I just tested KEF’s first soundbar — it’s $2,500 and one of the best home cinema products I’ve ever used

The KEF XIO is one of the best soundbars I’ve ever had the pleasure of using. Review over, that’s me done for the day. I jest, I jest — but seriously, if you want the best single-product home cinema experience possible, you’ll want to know about the KEF XIO.

At 23 pounds, almost 50 inches long, and 6.5 inches deep, this is a pretty hefty soundbar. You’ll ideally want at least a 55-inch TV (if not bigger) and a large entertainment unit or TV stand to house it. But if you’ve got those things, a 4K Blu-ray player to take full advantage of the immense sound, and $2,500? Then, yes, you will not be disappointed by the KEF XIO.

I knocked off a star for some app connectivity issues, which I’ll go into later on, but if you’re all about getting the best home sound without fiddling around with playback modes, you’ll want to find out more in this KEF XIO review.

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KEF XIO review: Specs

KEF XIO review: Price & availability

The KEF XIO is a whopping $2,499 from Amazon U.S. and £1,999 from Richer Sounds and Sevenoaks in the U.K..

This is a premium soundbar with premium sound to match. If $2,499 is a little out of your price range but you still want a “best of the best” home cinema setup, I’d recommend checking out the JBL Bar 1300X ($1,799), or the Samsung QS750F ($899).

I’ve also tested the Yamaha True X Surround 90A ($3,499), which is the best Dolby Atmos soundbar I’ve ever reviewed. However, it’s an eye-watering $1,000 more expensive than the KEF XIO, so I’d recommend the XIO over the True X Surround 90A.

KEF XIO review: Design

The KEF XIO is a long, heavy soundbar. You’ll need a 55” TV at minimum, or else it'll look at little odd having such a huge soundbar underneath. I tested it with a 55” Amazon Ember QLED, and it was almost too small. I’d recommend a 60-incher and up.

As you might expect for $2,499, the KEF XIO is fantastically well-made, with a minimalistic yet modern appearance. There’s a nice mesh panel that diffuses sibilant treble and looks stylish, and a control panel on the top of the soundbar. It’s available in black or gray — as you can see from the images, I tested gray — and I have no reservations about recommending it based on looks alone.

The KEF XIO has a subwoofer out (alongside a built-in sub), which you can theoretically connect to any compatible subwoofer. KEF offers the KW2 wireless adaptor, which can wirelessly connect any KEF subwoofer to the XIO and the Connect app. You can also get the KEF KC92 ($2,499) which connects to KEF’s smart system without a separate adaptor.

Controls

The remote is much bigger than Samsung, Bose, and Sony’s soundbar remotes. It’s also much more premium-looking than Bose’s remote. It’s not quite as innovative as Samsung’s new solar-powered remotes, but it still looks and feels great.

You can also use the KEF Connect app as a mobile remote (for certain inputs), which I’ll discuss in detail in the ‘App’ section below.

Features

As soon as I set up the XIO with the KEF Connect app — which was seamless and stress-free, phew — the soundbar automatically calibrated itself for my space. If you have particularly discerning ears, I’d recommend getting a soundbar with this calibration software built-in, like the JBL Bar 1300X, the KEF XIO, or the Klipsch Flexus Core 300.

After inputting room size and soundbar height information into the app, the soundbar adjusted itself using built-in microphones and a gyroscope. This is an essential feature if you’re after “perfect” sound quality.

The XIO offers a range of sound-related features, too. Of course, you’ve got the standard EQs: ‘Dialogue’, ‘Night’, ‘Movie’, and ‘Direct’. I pretty much only listened using ‘Movie’, as dialogue was already clear enough. As you’ll find out soon, the KEF XIO’s sound is astronomically good. I have nothing bad to say about the sound.

KEF XIO review: App

The KEF XIO uses KEF Connect, the app also used for KEF speakers like the LSX II ($1,499). The app is easy enough to use, and connecting to the soundbar itself was instantaneous. Some apps are better than others, though, and I feel Samsung’s SmartThings app has more options and is easier to navigate.

Even so, there’s a ton of customization options in KEF Connect — as long as you’re listening in certain playback modes. Weirdly, customization is not available in TV mode, only Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.

This is due to HDMI CEC incompatibility, but I connected the XIO to HDMI eARC in two different TVs and had the same issue. I adjusted both TV settings, reset both TV CEC settings, but still, I was unable to control the soundbar via my phone while watching TV.

This is a major issue for such a premium soundbar — and the main thing holding it back from being a 5-star product.

KEF XIO review: Sound quality

I test every soundbar with “Top Gun: Maverick” on 4K UHD Blu-Ray (and then two extras), TV shows on Netflix, and music on Qobuz via AirPlay.

Movies

The KEF XIO is one of the best soundbars I’ve ever used for movies. I have nothing bad to say about the sound quality here.

During "Top Gun: Maverick", I listened with ‘Movie’ and ‘Dialogue’ EQ, but quickly switched back to ‘Movie’. The soundscape was incredibly wide during the first scene; I could feel the planes flying across the room, I could hear the high-frequency diegetic sound effects like whipping ropes and clinking metals without straining. The groovy bass of ‘Danger Zone’ pounded through the soundbar but let the softer sound effects shine.

Dialogue was clear, even without ‘Dialogue’ mode, even during the radio scenes. Flying scenes sounded outrageously good; the bass rumbled in my chest when the jets took off.

Dolby Atmos performance is utterly fantastic, especially in "Top Gun: Maverick". Every single flying scene had unbeatable height and width, and the planes seemed to fly over my head. I was incredibly impressed with this. For $2,499, you’d hope so — but I’m pleased to report that the soundbar is worth it.

I also watched “How to Train Your Dragon (2025)” and “The Running Man (2025)”. During “How to Train Your Dragon”, the soft footsteps across the mossy ground were audible over the choral OST. In one scene, I could hear diegetic murmured chatter from behind me, while the central characters’ conversation was front and center on the mix. The flying scenes were particularly impressive, with the brass-led soundtrack booming through the soundbar without overpowering the on-screen sounds.

In “The Running Man”, I could hear the static hum of the retro TVs and on-screen lights. High-frequency diegetic sound effects like typing, opening doors, and pinging bullets carried across the soundstage well.

Although this movie didn’t have the opportunity for super impressive Dolby Atmos — unlike "Top Gun: Maverick" — I was still immersed in the sound.

TV

To test standard mix, non-Atmos-mixed sound, I watched TV on Netflix and ITVX (a U.K. TV channel like BBC).

I watched “Yellowjackets” on ITVX, a horror/thriller show. The soundtrack has an eerie, string-heavy, bass-heavy production, and I never struggled to hear dialogue over the OST. All the string instruments were clear, with audible vibration in the notes, and a controlled yet propulsive bass response.

Even in basic 2.0 configuration (ITVX’s output), the show sounded fantastic.

I also watched “Yellowjackets” on Paramount+ on 5.1, and the difference was astounding. On Paramount+, the dialogue was richer and warmer, and the high-frequency sound effects were clearer.

While the KEF XIO performs well even with 2.0 channel output, it really shines with 5.1 and above (obviously).

Music

I would best describe music performance as ‘okay’. No soundbar really excels with music — it’s not what they’re designed to do — but the KEF XIO isn’t particularly bad or good.

‘Genesis’ by Grimes had great treble performance; the synth notes tinkled around the room like a glitch-pop fairy powered by Ableton and hallucinogens. Although I longed for a bit more oomph in the bass, I would have no qualms about listening to music like this while cleaning or cooking.

After, I switched genre to rock and played ‘Unravelling’ by Muse. Again, I wanted a touch more bass, but the vocals and synth arpeggios sounded divine. You won’t be filling any floors with music like this, but, again — it’s a soundbar.

For blockbuster movies, and even standard-defintion TV shows, the KEF XIO is a sure-fire winner. It sounds sublime.

KEF XIO review: Verdict

If you’re willing to overlook potential app connectivity issues — I personally never lean towards downloading ‘smart’ apps, so this is a non-issue for me — then you won’t be disappointed with the KEF XIO. This is a mighty, mighty soundbar. It’d be a great centerpiece of your home cinema setup.

The soundbar has enviable width and height, with unbeatable dialogue clarity and powerful bass that doesn’t overpower subtle high-frequency sound effects. The XIO is everything I want in a soundbar, and I have zero reservations about recommend it.

If you can afford it, the XIO is a formidable sonic beast that will mark its territory fearlessly. Can you get similar enough performance for less? Sure. Will those alternatives make you go “Ooh, that sounds so good”? Probably not. It’s gotta be the KEF XIO.