KEF XIO Soundbar Listening Impressions - KEF Music Lounge

ListenUp visited the KEF Music Lounge in New Jersey for an exclusive first listen to KEF’s XIO Soundbar - KEF's first ever active soundbar system. Watch the video where KEF’s Product Training Manager Ben breaks down the features and details of the new KEF XIO Soundbar and members of the ListenUp team give their listening impressions. 

Spoiler alert: The new KEF XIO Soundbar is the real deal.

Not Just any Soundbar - A KEF Soundbar

Right out of the gate, KEF’s Product Training Manager Ben framed the XIO with one key message:

“If we’re going to make a soundbar, it’s not just going to be any soundbar - it’s going to be a KEF soundbar.”

Translation? The KEF XIO is built from the ground up with KEF’s high-performance audio technology. This isn’t a product rushed to market to check a box because everyone else is doing it. It’s an 820-watt, 5.1.2-channel powerhouse equipped with Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and a host of immersive audio formats. The XIO not only places you in the scenes of your favorite movies, it places you at the concert of your favorite albums. 

KEF XIO Soundbar Listening Impressions from the ListenUp Team

What was it like to actually listen to the KEF XIO? In a word: Outstanding!

“The soundstage was huge - way wider than I expected,” one ListenUp team member, Andy, noted. “Dialog was crystal clear, and the Atmos effects felt present and immersive, not gimmicky.”

Pierce, another ListenUp team member stated,

“It sounded like a full speaker setup. Not like a soundbar trying to sound big - but like actual speakers. It didn’t compress at high volumes, and the clarity held up even when we pushed it.”

We listened to music, movies, and more - and in every scenario, the XIO showed off its ability to be versatile without compromise. Whether you're throwing on your favorite jazz album or streaming the latest action movie, the XIO delivers rich detail, real dynamics, and zero listener fatigue.

"The KEF XIO Soundbar is a step up in soundbar technology. It's the first time I've heard a soundbar that can compete with the sound of a full home theater system. The bass coming out of the new racetrack driver technology is seriously impressive. If you're looking at buying a soundbar and you want the best, the KEF XIO is it." - Nate M, ListenUp Team Member

Even more impressive? All of these listening impressions came from listening to the KEF XIO in a large room. The XIO sound filled the space with ease. Add a subwoofer, and the XIO opens up even further.

The Technology Behind the KEF XIO Soundbar

At the heart of the XIO are six of KEF’s newly developed Uni-Q MX drivers - a refined take on their iconic point-source technology, specially adapted for a low-profile soundbar format. Whether wall-mounted or sitting on a shelf, the XIO automatically detects its orientation with a built-in gyroscope and adjusts the driver configuration to match.

KEF also engineered a brand-new low-frequency solution: four, two-by-seven-inch P185 racetrack drivers, powered by their VECO (Velocity Control) technology. These woofers drastically reduce distortion - by up to 99.8%, according to KEF - delivering tight, accurate bass without muddying the mix.

Setup is simple, too. With the KEF Connect app, onboard microphones, and Intelligent Placement Technology, the XIO measures the room and optimizes its EQ in real-time. No mic stands. No guesswork. Just seamless performance.

Streaming, Connectivity, and Expandability

Out of the box, the XIO supports AirPlay 2, Google Chromecast, Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, Qobuz, Internet Radio, and even podcasts - making it a true hub for hi-res wireless audio.

Want to add more low end? The XIO has you covered with both wired RCA subwoofer output and wireless connectivity via KEF’s KW1 wireless system. Pair it with a KEF subwoofer and the soundbar offloads bass duties intelligently, freeing up even more dynamic headroom for the rest of the system.

Designed to Integrate Seamlessly

Looks matter, too - and the XIO’s design hits all the right notes. It’s available in two finishes to suit most modern interiors, and its minimal design means it won’t fight for attention. And thanks to that built-in gyroscope and intelligent driver switching, whether you mount it or place it on a console, performance stays consistent.

Plus, if you’re already running KEF speakers in other rooms - bookshelves, towers, architectural - the XIO fits in beautifully. Sonically and stylistically, it feels like a natural extension of KEF’s wider lineup.

The KEF XIO - Sound Done Right

KEF took their time developing the XIO - and it shows. They didn’t rush this product out just to have a seat at the soundbar table. Instead, they waited until they could deliver something that upholds their brand’s legacy of performance and innovation.

At its price point, the KEF XIO is top of it's class. If you’re short on space but serious about sound, this might be the only soundbar you’ll ever need. Buy a new KEF XIO Soundbar at Authorized Online KEF Dealer ListenUp today. 

Read more about the KEF XIO Soundbar from our KEF XIO Soundbar Launch post and come hear it for yourself at your local ListenUp showroom.