KEF XIO vs Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar Max: which premium soundbar should you buy?

Strap in for a soundbar battle for the ages

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The five-star Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar Max has been our favourite premium soundbar since we tested it back in 2019, when it earned a What Hi-Fi? Award for its overall excellent performance.

Fast forward to 2025, and it has remained on that esteemed list ever since.

However a new player has entered the scene that could well trump the Sennheiser - and anyone familiar with the world of hi-fi should recognise the name.

The KEF XIO directly challenges our longtime favourite with a similar specification sheet in a smaller package. Can the Ambeo Soundbar Max hold its own against this newcomer?

KEF XIO vs Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar Max: price

The XIO launched at £1999. It is still early days for the product, but we are hoping to see its price drop during sales events such as Black Friday. Higher up the price ladder is the Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar Max which was first released at £2199. Since its launch, we have seen that price drop to as low as £1549 in the occasional sale. It is now regularly available for £1999, placing it in direct competition with the KEF.

WINNER: Draw

KEF XIO vs Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar Max: build

Both soundbars take very different approaches when it comes to their design.

The Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar Max is quite the beast, weighing in at 18.5kg. The brand has opted for this beefy build to negate the need for an external subwoofer, instead favouring large drivers capable of covering a far more significant portion of the frequency range.