Audiophilepure

Focal Mu-so Hekla All-In-One Sound System Review

You always remember the music you grew up with, and for me, that’s Styx. They were my favorite band in the ’70s and ’80s, and they still move me when I listen to albums like Equinox. These recordings are more treble-forward, and the Hekla managed to keep the synths and screaming guitars from becoming harsh. The drum and bass anchored classics like Lorelei and Midnight Ride with a controlled punch. Dennis DeYoung’s high tenor cut through with just the right balance.

I couldn’t leave this review without a trip through Foo Fighters’ Wasting Light. This was Dave Grohl’s first use of the Neve console he bought from the now-defunct Sound City Studios in LA. It is a true reference rock recording for me because it has no digital processing. It’s analog all the way, and the Hekla gave this quality material its full head. Though it’s a studio recording, it has a live club feel with depth, warmth, and texture. The band seemed to do its thing right in front of me.