KEF is stepping into the portable speaker arena with the new Muo, a follow-up to their original attempt. The company might be late to the party—Sonos, Marshall, JBL, DALI, and Soundcore have already set a high bar—but the Muo brings some unique touches. Compact enough to slip into a bag yet designed to fill a room, it pairs KEF’s reputation for high-fidelity sound with a sculpted form by Ross Lovegrove, inspired by the iconic Muon HiFi speakers.
Unlike much of the competition, this portable is built from recycled plastics sourced from everyday waste, from old bottles to outdated electronics, making it as eco-conscious as it is portable for only $249.99 USD.
The new KEF Muo measures 216 × 82 × 59 mm (about 8.5 × 3.2 × 2.3 inches) and weighs in at 740 grams, or 1.6 pounds—portable without feeling flimsy. Inside, KEF has gone with a two-driver setup: a 20 mm tweeter handles the highs, while a 58 × 117 mm racetrack driver, supported by P-Flex surround, covers mid and low frequencies.
Power comes from a pair of Class D amplifiers; 10 watts for the tweeter and 30 watts for the mid/low driver. KEF rates maximum SPL at 90 dB (±3 dB) at one meter, with a frequency response of 43 Hz to 20 kHz (±3 dB at 85 dB/1m).
That’s ambitious for a portable of this size, but it at least shows KEF is aiming for real range rather than the usual boomy portable sound.
“Muo reflects our ongoing commitment to audio quality and considered design. As the next generation of our portable speaker, it builds on KEF’s acoustic engineering, making high-fidelity sound accessible wherever it’s needed,” says Grace Lo, President and Head of Global Marketing at KEF. “With seven color options, Muo pairs performance with personal style.”
KEF Muo: Portable Speaker with “Real” HiFi Engineering
KEF is selling the new Muo as a portable with real Hi-Fi chops, and to their credit, it’s not just marketing fluff. A large racetrack driver handles the heavy lifting, moving air efficiently for clear sound while keeping distortion in check—at least at moderate volume. P-Flex Surround, borrowed from KEF’s KC62 and KC92 subwoofers, uses a pleated surround to resist internal air pressure, giving the cone the freedom to follow the signal instead of wobbling around like cheap plastic.
A dedicated tweeter takes care of the top end, keeping highs sharp and mids full-bodied without veering into thin or harsh territory. On the processing side, KEF drops in its Music Integrity Engine (MIE), a DSP suite tuned specifically for the Muo.
The same limiter and Dynamic Bass Boost from the LS60 Wireless flagship show up here, giving the speaker a fighting chance at delivering detail and control instead of bloated mess.
Built to Survive the Day (and the Weather)
The new Muo doesn’t just play music—it’s built to keep going. KEF claims 24 hours of playback on a full charge, with a two-hour top-up bringing it back to full strength. If you’re in a rush, a 15-minute charge squeezes out about three hours, which is actually useful if you forget to charge it overnight before you set out to the beach.
KEF rates the Muo for operation between –20°C and 45°C, so it’ll run in freezing winters or a heatwave barbecue, not that most people will push it that far. Coastal Nova Scotia, however, will give it plenty of chances once the deep cold sets in.
KEF Muo: Smarter Connectivity, Simple Control
Connectivity is handled by Bluetooth 5.4 with aptX Adaptive, SBC, and AAC codec support. The speaker works with Google Fast Pair and Microsoft Swift Pair for easy setup, and the KEF Connect app manages settings and firmware updates. Wired playback and charging both run through the USB-C port, which supports up to 48 kHz/24-bit audio depending on the source.
Pairing two Muo speakers gives you a proper stereo setup with defined left and right channels—an actual improvement over the “fake stereo” some portables claim. For larger setups, Auracast support lets multiple Muo units link together, though you’ll need a compatible Android device to pull it off.
On the practical side, a built-in microphone handles calls with noise and echo cancellation, so you don’t sound like you’re trapped in a tin can. Control and firmware updates are handled through the KEF Connect app, which keeps everything in one place.
Ross Lovegrove’s Iconic Design Goes Portable
Ross Lovegrove’s influence is clear—the Muo borrows its sculpted silhouette from KEF’s Muon HiFi speaker but shrinks it into something you can actually carry. The EQ adjusts automatically whether the speaker is standing up or lying flat, so you don’t have to think about placement.
The build leans on premium aluminum, and KEF offers seven finishes—Silver Dusk, Amber Haze, Orange Moon, Blue Aura, Moss Green, Cocoa Brown, and Midnight Black—each paired with tone-on-tone straps. It’s a design-first product, but one that doesn’t forget function.
KEF also makes a sustainability play this time around. The Muo uses recycled plastic sourced from bottles, old appliances, and even retired smartphones and laptops. It’s not saving the planet, but at least it’s not adding more waste to it.
KEF Muo – Key Specs
- Size & Weight: 216 × 82 × 59 mm (8.5 × 3.2 × 2.3 in), 740 g (1.6 lbs)
- Drivers:
- 20 mm tweeter (HF)
- 58 × 117 mm racetrack driver with P-Flex (MF/LF)
- Amplification:
- 10W Class D (tweeter)
- 30W Class D (mid/low)
- Performance:
- Max SPL: 90 ±3 dB (at 1m)
- Frequency response: 43 Hz – 20 kHz (±3 dB at 85 dB/1m)
- Durability: IP67 waterproof/dustproof, operates –20°C to 45°C
- Sustainability: Plastic parts use post-consumer recycled materials
- Connectivity:
- Bluetooth 5.4 (aptX Adaptive, SBC, AAC)
- USB-C (charging & playback, up to 48 kHz/24-bit)
- Google Fast Pair & Microsoft Swift Pair
- KEF Connect app (settings & updates)
- Pairing Options: True Wireless Stereo (two speakers) or Auracast™ multi-speaker (device-dependent)
- Battery:
- Up to 24 hours (moderate volume)
- 2 hours full charge (20V/1.5A)
- 15 min fast charge = ~3 hours playback
- Extras: Built-in microphone with noise & echo cancellation
The Bottom Line
KEF’s new Muo has the right mix of tech, durability, and design pedigree to make it a serious portable option. At $249.99, it’s priced fairly for a speaker with solid driver engineering, Bluetooth 5.4 with aptX Adaptive, real weather resistance, and Ross Lovegrove’s unmistakable design language. The recycled materials add some eco-cred, and 24-hour battery life makes it practical.
Still, this isn’t an empty playing field—JBL, Sonos, DALI, and even Devialet already dominate the portable space. KEF may have the chops, but it’ll need more than good looks and specs to stand out.
Price & Availability
The new Muo Bluetooth speaker will retail for $249.99. It goes on sale September 23rd for myKEF members, with general availability starting September 30th.
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