Focal and Naim have announced they’re teaming up once again, this time to deliver an exclusive Special Edition Ash Grey Hi-Fi system.
The French audio expert and British electronics specialist have been united as part of the Verdant Audio Group for more than 10 years and the landmark was recently celebrated with the launch of the Focal Naim 10th Anniversary Edition made up of Focal’s Sopra No2 speakers and Naim’s NDX 2 streaming player, NAC 282 pre-amplifier, NAP 250 power amplifier and HiCap DR. That comprehensive package would set you back £28,000, whereas this new Special Edition combination is a little more ‘streamlined’ and comes with a new(ish)-look Ash Grey finish.
Focal’s contribution to this new system is once again seen in the speakers, courtesy of its new Aria K2 926 loudspeakers, coming equipped with the company’s iconic K2 Power cone – an aramid fibre cone that “provides dynamic sound and high power handling.” The three-way floorstanding speakers use a 25mm TNF aluminium and magnesium inverted dome tweeter, along with a 165mm midrange driver and twin 165mm bass drivers. They also use Focal’s multi-port Powerflow design and come with a solid aluminium-alloy base as part of a typically cool design, with a leather-effect baffle and the Ash Grey finish only otherwise found on its flagship Utopia Evo speakers.
Naim’s part of the package is its Uniti Star all-in-one audio system that can be used to stream music, play CDs (and ‘rip’ them) and essentially handle most of your main sources in one handy box. It supports the likes of Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal and Qobuz, and comes with Apple AirPlay 2, Chromecast built-in, and Bluetooth playback. There’s also an HDMI port for your TV needs, it’s turntable-friendly for vinyl fans, and of course there’s the Naim App and the likes of Google Assistant and Apple Siri for added bonus features. As with the Focal speakers, the Uniti Star shuns its previous black-only design for the new Ash Grey finish on its anodised aluminium casing.
The complete Focal Naim Ash Grey system is available now, with an RRP of £6,799 (€7,899 / $8,999). The package includes a pair of Naim’s 4m NAC A5 cables, with new users also getting three months of free access to Tidal and Qobuz. At a quarter of the price than the 10th Anniversary Edition, does this simplified combination seem more appealing, or would you still be looking to add further components to really make the most of it?
SOURCE: Focal / Naim (via press release)
IMAGES: Focal / Naim