CEDIA 2016

I first learned of Teenage Engineering when I read about its cool, affordable pocket synthesizers . What a surprise it was, then, to bump into them during my final few minutes at CEDIA, where the company was showing its new OD-11 wireless speaker on a quiet strip at the far end of the convention center.

Based on a design from the 1970s by Swedish Engineer Stig Carlsson, the OD-11 has been thoroughly updated for the wireless audio era. The hat box-size cabinet contains a neodymium cone tweeter and 6.5-inch long-throw woofer, each separately powered by a 100-watt Class-D amp. Inputs include optical digital and a 3.5mm analog audio jack, while its Wi-Fi connection lets you stream audio via Airplay or Spotify Connect. The company’s specs cite the OD-11’s frequency range as 28Hz to 20kHz, and while I didn’t get a chance to listen critically, the unit they demo’d delivered fairly substantial bass.

Control of the OD-11 is carried out using the company’s app, which also lets you pair two of the monophonic speakers for stereo playback. Another control option is provided by the optional Ortho remote ($149), a puck-like device that controls volume, input selection and playback via Bluetooth. The OD-11 is available now on the company’s website for $795 (white finish) and $899 (black, red, and walnut finishes).