KEF XIO

Posted 10 July 2025
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The KEF XIO is the brand’s first Dolby Atmos soundbar—a premium, all in one solution designed to deliver both immersive home theatre performance and high-fidelity music playback. It sits at the higher end of the market, competing directly with the likes of the Sonos Arc Ultra

Soundbar vom HiFi-Profi: KEF stellt XIO für über 2.000 Euro vor - HIFI.DE

Design and Build Quality

The XIO is a substantial piece of equipment—about 1210×165×70mm and weighing 10.5kg—yet it maintains a slim profile and elegant design. It’s available in Slate Black or Silver Grey, wrapped in splash resistant fabric with a brushed aluminum top. Built-in gyroscopes and sensors intelligently detect mounting orientation to optimize driver use for wall or shelf placement 

 

Drivers, Amplification & DSP

Featuring a 5.1.2-channel setup, the XIO houses twelve ClassD amplifiers across:

  • Six 50mm Uni Q MX drivers (three front, three Atmos/center)

  • Two additional 50mm full range drivers

  • Four 50×180mm P185 low frequency woofers

KEF’s force cancelling P Flex woofer design and Velocity Control Technology (VECO) ensure tight, distortion?free bass. The onboard Music Integrity Engine (MIE) and Intelligent Placement Technology (IPT) DSP algorithms automatically calibrate output based on room placement for balanced performance.

 

 

Connectivity and Streaming

Connectivity includes HDMI 2.1 eARC for uncompressed Atmos and DTS:X, an optical input, Ethernet, Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi 6, and UPnP. Streaming support covers Spotify, Tidal, Qobuz, Amazon Music, Deezer, and more, via AirPlay 2, Google Cast, and native streaming connectivity. A wireless subwoofer output is also provided, and KEF plans to offer optional wireless rear satellite deployment later in the year.

Control is available through the KEF Connect app, the included remote, or the top-panel buttons, offering EQ presets like Dialogue, Music, Movie, and Night Mode.

 

Sound Quality

Movie Performance:
Early reviews highlight powerful, detailed soundstage with rich bass and clarity. One Wired critic remarked on “huge” sound, emphasizing nuanced explosions in Godzilla: Minus One and precise Atmos imaging even without a subwoofer

Music Performance:
KEF applied its hifi heritage to ensure musical finesse. Reviewers noted refined reproduction of live jazz and stereo content, balancing cinematic immersion with musical integrity 

KEF Xio Review: So Good, So Expensive | WIRED

Conclusion

The KEF XIO combines hifi engineering with drama-ready Dolby Atmos in a sleek, all in one form. It delivers exceptional sound for both entertainment and music lovers, outperforming many competitors in clarity, staging, and calibration features. Its premium price confines it to a niche of audiophiles who want top-tier performance without a multi-component setup.

For those seeking the ultimate compact solution with cinematic power and musical finesse—and who don’t mind the investment—the XIO stands as a compelling flagship soundbar.

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