JBL vs KEF:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, JBL had more branded searches than KEF among surround sound system brands worldwide. JBL had about 3.7 million branded searches, while KEF had 143,000. JBL made up 39.3% of all surround sound system brand searches we track, and KEF accounted for 1.5%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about surround sound system brands, JBL and KEF each appeared in two of the five answers. KEF was mentioned before JBL in two out of three answers that named either.
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Top surround sound system brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, JBL and KEF were each mentioned in two out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. KEF was listed before JBL in two out of three answers that named either.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
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
Asked ChatGPT
“Which surround sound system brand should I buy?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best surround sound system brands?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best surround sound system brand for a home theatre?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best surround sound”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“home theatre system”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 19, 2026.
Is JBL or KEF more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for JBL and KEF by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all ten surround sound system brands we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for JBL, KEF. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | JBL | Sony | Panasonic | Sonos | KEF | Klipsch | Samsung | Denon | LG | Bose |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 39.3% | 34.3% | 12.4% | 7.9% | 2% | 1.3% | 1.3% | 1.3% | 0.26% | 0.12% |
| Nov 2025 | 43.1% | 33.3% | 9.1% | 8.8% | 1.5% | 1.5% | 1.2% | 1.2% | 0.24% | 0.11% |
| Dec 2025 | 44.8% | 33.8% | 8.8% | 7.2% | 1.5% | 1.4% | 0.96% | 1.2% | 0.19% | 0.13% |
| Jan 2026 | 40.7% | 36% | 10.2% | 6.8% | 1.8% | 1.7% | 1.1% | 1.4% | 0.22% | 0.12% |
| Feb 2026 | 35.8% | 36.3% | 14.4% | 6.9% | 1.8% | 1.4% | 1.7% | 1.4% | 0.28% | 0.12% |
| Mar 2026 | 36.8% | 36.5% | 12% | 8.2% | 1.7% | 1.3% | 1.6% | 1.3% | 0.27% | 0.12% |
| Apr 2026 | 45.1% | 31.3% | 12.2% | 5.9% | 1.5% | 1.2% | 1.2% | 1.2% | 0.24% | 0.09% |
| May 2026 | 41.7% | 32.9% | 12.5% | 7.4% | 1.6% | 1.2% | 1.2% | 1.2% | 0.24% | 0.09% |
| Jun 2026 | 43.2% | 34.1% | 10.9% | 6.3% | 1.6% | 1.3% | 1.3% | 1% | 0.25% | 0.11% |
| Jul 2026 | 40.8% | 37.5% | 10.3% | 5.9% | 1.5% | 1.2% | 1.5% | 0.97% | 0.24% | 0.1% |
| Aug 2026 | 40.7% | 37.1% | 9.9% | 6.8% | 1.5% | 1.4% | 1.4% | 0.92% | 0.23% | 0.1% |
| Sep 2026 | 39.3% | 38.2% | 10.2% | 7.2% | 1.5% | 1.2% | 1.2% | 0.96% | 0.19% | 0.09% |
How has the JBL and KEF comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- JBL was ahead of KEF in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, JBL’s share of searches among surround sound system brands worldwide held steady at 39.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 3.4M to 3.7M.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, KEF’s share of searches among surround sound system brands worldwide moved from 2% to 1.5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 168K to 143K.
How did search popularity change for surround sound system brands worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, JBL lost share of searches among surround sound system brands worldwide, from 40.7% to 39.3%.
Estimated monthly branded searches for KEF worldwide fell 14.9% over 12 measured months, from 168K to 143K in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
5 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using JBL’s and KEF’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Other head-to-heads among surround sound system brands
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