By: Dipin Sehdev
KEF has finally entered the powered soundbar market—and it's not holding back. The new KEF XIO (pronounced "ZEE-oh") is the British audio company’s first all-in-one Dolby Atmos soundbar, and it’s making a bold debut at $2,499.99 / £1,999. With a sleek design, 5.1.2-channel configuration, and KEF’s trademark acoustic precision, the XIO aims to bring audiophile-grade performance to living rooms without the clutter of a full AV setup.
But with competition from Sonos, Sennheiser, and Nakamichi already crowding the upper tier of the soundbar market, can KEF’s high-concept debut justify its price? We break down the specs, performance, technology, and competition to find out.
KEF’s First Powered Soundbar: A Logical Next Step
For years, KEF has dominated the premium powered speaker category. The KEF LS50 Wireless II holds a 94% CE Critic Score. The LSX II Wireless matches it with 94% CE Critic Score, and the more affordable LSX II LT clocks in at 93% CE Critic Score. The flagship LS60 Wireless towers above them all with a class-leading 96% CE Critic Score.
The KEF XIO takes key learnings from those award-winning systems—like the Uni-Q driver array, Music Integrity Engine, and W2 streaming platform—and applies them to a sleek, cinema-focused 5.1.2-channel soundbar. The result? A soundbar that doesn’t just follow the market—it tries to raise the bar entirely.
KEF XIO Specs and Features Overview
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Configuration | 5.1.2 channels (five main, one subwoofer, two height) |
| Amplification | 12 Class D amplifiers, 820W peak output |
| Drivers | 6 × 2" Uni-Q MX drivers, 2 × 2" full-range, 4 × 2"x6" P185 LF drivers w/ VECO |
| Audio Codecs | Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, Sony 360 Reality Audio, MPEG-H |
| Connectivity | HDMI eARC, Optical, RCA Sub Out, USB-C (service), Ethernet, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Wireless Streaming | KEF W2 platform: Tidal, Spotify, Qobuz, Amazon Music, Deezer |
| Control | Top panel, remote, KEF Connect app |
| Dimensions | 47.6 x 2.8 x 6.5 in (W x H x D) |
| Weight | 23.1 lbs (10.5 kg) |
| Price | $2,499.99 / £1,999 |
| Availability | Shipping globally from July 2025 |
Key Technologies: What Makes the KEF XIO Stand Out
1. Uni-Q MX Drivers
KEF’s miniature Uni-Q MX array shrinks the same concentric driver design found in the LS Wireless series into a compact soundbar form factor. The decoupled tweeter sits in the acoustic center of the midrange cone, ensuring a wide soundstage and precise imaging across the entire room.
2. P185 LF Drivers with VECO
KEF didn’t skimp on bass. Inside the XIO are four P185 low-frequency drivers in a force-cancelling configuration. Borrowed from the KC62 and KC92 subwoofers, they feature KEF’s P-Flex surround and new Velocity Control Technology (VECO), which uses a built-in sensor and negative feedback loop to eliminate distortion and preserve clarity.
3. Music Integrity Engine (MIE) for Cinema
KEF’s proprietary DSP suite handles everything from virtualized Atmos height cues to phase correction and intelligent driver time alignment. The result is a seamless, coherent front soundstage that doesn’t need satellite speakers to sound immersive.
4. Intelligent Placement Technology (IPT)
This automatic room calibration system adapts sound output based on surrounding furniture or wall reflections. It’s KEF’s answer to Sonos Trueplay or Sennheiser’s Room Calibration.
Design & Build: Minimalist Elegance
The XIO is pure KEF in design—understated but high-end. A slim aluminum top plate meets splash-resistant fabric in either Slate Black or Silver Grey finishes. At just 2.8 inches tall, it slips neatly under most TVs, while wall-mounting options allow for flexible integration.
It’s stylish enough to pass for modern furniture, and with no external sub or surrounds required, the aesthetic remains clean and cable-free.
Connectivity: Streaming and Setup Made Simple
KEF’s W2 Wireless Platform powers streaming and multi-room playback, with native support for:
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Spotify Connect
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Tidal Connect
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Qobuz
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Amazon Music
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Deezer
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HIGHRESAUDIO
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Internet radio and podcasts
For wired sources, the XIO includes:
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HDMI eARC (24-bit / 192kHz)
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TOSLINK Optical
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RCA subwoofer output
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USB-C (service)
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Ethernet (RJ45)
You can also wirelessly pair any KEF subwoofer using the optional KW1 RX receiver for extra bass without cables.
Control: App, Remote, and More
The XIO is easy to manage using three control surfaces:
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Onboard Touch Panel – Simple controls for volume and input switching.
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Included Remote – IR-based remote with mode toggles.
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KEF Connect App – Full EQ adjustment, firmware updates, and streaming control.
The app includes Normal and Expert modes. Users can fine-tune presets or dive into advanced frequency bands for room-specific optimization.
Sound Modes:
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Dialogue Mode – Boosts speech clarity.
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Night Mode – Reduces dynamics for quiet listening.
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Music Mode – Warmer tuning optimized for stereo tracks.
Performance: How Does It Stack Up?
We haven’t yet tested the XIO ourselves, but based on the specs and KEF’s track record, expectations are high. Here’s how it compares to the leading competition:
| KEF XIO | Sonos Arc Ultra | Sennheiser Ambeo Max | Nakamichi Dragon | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,499 | ~$1,199 | $2,499 | $3,899 |
| Channels | 5.1.2 | 7.1.4 (virtual) | 5.1.4 (real drivers) | 11.4.6 |
| Atmos Drivers | Upfiring | Virtual Height | Upfiring | Upfiring + Surrounds |
| Subwoofer | Integrated | Optional (Sonos Sub) | Integrated 6.5” | Dual 8” wireless subs |
| Rear Surrounds | None | Optional | None | Quad surrounds |
| Room Calibration | Intelligent Placement Tech | Trueplay (iOS only) | Room Calibration Mic | Spatial Surround Processing |
| Streaming | Tidal, Qobuz, Spotify, more | Apple Music, Spotify | Chromecast, Tidal, Spotify | Chromecast |
| Expandability | Subwoofer only | Full ecosystem | None | Full discrete system |
| Bass Tech | Force-Cancelled VECO | Standard | AMBEO Processing | True discrete subs |
| Build Quality | Premium aluminum | Plastic | Premium plastic | Mixed materials |
Key Takeaways:
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Against Sonos Arc Ultra, the KEF XIO wins on hardware fidelity, build quality, and native high-res streaming. But Sonos has the edge in multiroom and Apple ecosystem integration—for half the price.
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Against Sennheiser Ambeo Max, the XIO competes directly. The Ambeo has deeper bass from a larger cabinet, but lacks the slim profile and room calibration intelligence of the XIO.
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Against Nakamichi Dragon, the XIO isn’t in the same league for sheer channel count, SPL, or physical subwoofers. The Dragon is a discrete, multi-box system masquerading as a soundbar and best suited for massive home theaters.
Downsides & Limitations
While the XIO delivers exceptional hardware, there are a few caveats:
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No Wireless Surround Expansion – Despite KEF’s success with the LSX II Wireless and LS50 Wireless II, the XIO does not allow for wireless rear expansion—something Sonos and Nakamichi support.
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No HDMI Passthrough – There’s a single HDMI eARC input only, so you’ll need to route all video through your TV’s HDMI hub.
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No Voice Assistant Built-In – There’s no onboard Alexa or Google Assistant, though streaming from their apps is supported.
Availability and Pricing
The KEF XIO is available now for $2,499.99 USD / £1,999 GBP via KEF.com and select retailers. Global rollout begins in July 2025 with availability in North America, Europe, and select Asia-Pacific markets.
Color options at launch include:
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Slate Black
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Silver Grey
Final Verdict: Premium Price, Premium Execution—But Not Quite Perfect
KEF’s XIO soundbar is a compelling first entry into the premium home theater space. It delivers big on design, build quality, and high-fidelity audio in a standalone package that appeals to discerning listeners.
That said, it’s not quite the modular ecosystem some may expect at this price. There’s no wireless rear speaker support or voice assistant integration, and bass lovers may still crave an external sub (fortunately, KEF makes excellent ones).
But judged purely on audio engineering and fidelity? The XIO is among the finest one-piece soundbars you can buy today. If your budget allows and you’re seeking a cinematic experience with audiophile roots, the XIO is a worthy contender.
TL;DR: KEF XIO Soundbar
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KEF’s first powered soundbar: 5.1.2 channels, $2,499.99
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Features Uni-Q MX drivers, P185 LF with VECO, MIE for Cinema
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Supports Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, 360 Reality Audio
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W2 platform supports Tidal, Qobuz, Spotify Connect, more
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HDMI eARC, optical, and wireless subwoofer output
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Slim design, rich build quality, excellent room calibration
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No support for wireless rears or HDMI passthrough
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Competes with Sonos Arc Ultra, Sennheiser Ambeo Max, and Nakamichi Dragon
