KEF may be late in the soundbar game, but they were quick to hop on the portable Bluetooth speaker hype train in 2015. But I guess the audiophile company was busy turning out awesome monitors and floor-standing speakers, leaving its Muo with no successor—until now.
That’s right. It has been a decade, and KEF has finally released a second-generation Muo. The new Muo builds on the original, but with updated tech—obviously. For starters, wireless quality gets a boost from Bluetooth 5.4 aptX Adaptive, and the battery now offers up to 24 hours of playtime with quick charging to boot. A 15-minute quick charge provides 3 hours of listening.
In the audio reproduction department, KEF’s signature HiFi sound is delivered through a dedicated dome tweeter and a highly efficient Racetrack bass driver, bolstered by the Music Integrity Engine (MIE), which features a proprietary suite of DSP algorithms specially tuned with technology from KEF’s flagship LS60 wireless speakers.
The bass works in synergy with KEF’s P-Flex Surround tech, adapted from the brand’s flagship subwoofers, allowing for precise cone movement and delivering impressively deep, controlled, and detailed bass. Meanwhile, the tweeter promises to improve high-frequency performance, ensuring a natural and clear reproduction of every musical detail in any listening situation.
The new Muo is portable, but man, with Bang & Olufsen vibes, it does not feel like it should be out there, exposed to all the risks. Thankfully, it is not all pretty face as far as aesthetics go. It can withstand some outdoor challenges, such as rain, sand, and spills, thanks to its IP67-rated waterproof and dustproof design.
It is built rugged, allowing this little guy to operate between -20 °C and 45 °C—in case you do need some BGM for your TikTok shorts in the Arctic regions or at some godforsaken deserts.
Other notables include USB Type-C for laptop connection, a built-in microphone with advanced noise and echo cancellation for speakerphone duty, support for True Wireless Stereo by pairing two units together, and support for Google Fast Pair and Microsoft Swift Pair. The device works with the KEF Connect App for managing speaker settings and accessing the latest firmware updates. You can also find a selection of EQ presets in the app.
Sounds good so far? I think so, too, but such audio bliss does not come cheap. You are looking at a cool US$249.99. That’s a whole lot of money for any Bluetooth speaker.
Images: KEF.
