A distinctive new portable amplifier has arrived from the Swedish design-focused music company known for its compact synthesisers and playful approach to sound. The Teenage Engineering EP-35 K.O. Amp marks the brand’s first foray into amplification, combining practical multi-instrument inputs, simple dial-controlled effects, and characteristically whimsical details in a battery-powered package.
Unveiled alongside the opening of a new New York flagship store, the EP-35 is a 35-watt mono amp housing a 4-inch woofer and 1-inch tweeter. It delivers a maximum of 94 dB and offers approximately 12 hours of playtime from its 20.1 Wh battery. Connectivity is comprehensive, with a 6.35 mm guitar input (including a high mode for active pickups and pedalboards), an XLR microphone input with 48 V phantom power, a 3.5 mm stereo line-in ideal for Pocket Operators, Bluetooth 5.3, and USB-C. When connected to a computer, the unit functions as a full USB audio interface, routing guitar, mic, and line signals to separate channels in a DAW.
In keeping with the brand’s minimalist philosophy, there are no screens or menus. Two roller dials cycle through eight guitar presets (including Twang, Indie, Blues, and Envelope), and eight microphone presets (ranging from lo-fi radio and ambient echo to vocoder and bass-synth voice effects). A single amount dial for each bank adjusts intensity. Optional accessories expand functionality further, including a wireless K.O. foot pedal for looper control, effect toggling, and backing-track playback, plus a USB drive preloaded with jam tracks and drum loops.
Practical and playful features coexist. A rear hatch reveals gain and tone controls, along with a storage compartment that the manufacturer’s guide notes can hold cables, accessories, “or beer.” An integrated camp light offers a sound-reactive disco mode, while tilting the unit displays the remaining battery life via LEDs. Multiple units can be linked via Auracast for stereo or expanded setups, with orientation determining left/right assignment.
Splash-resistant and priced at $399, the EP-35 is available now directly from the manufacturer and select retailers, with additional accessories sold separately. It embodies the company’s signature blend of functional ingenuity and lighthearted design, offering experimental musicians, buskers, and creative performers a versatile, portable tool that prioritises fun and immediacy over traditional amp complexity.
