The $300 Teenage Engineering groovebox shouldn’t be this adorable. That is the main idea.
The EP-133 K.O.II, or Knock Out II as we will refer to it, is a sampler, synthesizer, and drum machine all rolled into one. It’s a massive improvement over Teenage Engineer’s little PO-33 K.O., which costs a quarter of what this one does and has many of the same functions.
The Knock Out II has a distinct 1980s drum computer vibe instead of a contemporary Roland groovebox. The thin device has practically enormous buttons, knobs, and a single fader. Even though I’m not precisely sure how to work it, I’m still tempted to pay the money.
I’m really happy that Teenage Engineering, a venture capital-backed firm, produces products that elicit strong feelings, regardless of whether you think their audio gear is pricey, overdesigned, or perfect. It’s nice to see a hardware maker break free from this convention; most are unduly focused on following Apple down their minimalist rabbit hole.
Teenage Engineering is all about getting strange with it. For both listeners and performers, the Swedish company makes wireless speakers, grooveboxes, and hype beast-worthy accessories. Their devices frequently have tactile knobs and buttons that resemble Lego pieces, and their design language blurs the lines between several aesthetics; imagine KB Toys meets cassette futurism.
Teenage Engineering gained popularity for its incredibly cheap—and, in my opinion, incredibly brittle—Pocket Operator sequencers. Still, in recent years, the business has focused more on producing higher-end equipment. This has prevented some of its fans from enjoying themselves. The Knock Out II’s price tag enticingly falls in the middle. It’s not two grand, but it’s also not a stocking stuffer.
Drum machines and sequencers are difficult to master, and Teenage Engineering’s products frequently have a learning curve due to their unique features and feature sets. Nevertheless, Knock Out II appears approachable due to its design. It seems to be pleading that “you could totally learn this”—perhaps deceptively if you’re not ready to put in the hours. I’ll do my best to ignore the Gearhead siren song for the time being.
