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KEF Muo Portable Bluetooth Speaker Review

With the Muo (2nd generation), KEF refines one of its most successful portable speakers. Designed once again by Ross Lovegrove and inspired by the legendary Muon loudspeaker, the compact Muo combines elegant industrial design with high-end sound quality. Enhanced connectivity, extended battery performance, and IP67 protection turn it into a versatile companion for home and outdoor use.

Story Highlights
  • KEF launches the second generation of its Muo Bluetooth speaker – a design icon by Ross Lovegrove, now with Bluetooth 5.4, up to 24 hours of battery life, and weatherproof IP67 certification.

When a brand like KEF introduces a portable audio product, expectations are naturally high. The British loudspeaker specialist has been shaping the world of high-end audio for decades with pioneering technologies and iconic designs. The first-generation Muo already redefined what a portable Bluetooth speaker could be – thanks in no small part to its collaboration with star designer Ross Lovegrove. Now KEF presents the second generation: visually loyal to its heritage, technically upgraded in every aspect, and ready to set new benchmarks.


Key Facts KEF Muo

  • Second generation of the KEF Muo portable speaker
  • Design by Ross Lovegrove, inspired by the KEF Muon flagship
  • Premium materials: aluminium housing, recycled plastics
  • Drivers: 58 × 117 mm RaceTrack with P-Flex technology, 20 mm tweeter, Class D amplification (40 W total)
  • DSP with KEF Music Integrity Engine (MIE)
  • Bluetooth 5.4 with SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive, plus Auracast (via update)
  • True Wireless Stereo pairing with a second Muo
  • Frequency response: 43 Hz – 20 kHz
  • Integrated microphone with noise and echo suppression
  • Battery life: up to 24 hours, fast charging (15 min ≈ 3 h playback), USB-C charging and playback
  • IP67 water and dust protection, temperature resistant from –20 °C to +45 °C
  • KEF Connect app support (iOS/Android)
  • Seven finishes: Silver Dusk, Amber Haze, Orange Moon, Blue Aura, Moss Green, Cocoa Brown, Midnight Black
  • Dimensions: 216 × 82 × 59 mm
  • Weight: 740 g
  • Price: € 269,-

A Design Icon in Compact Form

Ross Lovegrove is one of the most influential industrial designers of our time. His sculptural KEF Muon loudspeaker set design standards in the world of high-end HiFi. The Muo carries this DNA into a portable form: flowing lines, seamless surfaces, a blend of aluminium and recycled plastics. Even the first-generation Muo earned multiple design awards – and the new edition stays true to this heritage while refining materials and introducing fresh colour options.

From First to Second Generation

The first Muo already made a bold statement: portable didn’t have to mean compromise. Now, KEF raises the bar again. Bluetooth has been upgraded to version 5.4 with aptX Adaptive, battery life has doubled to 24 hours, and IP67 certification makes the new Muo resistant to dust and water. USB-C charging with fast-charge support brings it up to date with modern devices. All in all, KEF shows that refinement and innovation go hand in hand.

Technology and Features

Inside the Muo works a 58 × 117 mm RaceTrack driver with P-Flex Surround, complemented by a 20 mm soft-dome tweeter. Separate Class D amplifiers provide 30 W for mid/bass and 10 W for treble. KEF’s Music Integrity Engine ensures signal processing is optimised, delivering precision and detail.

The frequency response of 43 Hz – 20 kHz is remarkable for this class, offering true depth in the low end where many competitors fall short. Wireless connections are supported via Bluetooth 5.4 with SBC, AAC, and aptX Adaptive. Future updates will add Auracast Broadcast Audio.

A pair of Muo speakers can be combined into a stereo system. Charging via USB-C not only allows fast charging but also playback directly from a laptop. The integrated microphone with noise and echo suppression makes it suitable for calls too.

Sound Quality

KEF promises HiFi on the go – and the Muo delivers. Voices sound open and natural, instruments benefit from detailed resolution, and the treble remains smooth yet airy. Even as a single unit, it creates an impressively wide soundstage; in stereo pairing, it comes close to a compact HiFi setup.

Bass performance is tight and impactful, giving pop, rock, and electronic music real energy, while classical recordings benefit from depth and foundation. Even at high volumes, distortion remains low – only at extreme levels does compression become noticeable.

KEF Connect App Integration

The KEF Connect app (iOS/Android) extends the Muo’s capabilities. Users can update firmware, manage multiple devices, and configure stereo pairs with a simple tap. The app also integrates streaming services such as Spotify, TIDAL, and Qobuz, embedding the Muo into KEF’s wider ecosystem. Its clean and intuitive design makes daily use straightforward – an essential tool for anyone using the Muo as more than a casual speaker.

From the practice

At 216 × 82 × 59 mm and 740 g, the Muo is compact but substantial enough to deliver real acoustic authority. The IP67 rating ensures it performs outdoors, whether in the garden, by the pool, or on the road. The extended 24-hour battery life supports multi-day use without recharging.

Indoors, the Muo can easily fill a living room with sound. Two units in stereo can even replace small HiFi systems. In offices or hotel rooms, the combination of Bluetooth, USB-C connectivity, and robust design makes it a versatile everyday companion.

Price and Availability

The KEF Muo Portable Bluetooth Speaker (2nd generation) is available now in seven finishes including Midnight Black, Silver Dusk, Amber Haze, and Orange Moon. The suggested retail price is € 269,-.

Conclusion

The KEF Muo proves how a portable speaker can deliver both style and substance. With its Ross Lovegrove design, premium build, and HiFi sound, it stands out from the crowd. Extended battery life, Bluetooth 5.4, IP67 protection, and USB-C make it fit for modern life indoors and out. At € 269,-, it positions itself in the premium class – and justifies it with performance that redefines what portable HiFi can be.

ProductKEF Muo Portable Bluetooth Speaker
Price€ 269,-

Technical Specifications

ProductKEF Muo Portable Bluetooth Speaker
Drivers58 × 117 mm RaceTrack driver with P-Flex surround, 20 mm tweeter
Amplification30 W (mid/bass) + 10 W (treble), Class D
Frequency response43 Hz – 20 kHz (±3 dB, 85 dB/1 m)
Max SPL90 ± 3 dB @ 1 m
ConnectivityBluetooth 5.4 (SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive)
Stereo functionTrue Wireless Stereo (with second Muo)
PortsUSB-C (charging and playback)
Protection ratingIP67 (dust/water resistant)
Operating range–20 °C to +45 °C
BatteryUp to 24 hours
Fast charge15 min = ~3 h playback
Dimensions216 × 82 × 59 mm
Weight740 g
ColoursMidnight Black, Silver Dusk, Moss Green, Blue Aura, Cocoa Brown, Amber Haze, Orange Moon
Price€ 269,-

HiFiBLOG Award Excellent

When a manufacturer like KEF develops a portable speaker, you can expect more than just background music. The new Muo, designed in collaboration with star designer Ross Lovegrove, aims to deliver uncompromising sound in a pocket-sized format. It follows in the footsteps of its successful predecessor, which KEF has further developed in many ways with this second generation. Whether in terms of design, technology, or sound, our tests showed that this small speaker easily lives up to the high expectations.


Positive

  • Very elegant design
  • Very robust construction
  • Numerous design variants available
  • Impressive sound even with a single speaker
  • Very flexible for use on the go as well as at home or in the office
  • Convenient handling, not least thanks to the KEF Connect app

Negative

  • no real disadvantage apparent

Test Environment

  • Apple iPhone 12 Pro
  • Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
  • Qobuz
  • Apple MacBook Pro
BrandKEF
ManufacturerKEF
DistributionGP Acoustics GmbH
More about this manufacturer at HiFi BLOG

Conclusion

Sound
Design
Handling
Price/Performance

Excellent

With the KEF Muo, British hi-fi manufacturer KEF presents the second generation of its portable Bluetooth speaker, designed by star designer Ross Lovegrove and inspired by the legendary high-end KEF Muon speaker system. The compact, robust housing made of aluminum and recycled plastic combines stylish elegance with high everyday usability. Technically, the Muo boasts Bluetooth 5.4, True Wireless Stereo, up to 24 hours of battery life, and IP67 protection, delivering sound that sets standards in its class. This makes it both an audiophile statement and a versatile companion for the living room, travel, and outdoor use.

User Rating: 2.72 ( 9 votes)

Michael Holzinger

Michael Holzinger, founder and editor-in-chief of HiFi BLOG and sempre-audio.at, has been working for years as a journalist in the fields of IT, photography, telecommunications and consumer electronics.

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