Skip to main content

These are (literally) the Bentleys of speakers and headphones

Bentley and audio brands Naim Audio and Focal have been collaborating, and two new high-end products are surfacing as a result.

The three companies have developed the Naim Mu-so for Bentley Special Edition wireless speaker system, as well as the Focal for Bentley Radiance headphones. The Naim Mu-so will retail for $2,200, the Focal for Bentley Radiance will cost $1,300, and both products will be available in October.

Recommended Videos

Here’s what we know about these new audio products.

Naim Mu-so for Bentley Special Edition

Naim Mu-so wireless speaker
Naim/Bentley

The Naim Mu-so is an interesting mix of elements. Design-wise, it’s got Bentley’s luxury style in mind, becoming the first Naim Mu-so to feature a wooden finish. Underneath the sustainable African hardwood, though, is some seriously high-tech hardware.

The Naim Mu-so supports streaming services like Spotify and Tidal, comes with AirPlay 2 support, and has both Chromecast and Bluetooth built-in. It supports multiroom streaming with other Naim streaming products and has several inputs – including HDMI ARC, digital/optical, and USB – to provide multiple ways to connect.

The Naim Mu-so supports all the audio formats that you’d expect a high-end wireless speaker to, including WAV, FLAC, and AIFF, as well as Bluetooth codecs like SBC and AAC. It comes packed with 450 watts of power driving a stereo 3-way, DSP-optimized vented box acoustic system.

Controls are meant to be easy, with the included Naim App and supplied remote control acting as the foundation for choosing your music. The speaker also supports Google Assistant and Apple Siri voice control.

Focal for Bentley Radiance

Focal for Bentley Radiance headphones
Focal/Bentley

We could tell you about the full-grain leather headband and earpads, or the copper finish on the earcups. But truthfully, the best way to describe the Focal for Bentley Radiance is that they’re exactly what you’d expect Bentley-style headphones to look like.

Besides the aesthetic of the Focal for Bentley Radiance, the headphones feature Focal’s closed-back design with a full-range speaker driver and a 40mm aluminum/magnesium “M” shape dome. They come with faux leather packaging and a carry case in the same colors as the cans themselves.

Accessories included with the Focal for Bentley Radiance include an OFC 24 AWG cable with a 3.5mm unbalanced TRS jack connector, as well as a jack adapter, a 3.5mm point socket, and a 6.35mm  point plug.

According to a press release from the companies, the Focal for Bentley Radiance has deep bass, a balanced midrange, and a mellow, linear treble. We haven’t heard them yet, of course, so for now, you’ll to take these luxury brands at their word.

Nick Woodard
Former Digital Trends Contributor
  As an A/V Staff Writer at Digital Trends, Nick Woodard covers topics that include 4K HDR TVs, headphones…
Altec Lansing keeps the party going with trio of new speakers
The Altec Lansing Sonic Boom 180.

Altec Lansing today added to its already impressive portable party speaker lineup with a trio of new offerings.

"Our mission is to create exceptional experiences for music lovers and keep every event vibrant by continuously introducing new features without compromising on top-tier sound," Ike Franco, founder and CEO of Infinity Brands, the parent company of Altec Lansing, said in a press release. "Building on the success of its predecessors, the new party speakers offer refined features tailored for unforgettable events and uninterrupted listening experiences."

Read more
Dali’s IO-8 headphones promise ‘audiophile’ active noise cancellation
Dali IO-8.

Danish audio brand Dali says its latest wireless headphones are designed to cancel noise without affecting sound quality. The IO-8 can be preordered for $900 starting October 8 in Iron Black and Caramel White, and will ship in late November.

Dali is being fairly quiet about how it achieves its "audiophile ANC." It doesn't mention the number of microphones it uses, something most companies like to brag about, or the software. It simply states that the system "delivers an immersive listening experience, ensuring the audio quality is not compromised."

Read more
Focal’s first wireless speakers are a tech tour de force with a price to match
Focal Diva Utopia.

Calling Focal's Diva Utopia a set of "wireless speakers" may be like calling a Ferrari Enzo Ferrari "a sports car," and yet that's fundamentally what these $39,999, 47-inch-tall, floor-standing monoliths are. Linking the left and right sides is an ultra wideband (UWB) wireless connection, which Focal says can transmit up to 24-bit/96kHz lossless hi-res audio "with imperceptible latency." Should you have the available funds, they can be ordered starting October 2 from Focal Powered By Naim boutiques.

UWB technology is known for its extremely fast data rates, which can exceed 1Gbps, but it typically only works over very short distances. However, Focal says the Focal Utopia's UWB connection is stable up to a distance of 10 meters (about 32 feet), which should be more than enough to achieve good stereo separation. Focal recommends a minimum of 5 meters between the speakers. The UWB connection may work at longer distances, but you'll need to make sure there are no obstructions to the signal.

Read more