Brandwave

How popular isKEF?

In September 2026, people searched for KEF by name about 143,000 times worldwide, a 14.9% decrease from the previous year. These searches made up 1.5% of all global surround sound system brand searches, placing KEF fifth out of ten brands. When we asked both ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about surround sound system brands, KEF appeared in two of the five answers and was the fifth most recommended of the ten.

Search and AI answers in September 2026

KEF is the fifth most searched of 10 competitors and the fifth most recommended in AI answers.

  1. JBLShare of searches 39.3%Mentioned in 2 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 7th
  2. SonyShare of searches 38.2%Mentioned in 3 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 3rd
  3. PanasonicShare of searches 10.2%Mentioned in 0 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations –
  4. SonosShare of searches 7.2%Mentioned in 4 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 2nd
  5. KEFShare of searches 1.5%Mentioned in 2 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 5th

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Top surround sound system brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, KEF was mentioned in two out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. KEF is the fifth most recommended of the ten.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. Samsung1st
  2. Sonos2nd
  3. Sony3rd
  4. Klipsch4th
  5. KEF5th
  6. Denon6th
  7. JBL7th
  8. Panasonic–
  9. LG–
  10. Bose–

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

  • Sonos4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Samsung4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Sony3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • JBL2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • KEF2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Klipsch2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Denon2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Panasonic0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • LG0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Bose0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about surround sound system brands

5 answers

Not named in any answer:

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 19, 2026.

Which surround sound system brands compete with KEF?

KEF against surround sound system brands worldwide, by month

Share of searches by month for JBL, Sony, Panasonic, Sonos, KEF. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthJBLSonyPanasonicSonosKEFKlipschSamsungDenonLGBose
Oct 202539.3%34.3%12.4%7.9%2%1.3%1.3%1.3%0.26%0.12%
Nov 202543.1%33.3%9.1%8.8%1.5%1.5%1.2%1.2%0.24%0.11%
Dec 202544.8%33.8%8.8%7.2%1.5%1.4%0.96%1.2%0.19%0.13%
Jan 202640.7%36%10.2%6.8%1.8%1.7%1.1%1.4%0.22%0.12%
Feb 202635.8%36.3%14.4%6.9%1.8%1.4%1.7%1.4%0.28%0.12%
Mar 202636.8%36.5%12%8.2%1.7%1.3%1.6%1.3%0.27%0.12%
Apr 202645.1%31.3%12.2%5.9%1.5%1.2%1.2%1.2%0.24%0.09%
May 202641.7%32.9%12.5%7.4%1.6%1.2%1.2%1.2%0.24%0.09%
Jun 202643.2%34.1%10.9%6.3%1.6%1.3%1.3%1%0.25%0.11%
Jul 202640.8%37.5%10.3%5.9%1.5%1.2%1.5%0.97%0.24%0.1%
Aug 202640.7%37.1%9.9%6.8%1.5%1.4%1.4%0.92%0.23%0.1%
Sep 202639.3%38.2%10.2%7.2%1.5%1.2%1.2%0.96%0.19%0.09%

  1. 1.JBL

    39.3%

    Held 1st. 3.7M estimated branded searches, -8% vs prior month. Share -1.4 points.

  2. 2.Sony

    38.2%

    Held 2nd. 3.6M estimated branded searches, -1.8% vs prior month. Share +1.1 points.

  3. 3.Panasonic

    10.2%

    Held 3rd. 958K estimated branded searches, -1.4% vs prior month. Share +0.3 points.

  4. 4.Sonos

    7.2%

    Held 4th. 673K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +0.3 points.

  5. 5.KEF

    1.5%

    Held 5th. 143K estimated branded searches, -4.9% vs prior month. Share 0 points.

  6. 6.Klipsch

    1.2%

    Held 6th. 110K estimated branded searches, -18.5% vs prior month. Share -0.2 points.

  7. 7.Samsung

    1.2%

    Held 7th. 110K estimated branded searches, -18.5% vs prior month. Share -0.2 points.

  8. 8.Denon

    0.96%

    Held 8th. 90.5K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share 0 points.

  9. 9.LG

    0.19%

    Held 9th. 18.1K estimated branded searches, -18.5% vs prior month. Share 0 points.

  10. 10.Bose

    0.09%

    Held 10th. 8.5K estimated branded searches, -15% vs prior month. Share 0 points.

Compare popularity between KEF and its closest rivals

Every comparison with KEF

23 comparisons

How has branded search demand for KEF changed worldwide over the last 12 months?

2 findings
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, estimated monthly branded searches for KEF worldwide fell from 168K to 143K.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, KEF’s share of searches among surround sound system brands worldwide held steady, from 2% to 1.5%.

How did search popularity change for surround sound system brands worldwide in September 2026?

6 changes

  1. In September 2026, Sony gained share of searches among surround sound system brands worldwide, from 37.1% to 38.2%.

  2. In September 2026, JBL lost share of searches among surround sound system brands worldwide, from 40.7% to 39.3%.

  3. Estimated monthly branded searches for Bose worldwide fell 19% over 12 measured months, from 10.5K to 8.5K in September 2026.

  4. Estimated monthly branded searches for LG worldwide fell 18.5% over 12 measured months, from 22.2K to 18.1K in September 2026.

  5. Estimated monthly branded searches for Denon worldwide fell 17.7% over 12 measured months, from 110K to 90.5K in September 2026.

  6. Estimated monthly branded searches for KEF worldwide fell 14.9% over 12 measured months, from 168K to 143K in September 2026.

How are KEF’s branded searches counted?

2 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using KEF’s name. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brand is growing, holding steady, or fading.

  • kef
  • kef speakers

Do you work for KEF? To request corrections or removal please contact us via our support page and we will be happy to assist.

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Where does KEF compete?

KEF is ranked in five competitor sets. Each share is worked out among that set's brands, so it differs from set to set.
Competitor setRankShare of searchesRanking
Bluetooth speaker brands8th of 91.3%Show ranking
Surround sound system brands5th of 101.5%Shown above
Home cinema brands5th of 121.6%Show ranking
Speaker brands5th of 92.5%Show ranking
Desktop speaker brands3rd of 77.1%Show ranking
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Is KEF your brand?

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