New Arcam Solo Muso and Sub speakers

We tested the Arcam Muso speakers back in 2014 but the company has been in touch regarding their latest generation of Musos, as well as the Solo sub-woofer.

The new, all metal, Solo Muso speaker and the Solo Sub have been designed to complement Arcam’s Solo Movie and Music systems.,

At the forefront of the company’s mind were ease of placement and effortless, high quality sound.

Arcam Solo Muso

The construction of the new Muso uses the very latest techniques. These include dual-layer aluminium and steel enclosures and ultra-modern driver technology.

Boasting bass performance far beyond that of a typical small speaker enables it to be used as a simple stereo pair in most rooms. This will be interesting to hear as the originals did lack a little in the lows.

With the addition of the Solo sub-woofer, a full range system can be configured for stereo music or movie systems.

In full 5.1 or 7.2 systems the Muso / Solo combo, according to Arcam, offers a dynamic performance that puts many ‘big box’ speakers to shame.

Drivers

The main drive unit utilises a proprietary paper-pulp and fibre sandwich cone. This, we are told, results in an optimally light yet stiff cone. Everyone loves that, don’t they?

The drive unit’s chassis is die-cast. This has been used over the more common and cheaper steel chassis as it allows for thinner supporting structures. Using the method allows sound to pass from the back of the speaker cone to the inside of the cabinet more easily and reduces reflected sound back towards the cone, which would add distortion.

Within the cabinet, speaker wadding and other damping materials have been used to greatly reduce and sound being radiated from the cabinet.

The Muso’s tweeter is a pure aluminium dome tweeter. As with the main driver, sound passes from the tweeter both forwards and backwards.

By employing a front-facing port, the Muso speaker can be used close to walls without interfering with the port response.

To achieve bass extension without “chuffing” a long port of large cross sectional area is needed. As the Muso cabinet is not large enough to accommodate a long port, the port is bent internally and is custom moulded. It also has thick side walls to support itself with minimal vibration even when the speaker is playing at loud volumes.

Arcam Solo Sub

The Solo sub features a 300 watt amplifier and a downward firing 10-inch woofer.

It can be connected wirelessly or wired.

With exceptionally flexible crossover controls, the Solo sub also can be used in association with more complex AV systems, soundbars and other AV speakers. This will enable you to enhance bass and replace or upgrade poor-quality subs.

Price and availability

The Arcam Muso and Solo Sub are available now.

• Muso – high-performance “Metal Mini Monitor” Speakers £398 a pair or sold singly at £199
• Solo Sub – high-performance universal subwoofer £499 each
• Muso Solo 2.1 speaker system – 2 x Muso speakers with Solo Sub £897

Also available are matching wall brackets and stands.

More details at Arcam’s site.