OD-11 Cloud Speaker
About
The OD-11 traces its lineage to Stig Carlsson's 1974 ortho-directional loudspeaker, a design that Teenage Engineering has reinterpreted for contemporary listening environments. Encased in a birch plywood cube measuring 26 centimeters per side, the speaker presents as furniture-grade woodwork rather than consumer electronics. Matte lacquer finishes and discreet rear ventilation allow the unit to integrate with Scandinavian lighting fixtures or Japanese ceramic collections without introducing visual disruption.
Inside the compact enclosure, a 100-watt class-D amplifier powers a long-throw woofer and silk-dome tweeter positioned at 45-degree angles. This ortho-directional configuration disperses sound evenly throughout the room rather than projecting it in a narrow beam, creating consistent listening quality regardless of seated position. The result is warm, enveloping audio that fills space without demanding precise listener placement.
Connectivity options accommodate virtually any source. Wi-Fi enables integration with home networks, while AirPlay and Spotify Connect handle streaming directly from Apple devices and the Spotify application. Bluetooth LE covers wireless playback from other devices, and optical input plus 3.5 mm analog jack welcome traditional components like turntables or CD players. The Orthoplay companion application for iOS and Android manages multiroom configurations and delivers firmware updates.
Perhaps the most distinctive interaction element is the detached magnetic volume control, a small puck that can rest anywhere on a coffee table or shelf. Twisting it adjusts level with satisfying tactile feedback, transforming a mundane function into a moment of physical engagement. The OD-11 demonstrates that streaming-era convenience need not abandon the material sensibilities of mid-century audio design, offering both heritage and connectivity in a single considered package.
