KEF XIO Soundbar

Unflatten the Sound You Hear from Movies, TV Shows, Live Sports, and More with the KEF XIO: Intelligent Soundbar Features Spatial Support, 12 Class D Amplifiers, and 5.1.2 Configuration 

Hear the dialog, effects, soundtracks, and background ambience producers and directors want you to notice reproduced with stellar clarity, dynamics, imaging, and fullness with the KEF XIO Soundbar. A soundbar in description only, XIO performs like one of the British audio company’s revered compact hi-fi systems — with none of the extra boxes or wires. Powered by a 5.1.2 configuration with spatial audio support for Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and Sony 360 Reality Audio, the slender 2.8 x 47.6 x 6.5-inch (HWD) XIO boasts 12 Class D amplifiers as well as innovations such as KEF’s Uni-Q MX driver array, P185 LF drivers with P-Flex technology, patent-pending Velocity Control Technology (VECO), and the Music Integrity Engine (MIE) for Cinema.

OK, you may be thinking, that’s an impressive list with fancy jargon, but how does it impact me if I’m watching live sports, enjoying a classic film, or just chilling while streaming Netflix? In short, what you once perceived as flat, lifeless, tunnel-visioned sound coming from your television or cheap soundbar will be rich, multi-dimensional, and immediate. Words and vocals will be crisp and pristine; the midrange will be accurate and transparent; and the low end, including bass, will come across taut, deep, and true. 

Inside the 23.1-pound XIO, three Uni-Q MX drivers and two full-range drivers produce an expansive soundstage across the main channels while four P185 LF drivers handle the lower frequencies. Two Uni-Q MX drivers are dedicated to the overhead channels, letting you get the complete picture when it comes to spatial audio and immersive home-theater experiences. XIO also includes a dedicated Dialogue Mode within the EQ presets to enhance speech while reducing background noise. Plus, on-board up-mixing technology converts audio from mono/stereo sources into multi-channel formats. 

And worry not about the room acoustics in which you use XIO. Intelligent Placement Technology helps XIO deliver the best-possible results no matter the location, as the built-in calibration tool automatically adapts the output based on the objects around the soundbar. For further flexibility, XIO can be both wall-mounted or set on a shelf/cabinet. HDMI eARC, optical, and Ethernet inputs, an RCA subwoofer output, and the ability to wirelessly pair any KEF subwoofer wit the KEF KW2 RX receiver adds to the convenience factor. 

In the mood for music? Stream Spotify, TIDAL, Qobuz, Amazon Music, and more at up to 24-bit/384kHz. Navigation is equally easy, with control accessible via the top panel, supplied remote, or the KEF Connect app. Wireless connectivity with AirPlay, Google Cast, Bluetooth 5.3, and UPnP are also all a simple setup away. Completed with an aluminum top plate and splash-proof fabric, XIO benefits from a beautifully minimalist style that speaks to its focus on exceptional sound.

Read more about the specifics below or call us at 312-433-0200 for additional information on a soundbar that is that — and much more. 

“[The] XIO bursts into the soundbar segment like a velociraptor with a rocket launcher riding a Harley-Davidson! It is completely unexpected, highly impactful, and a little absurd – but cements itself as the soundbar to beat at this price-point, delivering exceptional performance with far less compromise than you might expect for the form-factor.”
—Stereonet, Applause Award 

Precision Where It Counts 
XIO features six Uni-Q MX drivers, the miniature version of KEF's iconic Uni-Q technology. These drivers ensure a balanced soundstage, delivering crisp, accurate audio across the entire room. The decoupler, engineered as a precise crossover, separates the LF cone and HF tweeter dome, allowing the diaphragm to move freely at low frequencies while isolating the dome for high-frequency precision. As a result, XIO delivers full-bodied, high-fidelity sound for everyone to enjoy no matter where they are in the room. 

Sound Correction Technology 
KEF's patent-pending Velocity Control Technology (VECO) is the built-in sensor at the heart of the P185 LF driver. VECO monitors cone motion in real-time and employs a negative feedback loop to minimize distortion and compression. This ensures that the signal reaching the driver's voice coil includes the intended musical signal alongside a correction for any deviations in the driver's motion, maintaining system stability. As a result, distortion is significantly reduced, delivering undistorted clarity. 

Smart and Powerful 
Music Integrity Engine (MIE) for Cinema is an in-house written suite of DSP algorithms specially tuned for XIO that offers multi-channel processing, virtualization, and adaptive placement capability. Users benefit from immersive soundscapes that enhance movie watching and the ability to enjoy consistent audio quality regardless of the soundbar's placement. 

Deep, Detailed Bass in a Slim Profile 
Enhanced with KEF's P-Flex technology adapted from KEF's award-winning KC62 and KC92 subwoofers,  the P185 LF driver ensures deep and detailed bass performance, offering a level of clarity and power rarely found in a soundbar. The high aspect-ratio racetrack design enables an ultra-slim profile while delivering performance equivalent to a four-inch LF driver. The ample cabinet space allows for twin P185 drivers to be positioned back-to-back in a force-cancelling configuration that significantly reduces mechanical vibrations. This results in resonant low-frequency response free from unwanted distortions. 

Stream Anything
The W2 Wireless Platform, adapted from the LS Wireless Collection, offers seamless access to a variety of music services, including Tidal, Amazon Music, Qobuz, and Deezer. You can also stream directly from native apps like Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, and QPlay. Enhanced with Dolby Atmos and Sony 360 Reality Audio, XIO creates immersive 3D soundscapes from your music.

A Perfect Fit with Today's TVs
Designed for flexibility, XIO offers HDMI eARC, optical, and the option of RCA subwoofer output. While the soundbar itself has sufficient bass for the majority of use cases, for those looking for that bit extra, any KEF subwoofer can be paired wirelessly with the KW2 RX receiver, an accessory specifically designed to ensure effortless and reliable connectivity.

Complete Control Made Simple
Navigate settings, adjust audio preferences and manage playback easily through the XIO top panel, via the remote or through the KEF Connect app. Tune your listening experience to suit your taste and your space, and make your preferred adjustments easily, via the normal and expert modes on the EQ settings. Presets include Dialogue mode, which focuses on enhancing speech clarity and intelligibility, ideal for TV shows, documentaries, and news; and Night mode, which is tailored for late-night viewing or situations where lower volume levels are necessary.