Modern or retro? The choice is yours
When Ruark Audio unveiled its premium all-in-one R410 music system, our thoughts immediately went to another similarly shaped, priced and featured system: the Naim Mu-so 2.
Both models from well-regarded British audio brands are exemplary examples of what a modern, lifestyle-leaning all-in-one music system can look like, especially as an alternative to a separates hi-fi system. Not to mention packing in all the latest streaming features and using the brands’ strong hi-fi heritage to deliver five-star performance across the board.
We are surprised there aren’t more one-box wireless set-ups like these: when done right, these systems are lovely pieces of hi-fi (not to mention lovely pieces of artful furniture) that are so versatile, user-friendly and have wide appeal. And, if done really right, they can sound good too.
We dusted off our Naim Mu-so 2 sample, plugged it in next to the Ruark R410 and got to comparing them head to head. It’s fierce competition, but is there a winner?
Ruark Audio R410 vs Naim Mu-so 2: Price
These all-in-one systems don’t come cheap, but think of what you’re getting: they pack in so many functions and features (amplification, source, streaming, speakers) that would cost much more if you were to divide them up into their equivalent hi-fi separates.
The Ruark R410 is priced at £1299, while the Naim Mu-so 2 was originally reviewed, back in 2019, at the same price, although it is now retailing for £899. That, of course, is a fair whack cheaper, so if you are looking for the best deal, the four-year-old Naim’s discounted pricing edges the newer, pricier Ruark out.
*WINNER: NAIM MU-SO 2*
Ruark Audio R410 vs Naim Mu-so 2: Design & build
It isn’t just the features and sound quality you are paying for. It’s the design of these systems – geared as they are towards being lifestyle-friendly units – that matters just as much. And you couldn’t pick two more different aesthetics than Ruark and Naim.
When we first laid eyes on the first-gen Naim Mu-so back in 2014, we were immediately impressed. Here was a cutting-edge, streaming wireless speaker system that looked exquisitely modern and contemporary – it was unlike anything else we had seen at the time, especially from a traditional British hi-fi manufacturer. The Mu-so 2 refined the design but remains a stunning looker. All sleek metal lines with its solid anodised aluminium body, mirrored base a
