Soundbars / Compare
JBL Bar 300MK2 vs KEF XIO
Product A: JBL
68 of 98 known
Change JBL Bar 300MK2
Product B: KEF
65 of 98 known
47 of 90 fields differ
- 32 different values
- 15 known for one only
- 22 the same
- 21 missing for both
Biggest differences
Each bar uses the scale of all 69 soundbars.
- Standby powerLower is betterA: 1WB: 0.45WKEF is 0.55 W lower.
Weight
0 to 30,000 g
Soundbar weight
A2,900g
B10,500g
All 98 fields
Every value links to where we found it.


Audio system
9 of 17 differ
System channel configuration
Physical drivers in the package
Physical drivers in the bar
Up-firing drivers in the package
21Maker product pageus.kef.com/products/xio-soundbarRead 15 October 2026Page: two Uni-Q MX drivers support the two overhead channels. A third Uni-Q MX on the top face is used only when the bar is wall mounted. Three reviews describe this. The count is the two overhead drivers in the standard shelf position.5Maker spec sheet (PDF)images.salsify.com/image/upload/s--BaxUJ50x--/490b1abdf40cac67829ed9c59a357e1827c56377.pdfRead 15 October 2026Brochure: two Uni-Q MX drivers dedicated to the overhead channels complete the 5.1.2 layout.9Reviewwhathifi.com/tv-home-cinema/soundbars/kef-xioRead 15 October 2026Review: three Uni-Q MX drivers sit on the top. The centre one is used only when the bar is wall mounted.
Driver layout
AJBL Bar 300MK2
| Component | Driver type | Count | Diameter (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soundbar | Racetrack driver (42 x 80 mm) | 5 | Not available |
| Soundbar | Tweeter | 4 | 20 |
BKEF XIO
| Component | Driver type | Count | Diameter (mm) | Orientation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soundbar | Uni-Q MX coaxial driver | 6 | 50 | Three front-facing and three top-facing on a shelf. One top-facing driver is used only when the bar is wall mounted. |
| Soundbar | Full-range driver | 2 | 50 | Not available |
| Soundbar | P185 racetrack bass driver with VECO | 4 | Not available | Two opposed pairs in a force-cancelling layout |
Source1Maker product pageus.kef.com/products/xio-soundbarRead 15 October 2026Spec table: 6 x 50 mm Uni-Q MX drivers, 2 x 50 mm full-range drivers and 4 P185 racetrack bass drivers of 50 x 180 mm with VECO. The racetrack driver has no round diameter, so none is stored. Orientation comes from the reviews listed below.9Reviewwhathifi.com/tv-home-cinema/soundbars/kef-xioRead 15 October 2026Review: three Uni-Q MX face forward and three sit on top. The four P185 drivers form two pairs facing opposite directions. T3 says two drivers fire upward on a shelf. StereoNET says five of the six Uni-Q MX work at one time.
Separate subwoofer included
Included subwoofer connection
Not available
Not available
Included subwoofer driver diameter
Not available
Not available
Rear speakers included
Included rear speaker connection
Not available
Not available
Detachable rear speakers
Compatible optional subwoofers
Not available
Not available
Compatible optional rear speakers
JBL Cove M1, JBL Cove P15Maker product pagesupport.jbl.com/howto/bar-300mk2-bar-500mk2-software-update-release-notes-me8zilyp8q7-us/000052493.htmlRead 8 October 2026Exact 300MK2/500MK2 US release notes name multi-channel grouping with Cove speakers in firmware 26.33.11.82.00, August 19, 2026. The separate exact-applicability FAQ names models and same-model pair requirement. This later optional expansion does not alter supplied package counts.6Maker product pagesupport.jbl.com/gb/en/howto/which-cove-speaker-models-are-compatible-with-jbl-bar-mk2-series-to-form-home-theater-groups-mttxsft6e8-emea/000055042.htmlRead 8 October 2026Current maker FAQ explicitly includes Bar 300MK2 and requires a pair of either two Cove M1 or two Cove P1 speakers for home theater grouping. US exact-family firmware release corroborates availability of this software feature. Speakers are optional, not supplied. Other Cove models and subwoofer compatibility are not inferred.
Not available
Total RMS audio output power
Not available
Total peak audio output power
Published frequency response lower limit
Published frequency response upper limit
Audio formats
8 of 9 differ
Dolby Atmos
DTS:X
Supported audio formats
Dolby Atmos, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS:X, Sony 360 Reality Audio, MPEG-H, LPCM1Maker product pageus.kef.com/products/xio-soundbarRead 15 October 2026Spec table lists Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, 360 Reality Audio, MPEG-H and LPCM. The FAQ also names Dolby TrueHD and Dolby Digital Plus over eARC when the TV supports them.
Audio formats by connection
BKEF XIO
| Connection | Format | Max input channels |
|---|---|---|
| HDMI eARC | 5.1 Surround (compressed) | 6 |
| HDMI eARC | 5.1 Surround (uncompressed) | 6 |
| HDMI eARC | Dolby Atmos | Not available |
| HDMI eARC | DTS:X | Not available |
| HDMI eARC | Sony 360 Reality Audio | Not available |
| HDMI eARC | MPEG-H | Not available |
| HDMI ARC | 5.1 Surround (compressed) | 6 |
| HDMI ARC | Dolby Atmos | Not available |
| HDMI ARC | MPEG-H | Not available |
| Optical | 5.1 Surround (compressed) | 6 |
| Network | 5.1 Surround (compressed) | 6 |
| Network | Dolby Atmos | Not available |
| Network | DTS:X | Not available |
| Network | Sony 360 Reality Audio | Not available |
| Network | MPEG-H | Not available |
Music file formats
FLAC, WAV, AIFF, ALAC, AAC, WMA, MP3, M4A, LPCM, Ogg Vorbis1Maker product pageus.kef.com/products/xio-soundbarRead 15 October 2026Spec table: FLAC, WAV, AIFF, ALAC, AAC, WMA, MP3, M4A, LPCM and Ogg Vorbis. Playback runs over the network and depends on the source device.
Max wired audio sample rate
Not available
Max music file sample rate
Max wired audio bit depth
Not available
Max music file bit depth
Not available
Connectivity
5 of 17 differ
Ports on the bar
AJBL Bar 300MK2
| Connector | Count | Role |
|---|---|---|
| HDMI | 1 | Source audio/video input |
| HDMI | 1 | TV video output and ARC/eARC audio input |
| Optical | 1 | Digital audio input |
| USB-A | 1 | US MP3 storage playback and service |
| AC power | 1 | AC power input |
BKEF XIO
| Connector | Count | Version | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| HDMI | 1 | 2.1 eARC | HDMI eARC and ARC connection to the TV. There is no HDMI input. |
| Optical | 1 | Not available | TOSLINK digital audio input |
| Ethernet | 1 | Not available | RJ45 network port |
| USB-C | 1 | Not available | Service port |
| Subwoofer | 1 | Not available | RCA subwoofer output |
| AC power | 1 | Not available | AC power input |
Source1Maker product pageus.kef.com/products/xio-soundbarRead 15 October 2026Inputs: HDMI 2.1 eARC, TOSLINK optical, USB Type C for service and RJ45 Ethernet. Outputs: wireless subwoofer output and RCA subwoofer output. The wireless output is a radio link to the KW2 RX receiver and not a connector. The back panel photo in the manual also shows the AC input.4Owner's manualimages.salsify.com/image/upload/s--yy9XvVWq--/aac3398ff8d2a938345e79dd74360807b5aeffa0.pdfRead 15 October 2026Quick start guide back panel: reset button, Bluetooth pairing button, IPT switch, power switch, service port, subwoofer output, optical input, AC input, HDMI eARC input and network port.
HDMI ARC
HDMI eARC
HDMI-CEC
HDMI video passthrough
Video passthrough modes
Not available
Not available
HDR passthrough formats
Not available
VRR passthrough
Not available
Not available
ALLM passthrough
Not available
Not available
HDCP version
Not available
Bluetooth audio input
Bluetooth version
Bluetooth audio codecs
Not available
Not available
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi standard
Wi-Fi bands
Built-in Ethernet speed
Not available
Not available
Streaming and control
4 of 8 differ
Streaming protocols
AirPlay 2, Google Cast, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Roon Ready3Owner's manualjbl.com/on/demandware.static/-/Sites-masterCatalog_Harman/default/dw2ac4f39c/pdfs/HA_JBL_Bar%20300MK2_OM_Global_EN_V7.pdfRead 8 October 2026Printed pages 10-16 describe Google Cast, AirPlay and Spotify Connect and group playback. Exact US launch and current page independently add AirPlay 2, Tidal Connect and Roon Ready. Availability can require subscriptions and varies by service and market.4Press releasenews.harman.com/releases/jbl-introduces-next-gen-bar-series-for-truly-immersive-entertainmentRead 8 October 2026Exact Bar 300MK2 column explicitly lists AirPlay 2, Google Cast, Roon Ready, Spotify Connect and Tidal Connect. SmartThings is control, not an added music protocol. DTS Virtual:X launch forecast was late 2025, superseded by the exact dated firmware notes.
AirPlay 2, Google Cast, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, UPnP, QPlay1Maker product pageus.kef.com/products/xio-soundbarRead 15 October 2026Spec table: KEF Connect, AirPlay, Google Cast, UPnP and Bluetooth. Streaming services: Spotify via Spotify Connect, Tidal via Tidal Connect and QQ Music via QPlay. The features list names multiroom through AirPlay 2 and Google Cast.
Voice assistants
Built-in microphone
Microphone mute control
Not available
Not available
Companion apps
Companion app platforms
Multiroom audio
Yes3Owner's manualjbl.com/on/demandware.static/-/Sites-masterCatalog_Harman/default/dw2ac4f39c/pdfs/HA_JBL_Bar%20300MK2_OM_Global_EN_V7.pdfRead 8 October 2026Printed page 16 explicitly documents synchronized Google Cast groups and multiple selected AirPlay speakers on the same home network. Optional rear expansion is separate.5Maker product pagesupport.jbl.com/howto/bar-300mk2-bar-500mk2-software-update-release-notes-me8zilyp8q7-us/000052493.htmlRead 8 October 2026August 19, 2026 firmware explicitly adds JBL Whole-Home Audio synchronized playback. Auracast is also announced, but its direction and codec are not specified and it is not relabeled a Wi-Fi protocol. July 15, 2025 firmware explicitly adds DTS Virtual:X, superseding the launch forecast. No DTS:X decoder is inferred.
Yes1Maker product pageus.kef.com/products/xio-soundbarRead 15 October 2026Features list: multiroom via AirPlay 2 and Google Cast. TechRadar says the bar has no multiroom option. The maker and the manual say it has.4Owner's manualimages.salsify.com/image/upload/s--yy9XvVWq--/aac3398ff8d2a938345e79dd74360807b5aeffa0.pdfRead 15 October 2026Section 7.3 Multi-Room Streaming: AirPlay and Google Cast groups.
Remote included
Sound processing
4 of 7 differ
Sound modes
Not available
Default, Music, Movie, Night, Dialogue, Direct4Owner's manualimages.salsify.com/image/upload/s--yy9XvVWq--/aac3398ff8d2a938345e79dd74360807b5aeffa0.pdfRead 15 October 2026Section 10.4.5 sound profiles: Default, Music, Movie, Night, Dialogue and Direct. The remote has two sound profile buttons that default to Dialogue and Night.
Automatic room calibration
Room calibration system
Dialogue enhancement
Night mode
Equalizer controls
7-band EQ in JBL One, Five bass levels3Owner's manualjbl.com/on/demandware.static/-/Sites-masterCatalog_Harman/default/dw2ac4f39c/pdfs/HA_JBL_Bar%20300MK2_OM_Global_EN_V7.pdfRead 8 October 2026Printed pages 7 and 13 give five bass levels, default 3. Seven-band app EQ is explicitly established by the maker launch, not guessed from an app screenshot.4Press releasenews.harman.com/releases/jbl-introduces-next-gen-bar-series-for-truly-immersive-entertainmentRead 8 October 2026Release explicitly states seven-band EQ for every named new Bar model, including Bar 300MK2. Manual separately proves the five bass levels.
Treble trim, Bass extension, High-pass frequency, Subwoofer low-pass frequency, Subwoofer gain4Owner's manualimages.salsify.com/image/upload/s--yy9XvVWq--/aac3398ff8d2a938345e79dd74360807b5aeffa0.pdfRead 15 October 2026Section 10.4.4 Expert Mode: Treble Trim minus 3.0 to plus 3.0 dB, Bass Extension Less, Standard or Extra, High-Pass Frequency 50 to 120 Hz, Sub Out Low-Pass Frequency 40 to 250 Hz and Sub Gain minus 3.0 to plus 3.0 dB.
TV speaker integration
Not available
Not available
Power
4 of 6 differ
Published operating power
Not available
Published standby power
Published networked standby power
Power supply
Internal power supply, 100-240 V AC, 50/60 Hz3Owner's manualjbl.com/on/demandware.static/-/Sites-masterCatalog_Harman/default/dw2ac4f39c/pdfs/HA_JBL_Bar%20300MK2_OM_Global_EN_V7.pdfRead 8 October 2026Printed pages 2, 6 and 18: supplied AC cord connects directly to the bar, rated 100-240 V AC, 50/60 Hz. No external adapter or output-wattage-to-input conversion is used.
Detachable rear battery life
Not available
Not available
Detachable rear charge time
Not available
Not available
Measured
None of 8 known
Low-frequency extension (measured)
Not available
Not available
High-frequency extension (measured)
Not available
Not available
Max sound pressure (measured)
Not available
Not available
Frequency response deviation (measured)
Not available
Not available
Measured latency
Not available
Not available
Operating power (measured)
Not available
Not available
Standby power (measured)
Not available
Not available
Soundbar weight (measured)
Not available
Not available
Dimensions and weight
5 of 6 differ
Soundbar dimensions
Width940Height50.5Depth104mm(37 × 2 × 4.1 in)3Owner's manualjbl.com/on/demandware.static/-/Sites-masterCatalog_Harman/default/dw2ac4f39c/pdfs/HA_JBL_Bar%20300MK2_OM_Global_EN_V7.pdfRead 8 October 2026Printed page 18 gives bare bar W x H x D directly in mm: 940 x 50.5 x 104. Brackets, cables and shipping packaging are excluded. Rounded inch figures are not converted over these metric values.
Width1,210Height70Depth165mm(47.6 × 2.8 × 6.5 in)1Maker product pageus.kef.com/products/xio-soundbarRead 15 October 2026Spec table: 70 x 1210 x 165 mm (H x W x D), 2.8 x 47.6 x 6.5 inches.
Soundbar weight
Component dimensions and weight
AJBL Bar 300MK2
| Component | Width (mm) | Height (mm) | Depth (mm) | Weight (g) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soundbar | 940 | 50.5 | 104 | 2,900 |
BKEF XIO
Not availablePackage dimensions
Width1,180Height120Depth160mm(46.5 × 4.7 × 6.3 in)3Owner's manualjbl.com/on/demandware.static/-/Sites-masterCatalog_Harman/default/dw2ac4f39c/pdfs/HA_JBL_Bar%20300MK2_OM_Global_EN_V7.pdfRead 8 October 2026Printed page 18 explicitly labels packaging W x H x D as 1180 x 120 x 160 mm.
Not available
Package weight
Not available
Wall mountable
In the box
1 of 4 differ
In the box
JBL Bar 300MK2 soundbar, Remote control with two AAA batteries, Power cord, 1.2 m HDMI cable, Two L-shaped wall-mount brackets and mounting hardware, Quick start guide, Safety instructions and warranty card, Wall-mounting template1Maker product pagejbl.com/JBLBAR300M2BLKAM.htmlRead 8 October 2026Current exact US maker box list explicitly names quick start guide, safety instructions and warranty card, and wall-mount template. Power cords are published as up to four depending on region, so no regional cord count is inferred.3Owner's manualjbl.com/on/demandware.static/-/Sites-masterCatalog_Harman/default/dw2ac4f39c/pdfs/HA_JBL_Bar%20300MK2_OM_Global_EN_V7.pdfRead 8 October 2026Printed page 5 complete inventory. Two AAA cells, one 1.2 m HDMI cable, two wall brackets with hardware and product information/template are supplied. Power-cord count and plugs vary by regional package, so no up-to-four global count is asserted for US. Optional Cove speakers are not supplied.
XIO soundbar, Remote control, AAA batteries, HDMI cable (2 m), Power cable (2 m), Wall mounting template, Wall mounting kit, Printed materials4Owner's manualimages.salsify.com/image/upload/s--yy9XvVWq--/aac3398ff8d2a938345e79dd74360807b5aeffa0.pdfRead 15 October 2026In the Box (printed page 7): XIO, remote control, AAA batteries, printed materials, HDMI cable (2 m), power cable (2 m), wall mounting template and wall mounting kit. The kit drawing shows two small parts, each marked x4.
Wall mount hardware included
Yes4Owner's manualimages.salsify.com/image/upload/s--yy9XvVWq--/aac3398ff8d2a938345e79dd74360807b5aeffa0.pdfRead 15 October 2026Wall mounting template and wall mounting kit are in the box.5Maker spec sheet (PDF)images.salsify.com/image/upload/s--BaxUJ50x--/490b1abdf40cac67829ed9c59a357e1827c56377.pdfRead 15 October 2026Brochure: the soundbar includes a wall-mount kit as a default feature.
HDMI cable included
Optical cable included
General
6 of 7 differ
Series
Not available
Model numbers
SP4083M0AA, SP4083B0AA, SP4083M0BA, SP4083B0BA, SP4083M0CA, SP4083B0CA1Maker product pageus.kef.com/products/xio-soundbarRead 15 October 2026US store lists SP4083M0CA for Silver Grey and SP4083B0CA for Slate Black. The UK store lists the BA models and the EU store the AA models. All six are stored.2Maker product pageuk.kef.com/products/xio-soundbarRead 15 October 2026UK store lists SP4083M0BA and SP4083B0BA.3Maker product pageeu.kef.com/products/xio-soundbarRead 15 October 2026EU store lists SP4083M0AA and SP4083B0AA.
GTIN / EAN
637203051142, 637203051210, 637203051159, 637203051227, 637203051166, 6372030512341Maker product pageus.kef.com/products/xio-soundbarRead 15 October 2026Barcodes (gtin12) from the page data of each store. US 637203051166 (Silver Grey) and 637203051234 (Slate Black). UK 637203051159 and 637203051227. EU 637203051142 and 637203051210.2Maker product pageuk.kef.com/products/xio-soundbarRead 15 October 2026UK barcodes 637203051159 (Silver Grey) and 637203051227 (Slate Black).3Maker product pageeu.kef.com/products/xio-soundbarRead 15 October 2026EU barcodes 637203051142 (Silver Grey) and 637203051210 (Slate Black).
Announced
Status
Predecessor
Not available
Not available
Successor
Not available
Not available
Launch price (US)
$2,499.991Maker product pageus.kef.com/products/xio-soundbarRead 15 October 2026US page shows 2,499.99 USD, no tax included. This matches the launch price in July 2025 trade coverage. See the CEPro source.6Press articlecepro.com/news/xio-soundbar-from-kef-complements-modern-smart-home-living/619921Read 15 October 2026Article quotes KEF: available for a retail price point of 2,499.99 USD. US price, tax not stated.
Launch price (EU)
Not available
€2,2993Maker product pageeu.kef.com/products/xio-soundbarRead 15 October 2026EU and German stores show 2,299 EUR including VAT. The launch price is confirmed by the hifi.de test source below.7Reviewhifi.de/test/kef-xio-test-236581Read 15 October 2026hifi.de test of 9 July 2025 gives the manufacturer's recommended price of 2,299 EUR. Germany, VAT included.
Markets
US, GB, EU1Maker product pageus.kef.com/products/xio-soundbarRead 15 October 2026US, UK and EU KEF stores sell the XIO. Other regions may exist and are not stored.2Maker product pageuk.kef.com/products/xio-soundbarRead 15 October 2026UK store, price 1,999 GBP. No GBP price field exists in the schema.3Maker product pageeu.kef.com/products/xio-soundbarRead 15 October 2026EU store, priced in euro. The German store shows the same models and price.
Colours
Silver Grey, Slate Black1Maker product pageus.kef.com/products/xio-soundbarRead 15 October 2026US and UK stores name the colours Silver Grey and Slate Black. The EU store adds (EU) to each name.2Maker product pageuk.kef.com/products/xio-soundbarRead 15 October 2026UK store names the colours Silver Grey and Slate Black.3Maker product pageeu.kef.com/products/xio-soundbarRead 15 October 2026EU store names the colours Silver Grey (EU) and Slate Black (EU).
Links
Not compared
Product page
Spec sheet
www.jbl.com/on/demandware.static/-/Sites-masterCatalog_Harman/default/dw57f29c81/pdfs/JBL_BAR_300MK2_Black_Specsheet_EN.pdf2Maker spec sheet (PDF)jbl.com/on/demandware.static/-/Sites-masterCatalog_Harman/default/dw57f29c81/pdfs/JBL_BAR_300MK2_Black_Specsheet_EN.pdfRead 8 October 2026Original two-page English JBL Bar 300MK2 datasheet, linked by the exact US maker page. Its nine-driver inventory, geometry and explicit RMS footnote agree with the original owner manual. Regional USB exception is stated.
images.salsify.com/image/upload/s--BaxUJ50x--/490b1abdf40cac67829ed9c59a357e1827c56377.pdf5Maker spec sheet (PDF)images.salsify.com/image/upload/s--BaxUJ50x--/490b1abdf40cac67829ed9c59a357e1827c56377.pdfRead 15 October 2026KEF XIO soundbar brochure with the specification table. Linked from the KEF product page.
Manual
www.jbl.com/on/demandware.static/-/Sites-masterCatalog_Harman/default/dw2ac4f39c/pdfs/HA_JBL_Bar%20300MK2_OM_Global_EN_V7.pdf3Owner's manualjbl.com/on/demandware.static/-/Sites-masterCatalog_Harman/default/dw2ac4f39c/pdfs/HA_JBL_Bar%20300MK2_OM_Global_EN_V7.pdfRead 8 October 2026Original 23-page owner manual, printed pages 2-22, document HA_JBL_Bar 300MK2_OM_Global_EN_V7. All pages read. Americas back panel and US-only MP3 playback are distinguished from service-only USB in other regions.
EPREL registration number
Not available
Not available
Warranty
1 of 1 differ
Manufacturer warranty (source market)
Not available
Both are also in the API. Back to all soundbars.













