KEF’s VECO Technology Earns Innovation of the Year Award 2025 for Revolutionary Bass Performance
In the world of high-fidelity audio, KEF continues to push boundaries with its latest breakthrough technology, VELOCITY CONTROL TECHNOLOGY (VECO). This innovation, featured in the celebrated KEF XIO soundbar, has earned KEF the prestigious Innovation of the Year Award 2025 from What Hi-Fi?, a leading authority in audio and home entertainment reviews.
Outstanding Bass Precision and Depth
The KEF XIO soundbar, recently crowned Best Soundbar Over £1000 at the What Hi-Fi? Awards 2025, impressed experts with its immersive surround sound capabilities and notably agile bass performance. Central to this achievement is VECO, an advanced system designed to drastically reduce distortion and deliver deep, accurate low-frequency reproduction.
Motional Feedback Meets Modern Engineering
VECO leverages the principle of motional feedback, a concept dating back to the 1970s, but KEF’s engineers have introduced a novel integration that sets this technology apart. Instead of a traditional voice-coil former, the bass drivers incorporate a flexible printed circuit board (PCB) embedded with a precisely shaped sensing coil. This sensor measures the speed of the diaphragm’s movement in real time.
Using this data alongside the input signal, the soundbar’s smart processor detects any distortion in the bass driver’s output and applies instantaneous corrections. Remarkably, KEF has engineered the sensor and electromagnetic components to operate independently, preventing interference and ensuring purity of sound.
A New Benchmark in Soundbar Bass
Reviewers who compared the KEF XIO to the previous award-winning Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar Max found the XIO superior in clarity, precision, and finesse, especially in delivering subtle low-level dynamics. According to What Hi-Fi?, KEF’s soundbar offers a more transparent listening experience, granting greater insight into soundtracks and music.
This first implementation of VECO signals an exciting development path for KEF’s future product lines, promising enhanced bass performance without compromising sound purity.
Looking Ahead
KEF’s VECO technology marks a significant leap forward in soundbar design, offering audiophiles and home cinema enthusiasts a compelling blend of innovation and performance. As home entertainment systems continue to evolve, KEF’s approach to low-frequency audio reproduction may well set a new industry standard.
For more detailed insights, readers can explore What Hi-Fi?’s full review of the KEF XIO and the complete list of the What Hi-Fi? Awards 2025 winners.
About the Author
Robyn Quick is a staff writer for What Hi-Fi?, specializing in hi-fi and home cinema technology. With a background in magazine journalism and a passion for innovative audio gear, Robyn offers in-depth coverage of breakthrough products and industry trends.
© 2025 What Hi-Fi? / Future US, Inc.
