New Focal Radiance Special Edition Headphones, Naim Mu-so and a Collaboration with Bentley
Experience Exceptional Music Everywhere with the Naim Mu-so for Bentley Special Edition and Focal for Bentley Radiance
Crewe/Salisbury/St Etienne – Monday, September 14, 2020
Music lovers can now enjoy exceptional sound and styling whether listening at home, on the move, or in any Bentley car, thanks to an extended collaboration between the iconic British marque, and premium audio brands, Naim Audio and Focal.
Design and audio specialists from all three companies have worked together to develop two exclusive new products: the Naim Mu-so for Bentley Special Edition wireless speaker system, and Focal for Bentley Radiance headphones.
This exciting project extends the close partnership, formed in 2008, between Bentley Motors and Naim Audio. Expert engineers from both brands work together on optimised Naim for Bentley systems for every Bentley model, delivering the ultimate in-car audio experience. Another fundamental partnership is that of Focal and Naim: unified companies since 2011, combining 88 years of audio expertise to craft class-leading music players, systems, loudspeakers and headphones. Now the renowned quality and performance of all three brands are brought together to enhance your listening and lifestyle.
The Naim Mu-so for Bentley Special Edition and Focal for Bentley Radiance headphones join the Bentley Collection: a carefully chosen selection of products, each with its own unique identity. Every item in the collection embodies the essence of the Bentley marque - unparalleled craftsmanship of the very best quality luxury materials and incredible attention to detail.
Both products feature distinctive Bentley design cues. The colour accents directly reference interior and exterior styling aspects of the stunning Bentley Mulliner Bacalar, itself inspired by the design DNA of the award-winning EXP 100 GT electric concept car. A recurring lattice pattern on both products is inspired by Bentley’s iconic diamond seat quilting, which is echoed in other new Bentley design elements, including headlight designs.
“Bentley, Naim and Focal share an enthusiasm for innovation, dedication to engineering excellence and a true passion that drives our respective areas of expertise,” said Charlie Henderson, Managing Director of Naim Audio. “There is also a collective desire to honour proudly held heritage principles, blending them with cutting-edge technologies to define new benchmarks in premium performance and customer experience.”
“Bentley and Naim are celebrating the 12th year of a successful partnership founded on unrivaled quality and a passion to create the ultimate customer experience,” said Chris Craft, Member of the Board: Sales and Marketing at Bentley Motors. “The world’s most powerful in-car sound system available in the market heightens Bentley’s extraordinary drive with music that speaks to the heart. The new Mu-so system extends that experience and enjoyment from our cars to the home, delivering peerless sound performance and enhancing the lifestyle of Bentley’s discerning customers.”
Naim Mu-so for Bentley Special Edition ($2199)
This is a unique edition of Naim’s multi-Award-winning Mu-so 2nd Generation: a wireless speaker system that offers authentic audio expertise blended with the latest music-streaming technology, exquisite build quality, delightful usability and even the ability to transform your TV sound. The powerful Naim Mu-so can be enjoyed on its own or as part of a multi-room system, all with easy App control.
This Special Edition is the first ever Naim Mu-so to feature a wooden finish. It is crafted from Ayous, a sustainable African hardwood, which is then expertly stained and repeatedly lacquered to give a dramatic, dark finish unique to this system. Other standout features include an exclusive smoked plinth, copper-threaded speaker grille and the signature Bentley lattice design surrounding the tactile volume dial, which illuminates to your touch.
Focal for Bentley Radiance ($1299)
Created, developed and made in France, Radiance headphones are a closed-back design that incorporate a combination of the best Focal technologies and high-quality materials. They share the sonic signature of the Naim Mu-so, for a consistently excellent musical experience anywhere.
Every aspect is optimized for a luxurious listening experience. For example, Radiance earcups are finished in soft, breathable Pittards gloving leather, for incredible comfort. Pittards has been crafting leather in Somerset since 1826, with its ultra-soft yet durable designs used by everyone from fashion houses to round-the-world yacht racers and the military; Spitfire pilots wore Pittards gloves.
Focal for Bentley Radiance headphones can be enjoyed at home or on the move. They come beautifully packaged, complete with extras including a bespoke carry case, finished in the same woven material featured on the speaker grille of the Naim Mu-so for Bentley Special Edition.
Further Bentley styling cues include the copper accents, while the recurring lattice pattern is showcased on the earcups, the cable connections and on the underside of their sumptuous padded headband.
Created, developed and made in France, Radiance headphones are a closed-back design that incorporate a combination of the best Focal technologies and high-quality materials.
Design in more detail
The products were a true collaboration between all three brands: the teams explored new methods and materials to authentically extend those Bentley styling cues to the Focal and Naim products, while ensuring a consistent, top-class musical experience.
“The copper seen within the Naim Mu-so for Bentley Special Edition was inspired by the exterior metal brightwork of the EXP 100 GT, and represents Bentley’s move towards more sustainable materials for the future,” said Stefan Sielaff, Director of Design at Bentley. “This theme was mirrored through the weave of the front mesh as a highlight and can be seen in the anodized, machined veins at the back.”
Sielaff adds, “The etching on the ‘dial plate’ takes the form of a progressive diamond which elegantly grows out from the centre and is a nod to Bentley’s diamond-in-diamond interior quilting from the new Continental GT.”
“It’s been a privilege to work with Bentley on our in-car partnership for more than a decade, and an exciting journey taking their extraordinary design DNA beyond the vehicles,” said says Simon Matthews, Group Director of Design for Focal and Naim. “We have blended sustainable materials with innovative technology to develop these unique audio products you can enjoy at home or on the move.”.
ABOUT FOCAL AND NAIM AUDIO
With a combined 88 years of expertise in hand-crafting the world’s best music systems, Naim Audio – based in Salisbury, Wiltshire – and Focal, from St Etienne in France, have been sister brands since 2011. Both are recognised as exceptional brands in their respective countries: Naim is a multiple Queen’s Award winner, while Focal is designated by the French state as an Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant (EPV, or Living Heritage Company). Since their 2011 merger, Naim and Focal have united their unique areas of excellence and innovation, meaning even higher level of authentic audio performance are possible – taking you closer to the music you love.
For more information on each brand visit: www.focal.com/en and www.naimaudio.com.
ABOUT BENTLEY MOTORS
Bentley Motors is the most sought-after luxury car brand in the world. The company’s headquarters in Crewe is home to all of its operations including design, R&D, engineering and production of the company’s three model lines, Bentayga, Continental and Flying Spur. The combination of fine craftsmanship, using skills that have been handed down through generations, alongside engineering expertise and cutting-edge technology is unique to UK luxury car brands such as Bentley. It is also an example of high-value British manufacturing at its best. Bentley employs around 4,000 people at Crewe.
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View the Focal Radiance spec sheet here.
