KEF Muon Floorstanding Loudspeaker Reviewed
- By: Ken Taraszka
- - Reviewer's System
- Resources & Links:
- Dynamic Loudspeaker ,
- KEF ,
- View Ken Taraszka's Reviews
- October 28, 2008

The KEF Muon is designed to be the critically acclaimed speaker company's absolute reference-level speaker and, boy, do these striking speakers ever live up to their billing. They are fabricated from super-formed aluminum, which uses a similar process to vacuum-forming, making the cabinets into a shape that is not only effective for maximizing audio performance, but also amazingly sexy visually. KEF has really done a spectacular job of making a stunning pair of speaker that have audiophile sonic performance with the kind of supermodel-inspired industrial design that will compel non-audiophiles (with eight-figure net worth) to own them. The KEF Muon is designed by acclaimed industrial designer Ross Lovegrove, whose creations reside in permanent collections in the Museum of Modern Art in New York City and in London's Design Museum. A pair of KEF Muon speakers makes a bold statement, not a subtle one. Clients looking for high-end in-walls should be directed to Wisdom Audio's new Sage Series. KEF Muon speakers are built for the art enthusiast as much as for the audiophile.
Using a four-way design and KEF's legendary Uni-Q drive unit array, the KEF Muon delivers a seamless midrange and full and open sound, with excellent bass and high-frequency extension. Acoustic Compliance Enhancement enables KEF to effectively double the available cabinet volume by using activated carbon molecules to absorb air molecules, making for even more bass extension than the huge cabinet would otherwise allow. To control and contain all the power of these bass notes, KEF has enclosed the entire speaker in a six-millimeter-thick aluminum case, which makes a rigid cabinet that is as sexy as it is functional.
Let's face it, when you are dropping $140,000 on a pair of speakers, they had better sound good. Correction: the speakers had better sound absolutely great and they absolutely, positively have to look like they belong in the multi-million-dollar homes where they aspire to reside. At this price, you are buying artwork as well as audio gear, and the KEF Muon speakers do a great job providing both. All the modern engineering in KEF's arsenal makes this one of the finest-sounding speakers in the world, while the artistic design of Ross Lovegrove ensures that those with the funds to purchase a set of KEF Muons will be happy to display them. How do they sound? Well, when in a large room, KEF's Muon speakers sound amazingly open and smooth, with great coherence and powerful bass performance. Those with the cash for a pair of one of the 100 pairs of these limited edition speakers likely won't have small rooms, so this shouldn't be an issue.
High Points
• The value proposition of KEF's legendary sound in a no-compromise format makes for one of the finest loudspeakers available. Prepare your money manager for the rest of your system, because you will also want a collection of the best from the likes of Krell, Mark Levinson, Meridian and/or Transparent Audio to round out your statement audio system.
• The large sculpted looks are over-the-top sexy, but you truly need to see them in person to believe how good-looking these speakers are. Unlike movie stars who get the benefit of Photoshop before gracing the cover of Vanity Fair, the KEF Muon speakers have "not a stitch of makeup on" gorgeous good looks like no speaker I have ever seen before.
Low Points
• These speakers require a large room to sound their best and proper set up is a must. Plan to have them parked away from the side walls and back walls by no less than a couple of feet. Better yet, before they are installed, have your architect put them into your listening room's floor plan and send you the drawing.
• With only 100 pairs being made as part of a limited edition, you might need to make some Warren Buffett-style moves in a depressed Wall Street market before you can call Muons your own. If you have the Gordon Gecko chops to make the money, you deserve the spoils, and what would be better than KEF Muons?
Conclusion
A huge statement in both technology and design, the KEF Muon is a large step forward in speaker design from a groundbreaking, historically important loudspeaker company. While most of will never own KEF Muon loudspeakers, consider making the pilgrimage to an active KEF Muon dealer to be on par with going to the Museum of Modern Art to view a specific exhibit that you may never see again in your life. What you will see and hear is so special that just having the experience of what the KEF speaker system can do will make you rich, if for no other reason than you will own the memory.
Keywords
KEF, Muon, KEF Muon, floor standing speakers, all out assault on speakers, top of the line speakers, Ross Lovegrove, speakers
- Wilson Audio Alexandria Loudsp...
- Acoustic Zen Adagio Loudspeaker...
- Aerial Acoustics Model 20T Loud...
- B&W Signature Diamond Loudspeak...
- Bang & Olufsen BeoLab 6000 Loud...
- Bang & Olufsen BeoLab 8000 Loud...
- Bowers & Wilkins 683 Loudspeake...
- Bowers & Wilkins 703 Floorstand...
- Bowers & Wilkins CT 700 Series ...
- Bowers & Wilkins XT4 Loudspeake...
- Definitive Technology Mythos ST...
- Floorstanding and Audiophile Lo...
- Infinity Classia Series C336 Lo...
- JBL ES90 Loudspeakers Reviewed...
- JBL Project Array 1400 Array Lo...
- JBL Project Everest DD66000 Lou...
- JBL Studio L Series L890 Floors...
- JBL WEM-1 Wireless Expansion Mo...
- KEF Muon Floorstanding Loudspea...
- MBL 101 Loudspeakers Reviewed...
- Magnepan MMG Floor-Standing Spe...
- MartinLogan CLX Electrostatic L...
- MartinLogan Purity Hybrid Elect...
- MartinLogan Spire Hybrid Electr...
- MartinLogan Summit Loudspeakers...
- MartinLogan Vantage Hybrid Elec...
- MartinLogan Vista Hybrid Electr...
- Monitor Audio Silver RS6 Loudsp...
- Nola Viper Reference II Loudspe...
- PSB Imagine T Loudspeaker Revie...
- Paradigm Monitor 7 Floorstandin...
- Paradigm Reference Studio 100v4...
- Paradigm Signature S8 v.2 Louds...
- Paradigm Studio 100 5.1 Speaker...
- Quad Super System Reviewed...
- Revel Concerta F12 Floorstandin...
- Revel Performa F52 Floorstandin...
- Revel Ultima Salon2 Loudspeaker...
- Vandersteen 1c Loudspeaker Revi...
- Vandersteen 5A Loudspeaker Revi...
- Wilson WATT Puppy Version 8 Lou...
- Wisdom Audio Sage Series Speake...
Today's Top Story
Can The Home Theater Business Re-price Itself Back Into The Hearts and Wallets of Consumers? -
This recession is a bitch. The talking heads on the Sunday morning shows were shooting off this weekend about the fact that the American economy was headed into recession no matter what, but the collapse of the real estate market... Click for more...
Latest Floor-Standing Speaker Reviews
JBL Project Everest DD66000 Loudspeaker -
The JBL Project Everest DD66000 is the most ambitious loudspeaker in the history of JBL--and that's saying something considering the company's long lineage of research and development. The DD66000, ranging in price from $60,000 to $70,000 a pair depending on... Click for more...
Nola Viper Reference II Loudspeakers Reviewed -
There are many specialty audio brands that may not be well-recognized by the general public, yet which have the admiration of those in the know. Nola is one of those brands, something of an unsung hero of the audiophile world.... Click for more...
Paradigm Studio 100 5.1 Speaker System Reviewed -
The Paradigm Studio v.5 series was introduced at CES 2009 as the fifth iteration of the Studio series. The Studio series was first introduced about a decade ago and, as the version number implies, it has been updated as new... Click for more...
Wisdom Audio Sage Series Speakers Reviewed -
The modern world of AV gear is expanding. Speakers that were once simple boxes filled with drivers have grown into complex designs, thanks to the increase in available technology and experience the years have offered. With these technological advances, speakers... Click for more...
Bowers & Wilkins CT 700 Series Loudspeakers Reviewed -
It didn't take me long to realize that this wasn't going to be your normal product review. Not because the product, Bowers & Wilkins' new CT 700 series loudspeaker, is either bad or wholly unique, but because, unlike other traditional... Click for more...
Infinity Classia Series C336 Loudspeaker Reviewed -
Infinity is a company known for loudspeakers that combine attractive styling with high-tech driver design. The Classia C336 floor-standing loudspeaker is no exception. Its subtle yet distinctive visual elements give it a unique look that sets it apart from your... Click for more...
JBL ES90 Loudspeakers Reviewed -
The JBL ES90 is part of the legendary speaker company's mainstream ES Series lineup of home theater and music loudspeakers. At $599 each, suggested retail, the ES90 floor-standing tower is at the top of the ES Series, combining unique wedge-shaped... Click for more...
JBL WEM-1 Wireless Expansion Module -
Many people would love to install a home theater (yes, there are still legions of people out there who don't have one), but face a very real obstacle: how do they get the wires from the A/V receiver to the... Click for more...
JBL Project Array 1400 Array Loudspeaker -
The JBL Project Array series of home theater and music loudspeakers is one of JBL's high-end speaker lines, incorporating professional-quality drivers and a number of unique design aspects in its quest to deliver exceptional sound quality. The 1400 Array (suggested... Click for more...
Magnepan MMG Floor-Standing Speakers Reviewed -
The Magnepan MMG is the smallest and least expensive speaker in the Magnepan line, priced at $599 per pair and coupled with a very generous 60-day return policy. Magnepan also offers the option of trading in your "Maggies" for full... Click for more...




Comment on this article
3We tried to get these speakers, but I used up my clothing allowance... Maybe for 2012?
I want your clothing allowance!
When I first saw these speakers, I could not believe how beautiful they looked. I never seen speakers this modern looking and retro. I`d like to hear them compared to the Wilson` Maxxes. That should prove to be very interesting.
Post a Comment