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The Naim Mu-so Qb 2nd Generation remains an unusually capable compact wireless speaker, with 300 W of amplification, broad streaming support and useful wired inputs in a roughly 21 cm cube. It is a sensible choice for a premium small-room or multiroom system when you find a genuine, well-supported unit at a fair used or remaining-stock price. The important catch is availability: Naim’s current product page says, “This product is no longer available.” That makes condition, seller support, warranty, firmware status and local pricing more important than the old launch price. The sound impressions discussed here are attributed to What Hi-Fi?’s published review, not to a new listening test.
What is the Naim Mu-so Qb 2nd Generation?
The Mu-so Qb 2nd Generation is the compact member of Naim’s Mu-so wireless music system family. Naim describes it as a re-engineered compact wireless music system rather than a conventional portable Bluetooth speaker. It is designed to stay in one location, connect to your home network and streaming services, and provide high-output stereo sound from a small enclosure.
The product is now discontinued or otherwise unavailable from Naim’s current range. That does not make every existing unit a bad purchase, but it changes the buying decision. You are evaluating remaining dealer inventory or a used speaker, not choosing a current model with guaranteed long-term retail support. A seller’s return policy, proof of ownership, physical condition and confirmation that the unit can still be set up on your network matter as much as the specification sheet.
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Who is it for?
- Listeners who want a compact premium speaker for a study, bedroom, kitchen or apartment living area.
- Households using AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, TIDAL, Qobuz, Roon, UPnP or internet radio.
- People who need optical, analogue, USB or Ethernet connections but do not require HDMI ARC.
- Multiroom users who are comfortable managing playback through Naim’s application.
It is less suitable as a plug-and-play television soundbar, a battery-powered speaker for outdoor use or a purchase where current manufacturer availability is essential.
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- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
What are the Naim Mu-so Qb 2nd Generation’s key specifications?
Naim’s product specifications describe a three-way stereo system with 300 W of total amplifier output. The amplifier allocation is four channels of 50 W plus one 100 W channel. The cabinet is compact, but at 5.6 kg it is substantial enough that you will normally place it permanently rather than carry it between rooms.
| Specification | Naim Mu-so Qb 2nd Generation | Qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Amplifier output | 300 W total (4 × 50 W plus 1 × 100 W) | Naim product specification; not a measurement of acoustic output |
| Dimensions | 21.8 × 21.2 × 21 cm (H × W × D) | Manufacturer figures; What Hi-Fi? gives rounded dimensions of approximately 21 × 22 × 21 cm |
| Weight | 5.6 kg | Naim product specification |
| Speaker architecture | Three-way stereo system with DSP-optimised dual auxiliary bass radiator acoustic system | Naim description |
| Wi-Fi and network | Wi-Fi and Ethernet | Naim specification |
| Bluetooth | Supported | Manufacturer-listed capability; codec detail is not stated in the cited material |
| Optical input | Optical S/PDIF, up to 96 kHz | Naim specification |
| Analogue input | 3.5 mm | Naim specification |
| USB | USB-A | Naim specification |
| HDMI ARC | Not listed | The 2024 Focal Naim brochure lists HDMI ARC and CEC for the larger Mu-so 2nd Generation, not the Qb |
Sound & Vision lists two 1-inch silk-dome tweeters, two 2.5-inch paper-cone midrange drivers, one 5.7 × 3-inch paper-cone woofer and two 5.8 × 3.4-inch aluminium passive radiators. Those driver and enclosure details help explain how the small cabinet produces bass, but they are design information rather than proof of a particular frequency response or maximum volume.
How does the Qb 2nd Generation sound?
What Hi-Fi?’s published review characterises the Qb 2nd Generation as open and expressive, with punchy bass, and calls it “a stunning, entertaining premium wireless speaker” in the review headline. Those are the publication’s subjective listening judgments. They should not be presented as fresh test results or as a substitute for hearing the speaker in your own room.
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No controlled frequency-response, distortion, maximum-output or laboratory measurement is established in the available material. If you are choosing between this speaker and a newer model, treat the review as useful listening context, then audition the actual unit when possible. A damaged grille, rattling passive radiator, ageing driver or distorted amplifier can make a used Qb sound very different from a well-preserved example.
Which music services and streaming methods does it support?
Naim lists a broad set of network and direct-streaming options: Apple AirPlay 2, Bluetooth, Chromecast, internet radio, Qobuz, Roon Ready, Spotify Connect, TIDAL and UPnP. Naim also describes multiroom streaming and control through its application. These are manufacturer-listed capabilities; an individual service, account integration or app screen can change over time with firmware or platform updates.
Rank #2
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- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
AirPlay 2 and Chromecast
AirPlay 2 is useful for Apple-device households that want system-wide audio, while Chromecast allows compatible apps and devices to cast playback. Both methods send audio over the network rather than relying on a short-range Bluetooth connection. Your phone is generally a controller, so playback can continue without keeping the app in the foreground.
Spotify Connect, TIDAL and Qobuz
Spotify Connect, TIDAL and Qobuz are listed as direct or integrated streaming options. Direct control can be more reliable than maintaining a Bluetooth link because the speaker receives the stream through Wi-Fi. Check the current app and account requirements before buying a used unit, especially if the seller cannot demonstrate a successful login and playback session.
Roon Ready, UPnP and internet radio
Roon Ready support is aimed at listeners who manage a larger library and multiple playback zones. UPnP can connect the Qb to compatible network music servers, while internet radio provides stations without a separate tuner. These features are most valuable when the speaker is connected by stable Wi-Fi or Ethernet and your network discovery settings allow the devices to see one another.
What inputs does it have, and can it connect to a TV?
The Qb provides a 3.5 mm analogue input, optical S/PDIF, USB-A and Ethernet. That combination covers a television with optical output, a turntable setup with an appropriate phono stage, a computer or portable player through analogue, USB playback where supported, and a wired network connection. It does not provide HDMI ARC in the documented Qb specification.
| Use case | Best documented connection | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| TV audio | Optical S/PDIF | Set the television’s digital output to a compatible PCM mode if the speaker does not accept the default format |
| Phone or tablet without network streaming | Bluetooth or 3.5 mm analogue | Bluetooth range and codec details are not stated in the cited specifications |
| Computer or local source | 3.5 mm analogue, USB-A or network streaming | Confirm the source’s output level and the file or playback method supported by the current firmware |
| Home network | Wi-Fi or Ethernet | Ethernet is preferable where wireless coverage is weak |
| TV remote volume and CEC control | HDMI ARC | Not listed for the Qb; the 2024 brochure identifies HDMI ARC and CEC on the larger Mu-so 2nd Generation |
If television integration is your priority, the lack of HDMI ARC is the most important limitation. Optical can carry the sound, but it does not provide the same single-cable control and automatic input switching that many HDMI-ARC systems offer. Do not assume that an HDMI adapter will add ARC functionality; the speaker must support the required audio and control protocols.
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The manufacturer’s 21.8 × 21.2 × 21 cm dimensions make the Qb close to a 21 cm cube. It can fit on a shelf or sideboard where a full-size stereo system would not, but its 5.6 kg weight and mains-powered design mean it is better treated as a fixed component than as a portable speaker.
Rank #3
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- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Leave clearance around the cabinet and avoid blocking the front grille or the rear connections. Sound & Vision lists “near wall” and “near corner” room-compensation settings. Those modes are intended to account for boundary placement, but they do not remove the need to experiment: a corner generally reinforces bass more than a position with open space around the cabinet.
- Place the Qb on a rigid, level surface at a comfortable listening height.
- Keep the front grille unobstructed and leave enough rear access for power, Ethernet and optical or analogue cables.
- Start with the speaker away from corners, then test the near-wall or near-corner compensation setting if the room requires closer placement.
- Play familiar recordings at moderate volume and adjust the position before changing equalisation or DSP settings.
- For network playback, use Ethernet when Wi-Fi signal strength is inconsistent or the speaker drops from the network.
How do you set up a Qb 2nd Generation?
Setup is normally a network-and-source process rather than a complex hi-fi installation. The exact labels can vary with the current Naim application and firmware, so use the on-screen wording shown by your particular unit.
- Connect the Qb to mains power and wait for its startup sequence to finish.
- Install the current Naim application on your phone or tablet, enable Bluetooth and local-network permissions if requested, and choose the option to add a product.
- Join the Qb to your home Wi-Fi, or connect an Ethernet cable before adding it if you prefer a wired network.
- Check for an available firmware update while the speaker is online. Do not disconnect power during an update.
- Sign in to any supported streaming services you use, or start playback through AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Bluetooth, UPnP or Spotify Connect.
- Test each physical input you plan to use, particularly optical from a TV and the 3.5 mm input, before installing the speaker in a hard-to-reach location.
For a used purchase, ask the seller to perform a factory reset and show that the speaker can be discovered by the current application. A unit still tied to another household’s configuration may need to be reset before you can claim it as your own.
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Does it work well in a multiroom system?
Naim lists multiroom streaming and control through its application, so the Qb can be considered as one zone in a compatible Naim setup. Its value in a multiroom system depends on whether the rest of your household uses the same ecosystem and whether your preferred services remain supported on the firmware installed on the unit.
Before buying a used Qb for multiroom use, verify three things: the speaker appears in the current application, it can join your network without errors, and the source you intend to group is available on that platform. A speaker that works as a standalone Bluetooth device may still fail to participate in network groups if its software is outdated or its wireless configuration is incomplete.
How does the Qb compare with the larger Mu-so?
The Qb’s defining advantage is its smaller footprint. The 2024 Focal Naim brochure shows the larger Mu-so 2nd Generation with HDMI ARC and CEC, while the Qb entry has no HDMI listing. The brochure and Naim’s product information support a clear distinction in connectivity, but they do not establish a complete, directly comparable table of dimensions, output, current pricing or sound performance for both models.
Rank #4
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| Comparison point | Mu-so Qb 2nd Generation | Larger Mu-so 2nd Generation |
|---|---|---|
| Physical size | 21.8 × 21.2 × 21 cm; 5.6 kg | Not stated in the cited material |
| Amplifier figure | 300 W total | Not stated in the cited material |
| HDMI ARC and CEC | Not listed | Listed in the 2024 Focal Naim brochure |
| Streaming ecosystem | AirPlay 2, Bluetooth, Chromecast, Qobuz, Roon Ready, Spotify Connect, TIDAL, UPnP and internet radio listed | Broad streaming support is shown in the brochure, but a complete feature-by-feature service table is not established here |
| Current availability | Naim’s current product page says no longer available | Current status is not established by the cited material |
Choose the Qb when shelf space and the compact form factor matter more than HDMI-based television control. Choose the larger model only after checking its current availability, dimensions, price and room suitability; the available evidence does not justify assuming it is automatically louder, better sounding or better value.
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Is a remaining-stock or used Qb 2nd Generation worth buying?
It can be, but only when the price reflects the product’s discontinued status and the unit passes practical checks. Naim’s current page says the model is no longer available, so an old launch figure is not a current value benchmark. The historical product sheet shows £749 at launch, Sound & Vision lists a historical US specification price of $900, and an FNCE distributor page displays 3,799 zł for Poland. These figures come from different markets and periods; none is a verified universal price today.
| Price reference | What it represents | How to use it |
|---|---|---|
| £749 | Naim launch specification reproduced in a historical product sheet | Historical context only, not a current offer |
| $900 | Sound & Vision historical specification listing | Historical US reference, not a current street price |
| 3,799 zł | Price displayed by an FNCE regional distributor listing | Poland-specific and potentially volatile; verify stock and date |
Checks for a used unit
- Ask for the exact model and generation; do not confuse the Qb with the full-size Mu-so or another compact speaker.
- Confirm that the unit powers on, joins a current Wi-Fi network and is visible in the Naim application.
- Play music at low and moderate levels, listening for rattles, buzzing, channel imbalance or distortion.
- Test optical, 3.5 mm, USB and Ethernet connections if those inputs matter to you.
- Inspect the grille, cabinet corners, control dial and rear connectors for impact or moisture damage.
- Ask whether the original power cable, remote-control accessories if supplied, packaging and purchase receipt are included.
- Get the serial number and ask the seller to clarify remaining warranty, return rights and any repair history.
- Confirm that the seller will reset the device and remove it from their household account before handover.
When should you walk away?
Reject a unit that cannot be reset, cannot be discovered by the current application, repeatedly loses its network connection or produces mechanical noise from the cabinet. Also walk away when the seller will not identify the exact condition or when the price approaches that of a newer, fully supported wireless speaker with the inputs you need.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Can you replace the Qb grille?
Naim lists a Mu-so Qb 2nd Generation speaker grille as a similar product, and the 2024 brochure labels the Qb grille as compatible with the standard edition. Confirm the exact fit, colour and revision with the seller before ordering; do not assume that a full-size Mu-so grille is interchangeable with the Qb.
What are the main strengths and weaknesses?
Strengths
- Very compact cabinet for a full 300 W amplifier specification.
- Broad streaming support spanning AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, TIDAL, Qobuz, Roon Ready, UPnP, Bluetooth and internet radio.
- Useful wired connections: optical S/PDIF, 3.5 mm analogue, USB-A and Ethernet.
- Three-way stereo design with DSP and auxiliary bass radiators aimed at extracting bass from a small enclosure.
- Multiroom control through the Naim application.
- Published What Hi-Fi? review describes an open, expressive presentation with punchy bass.
Weaknesses and risks
- Naim currently marks the model as no longer available.
- No documented HDMI ARC or CEC, making it less convenient for television control than the larger Mu-so.
- At 5.6 kg, it is compact but not genuinely portable.
- Used-market firmware, app compatibility, warranty and repair support are not guaranteed by the historical specifications.
- Historical prices from the UK, United States and Poland cannot be treated as a single current value.
- There is no independent measurement in the available material to verify frequency response, distortion or maximum output.
What should you verify before paying?
Use this short decision checklist rather than relying on an old review score or launch price:
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- If TV use matters, decide whether optical is sufficient; HDMI ARC is not listed.
- Check the seller’s country, stock status, return period, warranty and proof of purchase.
- Request a live demonstration of network setup, application discovery and at least one streaming service.
- Listen for distortion and inspect the enclosure, grille, controls and passive-radiator area.
- Compare the complete delivered cost with current alternatives, not just the historical £749, $900 or 3,799 zł references.
- Only then decide whether the compact size and Naim ecosystem justify buying an unavailable model.
Verdict: who should buy the Naim Mu-so Qb 2nd Generation?
The Qb 2nd Generation still makes sense as a compact, high-output network speaker for someone who values Naim’s streaming ecosystem, Ethernet and optical connectivity, and who can verify a healthy unit at a sensible price. What Hi-Fi?’s positive listening description gives it a credible sound case, while the 300 W specification and small footprint make it attractive for rooms where a larger system would be excessive.
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Buy cautiously rather than automatically. Naim’s “no longer available” status means support and pricing are now transaction-specific. A tested remaining-stock unit with clear warranty is the safest route; a used unit can be worthwhile only after network, input and driver checks. If you need HDMI ARC, guaranteed current software support or straightforward new-stock availability, choose a newer product instead of paying a collector’s premium for the Qb.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Naim Mu-so Qb 2nd Generation have a battery?
No battery operation is listed in Naim’s specifications. The 5.6 kg, mains-powered design is intended for fixed indoor placement rather than portable use.
Can I use a turntable with the Mu-so Qb 2nd Generation?
Yes, if the turntable setup provides a suitable line-level signal. Connect a turntable with a built-in phono stage, or place an external phono preamp between the turntable and the Qb’s 3.5 mm analogue input.
Will the Qb play music from a NAS drive?
The Qb supports UPnP, so a compatible network music server or NAS can be used when it exposes an accessible UPnP library. The exact file support and discovery behaviour depend on the server and the speaker’s current firmware.
Is the Qb 2nd Generation the same size as the full-size Mu-so?
No. Naim identifies the Qb as the compact member of the family, measuring 21.8 × 21.2 × 21 cm. The cited material does not provide the full-size Mu-so’s dimensions, so do not infer them from the Qb.
What should I do if a used Qb will not appear in the Naim app?
Ask the seller to perform a factory reset, then retry setup on a normal home network with local-network permissions enabled on your phone. If it still cannot be discovered after checking Ethernet or Wi-Fi, treat that as a support risk and use the return option rather than assuming the problem will resolve later.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
