More details for KEF Audio

[MiamiBlue]

I've just discovered this 45 page gem of a thread. I didn't get through it all but it's a rollercoaster ride. The first few pages (pre release of the car) are full of so much excitement and promise about this amazing new high end KEF sound system. There's technical discussion and audiophile chat and the expectations are set sky high. Then as the early production cars are released and feedback drips in there's a realisation that takes hold that this was not what we ordered, and it turns to disappointment and anger. Comments that their stock BMW and Porsche base systems sound way better. KEF have dropped the ball and ruined their reputation. The whole system can be significantly upgraded by simply adding a $100 powered sub box to the back shelf..

Are any of the original 2022 posters still active here? And have you recovered from the disappointment yet?

 

[JMBtx]

Does anyone have any insight on what the "improvements" to the KEF made for the 2026 models will actually be (e.g what the 10 speakers are and sound like?)

 

[Foxy87]

Yeah that would be interesting to know. Someone postet a factsheet here but couldnt find it. As far as I know they will also add some tweeters in the A Pillar which are empty on the Fe cas. Looks like to be e rather big improvement.

 

[ThePipeCleaner]

Do any of you who scrutinize these audio systems so critically also do a hearing test to make sure you can actually hear the frequencies?

 

[kvb968]

I've just discovered this 45 page gem of a thread. I didn't get through it all but it's a rollercoaster ride. The first few pages (pre release of the car) are full of so much excitement and promise about this amazing new high end KEF sound system. There's technical discussion and audiophile chat and the expectations are set sky high. Then as the early production cars are released and feedback drips in there's a realisation that takes hold that this was not what we ordered, and it turns to disappointment and anger. Comments that their stock BMW and Porsche base systems sound way better. KEF have dropped the ball and ruined their reputation. The whole system can be significantly upgraded by simply adding a $100 powered sub box to the back shelf..

Are any of the original 2022 posters still active here? And have you recovered from the disappointment yet?

I have to say, that after adding the A Piller tweeter modification, and putting several months of playing time on the midranges, the system sounds really good. I’ve owned many different car audio systems including custom JL Audio and Alpine systems. The bass isn’t the best, but overall I really enjoy it, and play it loud most of the time.

 

[Honcho]

Do any of you who scrutinize these audio systems so critically also do a hearing test to make sure you can actually hear the frequencies?

Good advice. Also, when moving, no matter how good the sound system it’s never going to sound amazing because of the cabin noise unless you have the volume hearing loss levels.

 

[Fasttoys]

Does anyone have any insight on what the "improvements" to the KEF made for the 2026 models will actually be (e.g what the 10 speakers are and sound like?)

Playful jab:
Oh, I can hear just fine — especially the missing low-end and the lifeless midrange. Maybe Lotus & KEF should schedule a hearing test for whoever tuned the system!

TRUTH!
Fair question — but hearing ability doesn’t change poor tuning, thin midrange, or limited staging. It’s not about frequency loss; it’s about balance, imaging, and dynamics. A properly engineered system should sound full and clear even to an average listener. KEF makes great hardware, but Lotus’ implementation and DSP tuning leave a lot on the table.

My B&O in my Audi Etron GT & Q6 are incredible systems. My Jaguar with the upgraded OEM Meridian system is one I dislike. The KEF Lotus system has much better highs but the sub is horrible. The Jag has much better base when compared to the Lotus it’s the highs that are lacking.

 

[Orchardbike]

My F-Type was, by a country mile, the worst sounding car Hi-Fi I ever had the displeasure to hear. Far, far worse than the Lotus KEF system. Even after throwing expensive upgraded tweeters, mid range and a sub, it was still awful. The head unit was the main issue.

 

[Fasttoys]

My F-Type was, by a country mile, the worst sounding car Hi-Fi I ever had the displeasure to hear. Far, far worse than the Lotus KEF system. Even after throwing expensive upgraded tweeters, mid-range and a sub, it was still awful. The head unit was the main issue.

What is it with the UK, they make incredible home systems it’s just confusing to me. I am looking for an Aston Vantage I hope the system in the car is better than Lotus & Jag. It’s truly hard to beat my B&O in my Q6 Prestige system, well worth the package upgrade.

 

[HethelYellow]

So I have noticed something!!
I stream my sounds on spotify and if I am streaming new stuff the system can sound very weak indeed, the other day I struggled to get any volume out of it and the quality was absolutely dire. But if I play my 'liked' songs which presumably are in the library the sound is transformed - rich base, plenty of volume etc etc. I am on 30000 miles so all the speakers are very well run in now. So is it the quality of the source / the ability of the system to decipher it rather than the fundamental quality of the hardware in the system that is at fault here?

 

[geoffbland]

I stream my sounds on spotify and if I am streaming new stuff the system can sound very weak indeed, the other day I struggled to get any volume out of it and the quality was absolutely dire.

Spotify uses both Lossless and Lossy FLAC for transcoding and it is not clear in what circumstances they use either. Spotify also do `Loudness` modifications on the fly so the payback could vary considerably, again it is not clear how and when they do this. As you point out, favourite songs may be cached and so be treated differently.
This is all meant to get the sound quality as good as it can be given your internet connection (and maybe to save Spotify some CPU cycles in transcoding?). But it does meant it's almost impossible to know exactly how your tracks will actually sound when played on Spotify. Anything sent over the internet is probably not a good source to use when judging sound quality. I would imagine most here judging the sound quality are doing this with a static local audio source such as a lossless track already on their phone or on a USB stick.

 

[HethelYellow]

Ok so my car just back from 3rd service and had 8 updates of which one is specifically listed as 'audio'.

And it sounds WAY better. Still slightly lacking in overall volume and the sub is definitely a weak point but WAY WAY better.

Now, fingers crossed it lasts as previous experience is that one day it sounds fine and the next day cr@p..!!

 

[Wiz33]

Ok so my car just back from 3rd service and had 8 updates of which one is specifically listed as 'audio'.

And it sounds WAY better. Still slightly lacking in overall volume and the sub is definitely a weak point but WAY WAY better.

Now, fingers crossed it lasts as previous experience is that one day it sounds fine and the next day cr@p..!!

Can you post your service record listing the audip update, My i4 is at the dealer right now getting the latest software updates and I want o make sure that one is done.

 

[Beachbum]

Oooh, mines in on the 29th, Lotus looking at why my windows open when I close the door. Will hopefully get this too

 

[Wiz33]

Ok so my car just back from 3rd service and had 8 updates of which one is specifically listed as 'audio'.

And it sounds WAY better. Still slightly lacking in overall volume and the sub is definitely a weak point but WAY WAY better.

Now, fingers crossed it lasts as previous experience is that one day it sounds fine and the next day cr@p..!!

Just picked mine up and the audio update was also done. Had a 30 minutes drive home and I would say the improvement are very noticeable. I have always said that the KEF system sounds better than the stock in the 718 but not as good as the B&O in my RS5. It's now very close, the high mid/ low treble spike that we see on the frequency response graph in the earlier forum post seems to have smooth out quite a bit (certain brass instruments can sound harsh with the previous version). There also seems to have more detail overall and more power to the bass. My V6 is not home as I brought the RS5 home with the forecast of heavy rain later this week so I'll have to do a comparison between the 2 next time I'm at the office. I wasn't really expecting such a dramatic improvement so I was just planning to have it done on the V6 when it goes in for the 2nd annual service (next Jul) but now I might want to schedule a service before then as I don't want to live with the old software for another 7 months.

 

[CarGuy11]

Does the new update get rid of the bass muddy sound when the windows are down?

 

[Wiz33]

Does the new update get rid of the bass muddy sound when the windows are down?

No idea as it's a bit cold to drive with the windows down.

 

[Beachbum]

No idea as it's a bit cold to drive with the windows down.

15C is cold !!!

 

[CarGuy11]

Wonder if this update fixes the pop sound when opening door at times.

 

[HethelYellow]

I briefly tried it with window down and I thought it was better, but will have another go when this bl@@dy rain stops!!

I would say the improvement in in the detail and warmth in the mid and high ranges - the sub is still not great.