist design with robust construction.
Internally, the system employs 15 individual drivers powered by 660 watts of amplification. The front panel includes three 6 x 3-inch woofers, two 2.75-inch midrange drivers, and two 1-inch tweeters. The sides and top each feature four full-range drivers (1.5 x 2.75 inches), ensuring consistent dispersion and immersive coverage for Dolby Atmos configurations.
Frequency response extends from 30Hz to 20kHz (±3dB) with low-frequency reach down to 27Hz at -6dB, while maximum output is rated at 108dB SPL at one meter.
Connectivity options include HDMI eARC, optical Toslink, and RCA subwoofer outputs, alongside Ethernet and Wi-Fi 6 for network streaming. Wireless support covers AirPlay, Google Cast, UPnP, Bluetooth 5.1 (SBC, AAC), and direct integration with TIDAL, Qobuz, Spotify, and QQ Music (China) via their respective Connect platforms. Internet radio is supported through Naim’s server system, compatible with HLS, DASH, and OGG streaming formats.
File compatibility extends up to 32-bit/384kHz for WAV files, 24-bit/384kHz for FLAC and AIFF, and DSD64/128 playback. Multichannel audio decoding supports Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby MAT, and Dolby AC-4, up to 7.1.2 configurations with 16-channel object-based formats at up to 96kHz.
Control is managed through the Focal & Naim App (iOS and Android), which provides system updates, access to Sphere sound modes, and multiroom synchronization for up to 32 devices. The system supports both automatic standby (adjustable up to 2 hours) and low-power network modes (<2W). Rated power consumption during operation is 200W.
In short, the Mu-so Hekla offers a complete high-fidelity home cinema solution with precise driver integration, wide codec support, flexible connectivity, and reliable multiroom control—all built on the Naim Pulse platform for modern streaming and Dolby Atmos playback.
The Bottom Line
The Focal Mu-so Hekla will sell for $3,600 USD and $4,000 CAD, with availability beginning in Q1 2026 (March for North America). It launches November 6 at the Focal Powered by Naim store in Seoul, with initial availability in South Korea and China, followed by a global rollout. Hekla will be on display at CES 2026 in Las Vegas (January 6-9) and ISE 2026 in Barcelona (February 3–6), though CES remains industry-only. American audiophiles will get hands-on time at the Florida International Audio Show in Tampa in February 2026, where it will make its first U.S. public appearance.
Sold exclusively through the Focal Powered by Naim retail network, Hekla brings together the technical strengths of both brands—but not without some quirks. There’s no DTS support, and while it allows for a subwoofer connection, one isn’t included. The aesthetic leans more Naim industrial than Focal flair, and a future run with traditional Focal finishes—like gloss walnut or white lacquer—wouldn’t be unwelcome.
Mu-so Hekla’s Bluetooth is receive-only for pairing with a phone, tablet, or computer—it does not transmit to headphones and does not support aptX Lossless. Within the Focal & Naim ecosystem, you still get Multiroom and Party Mode across other Focal/Naim streamers via the Focal & Naim app. The latest app 8.0 adds a built-in radio player with thousands of internet stations (including Naim Radio). Bathys and Bathys MG can access those stations by streaming from your smartphone over Bluetooth.
Expect a review in Q2 2026.
For more information: focal.com
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