Teenage Engineering EP-133 K.O. IIFrom real comments

Verdict distilled from 64 mentions across 14 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment57%
PROS 57%
CONS 43%

Rank based on 64 mentions across 14 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want a fun, affordable, intuitive entry into sampling and beat-making
  • You value standout design and a quick, low-menu-diving workflow
  • You need polyphonic sample playback in a compact, portable unit

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You need reliable audio export or USB audio for DAW integration
  • You require deep sampling tools like waveform trimming or song/scene chaining
  • You're worried about build quality issues like the fader or speaker defects

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

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1Mid
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Articulate soundGreat with extended-range guitarsStrong overall tone qualityPrice concerns
Mad Professor Fire Red Fuzz
Articulate sound
Great with extended-range guitars
Strong overall tone quality
Price concerns
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Mad Professor Deep Blue Delay
Musical analog toneLong-term reliability and board loyaltySimple, intuitive controlsHigh price pointCheaper alternatives seen as comparableDistortion at high settings
Mad Professor Deep Blue Delay
Musical analog tone
Long-term reliability and board loyalty
Simple, intuitive controls
High price point
Cheaper alternatives seen as comparable
Distortion at high settings
3Premium
Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive
Touch-sensitive dynamicsLong-term favorite / durability of appealSweet, low-gain tone qualityHigh price versus clonesDeluxe loses some original characterLimited mid control
Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive
Touch-sensitive dynamics
Long-term favorite / durability of appeal
Sweet, low-gain tone quality
High price versus clones
Deluxe loses some original character
Limited mid control
Best value
4Mid
MXR Super Badass Distortion
Exceptional versatilityNatural, amp-like tonePowerful 3-band EQDemo videos undersell the pedalNoticeable noise floorVolume drop when engaged
MXR Super Badass Distortion
Exceptional versatility
Natural, amp-like tone
Powerful 3-band EQ
Demo videos undersell the pedal
Noticeable noise floor
Volume drop when engaged
5Premium
Eventide Orville
Exceptional reverb qualityHigh-quality warm pitch shiftingStrong aspirational appealHigh priceCheaper alternatives may sufficeEffect can feel like it plays for you
Eventide Orville
Exceptional reverb quality
High-quality warm pitch shifting
Strong aspirational appeal
High price
Cheaper alternatives may suffice
Effect can feel like it plays for you
6Premium
Origin Effects Deluxe61
Authentic amp-like toneExcellent low-to-mid gain driveUnderrated favorite among ownersHigh price pointLimited gain-staging flexibilityNo built-in reverb
Origin Effects Deluxe61
Authentic amp-like tone
Excellent low-to-mid gain drive
Underrated favorite among owners
High price point
Limited gain-staging flexibility
No built-in reverb
7Premium
Roland TR-808
Iconic, powerful kick drumWarmer, more alive analog characterCultural and historical influenceExtremely high collector priceAnalog noise and static requiring EQReliability concerns of aging hardware
Roland TR-808
Iconic, powerful kick drum
Warmer, more alive analog character
Cultural and historical influence
Extremely high collector price
Analog noise and static requiring EQ
Reliability concerns of aging hardware
8Premium
Moog Subsequent 37
Inspiring and addictive to playWarm, fat analog toneStrong DAW/VST editor integrationHigh price for what it offersLimited versatility outside bass rangeNeeds effects/partner gear to shine
Moog Subsequent 37
Inspiring and addictive to play
Warm, fat analog tone
Strong DAW/VST editor integration
High price for what it offers
Limited versatility outside bass range
Needs effects/partner gear to shine
9
Wampler Tumnus V2
Klon Centaur-style toneConvincing demo influenced purchaseExcellent clean boostNot suited for metal tones
Wampler Tumnus V2
Klon Centaur-style tone
Convincing demo influenced purchase
Excellent clean boost
Not suited for metal tones
10Mid
Wampler Paisley Drive
Transparent toneVersatile across genresWorks well across many guitar typesTwo-channel routing complexityDry signal bleed-throughInconsistent demo impressions
Wampler Paisley Drive
Transparent tone
Versatile across genres
Works well across many guitar types
Two-channel routing complexity
Dry signal bleed-through
Inconsistent demo impressions
You are here
31Mid
Teenage Engineering EP-133 K.O. II
Surprisingly low price for TEStandout industrial designFun, inspiring creative toolFader hardware failuresPoor customer service experiencesNo audio export or USB audio
Teenage Engineering EP-133 K.O. II
Surprisingly low price for TE
Standout industrial design
Fun, inspiring creative tool
Fader hardware failures
Poor customer service experiences
No audio export or USB audio

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

The price-to-design ratio stunned longtime Teenage Engineering watchers. Commenters repeatedly expressed disbelief that a $299 device could carry TE's aesthetic and feature set, especially after recent expensive 'field' products and OB-4 releases. Many called it an instant buy, citing gorgeous looks, a calculator-inspired button layout, and a broken-up top edge that avoided a boring rectangular shape. Several noted it undercut competitors like the SP-404 mk2 and Elektron gear while still feeling premium and fun to use.

Workflow and polyphonic sampling won over both beginners and groovebox veterans. Users highlighted a fast learning curve, minimal menu diving, and an engaging 'new language' once basics clicked. The ability to play samples polyphonically, something Digitakt and Octatrack can't do, surprised several experienced owners. Simultaneous MIDI out and thru was called rare and valuable. Many said it helped them finally grasp pattern and sequence concepts they'd struggled with on other gear, making it a good gateway device.

Build quality problems and support experiences soured a meaningful share of buyers. Multiple commenters reported faders failing within hours or days, and dead or crackling speakers needing manual fixes. Some described Teenage Engineering support as dismissive, blaming the customer or demanding partial payment for repairs on units they said arrived defective. Others recalled similar QC issues with the PO-33 and OP-Z. Missing features like audio export, waveform display, song mode, and only 64MB of storage frustrated users wanting to take projects further.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?