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KEF Unveils Innovative New ‘XIO’ Soundbar With Exclusive Intelligent Placement Technology
British Audio brand KEF has recently unveiled its latest innovation in the soundbar world, introducing a new high-end 5.1.2-channel soundbar that promises to deliver an unparalleled cinematic experience for both movie and music enthusiasts alike. The XIO soundbar, priced at $2,499.99/£1,999, boasts an array of cutting-edge technologies designed to optimize its performance across the three most popular spatial audio formats: Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and Sony 360 Reality Audio.
The XIO’s impressive array of features starts with a custom-designed 12-channel amplifier setup that provides accurate and nuanced sound reproduction. The brand has taken the liberty of including an intelligent placement technology (IPT), which is designed to adapt the soundstage to accommodate any objects placed around the bar, ensuring a precise sonic experience regardless of furniture or decor configurations.
This exclusive feature allows users to optimize their listening experience without manual adjustments. It’s worth noting that this level of customization typically requires professional calibration and equipment setup knowledge – not usually something you’d expect from consumer-grade audio solutions. The XIO also includes Night, Music, and Dialogue modes, all designed to enhance the overall auditory experience.
The soundbar’s sleek design is characterized by a slim vertical profile, with an aluminum top plate and splash-proof fabric available in Slate Black and Silver Grey color options. Despite its streamlined appearance, KEF claims that the device can still deliver bass performance equivalent to a standard four-by-four-inch low-frequency driver thanks to the innovative arrangement of twin P185 LF drivers.
These dual drivers are positioned back-to-back in a mechanical distortion-reducing force-cancelling configuration and enhanced by P-Flex technology. The system essentially resists acoustic pressure within the cabinet, enabling greater precision and reducing potential distortion.
Additionally, KEF has incorporated its proprietary Velocity Control Technology (VCT) into the device. This sensor-based solution monitors cone motion and deploys a negative feedback loop as necessary to minimize distortion and compression effects.
Six KEF Uni-Q MX drivers have been integrated into the soundbar to deliver an expansive and accurate soundstage with crisp, room-filling audio. These drivers boast advanced decouplers engineered specifically for the XIO’s crossover design, allowing the low-frequency cone and high-frequency dome to move freely while maintaining treble precision.
Furthermore, KEF has developed a proprietary Music Integrity Engine (MIE) for Cinema, designed to combine processing such as multi-channel, virtualization, and adaptive placement. The goal of this innovative feature is to create an immersive three-dimensional sound space even in the most challenging room environments.
In terms of connectivity options, users can expect an eARC-capable HDMI port, optical digital audio output, and RCA subwoofer line out, ensuring seamless integration with external devices. Moreover, it’s possible to connect an external subwoofer via the provided RCA line out.
One innovative aspect is KEF’s Wireless Platform W2, adapted from their LS Wireless Speaker Collection for optimized performance across multiple streaming services including Tidal, Amazon Music, Qobuz, and Deezer.
Source: www.forbes.com
