OB-4 Magic Radio

Teenage Engineering reimagines portable audio as something richer than simple playback with the OB-4. At its heart is a conceptual shift: live audio becomes material to manipulate rather than merely receive. The speaker continuously records incoming sound into a two-hour rolling buffer, accessible through an orange dial that allows scrubbing backward through radio broadcasts, rewinding podcast segments, or looping musical phrases for spontaneous sampling. This single feature transforms passive listening into interactive engagement.

Acoustic performance matches the conceptual ambition. Dual four-inch custom drivers powered by 38 watts of class-D amplification deliver full, room-filling sound from a matte polycarbonate enclosure roughly the dimensions of a hardcover book. A rotating metal handle serves double duty as carrying grip and adjustable stand, tilting the speaker toward the listener at optimal angles or folding flat for transport. The fabric grille detaches for cleaning or replacement, acknowledging that portable objects encounter varied conditions.

Connectivity spans both contemporary and legacy formats. Bluetooth 5.0 handles wireless streaming from phones and computers, while a 3.5 mm line input accommodates turntables, synthesizers, or any device with analog output. FM radio reception connects the speaker to broadcast content, completing the bridge between digital convenience and traditional media. A dedicated Disk mode accesses preloaded ambient soundscapes and meditative textures for moments when curated atmosphere matters more than active selection.

Battery endurance reaches 40 hours under typical use, allowing extended trips or multiple days of casual listening between charges. The OB-4 belongs equally on a living room shelf, a kitchen counter, or a remote campsite, adapting to context while maintaining its identity as a designed object that refuses to treat audio equipment as disposable commodity.