It’s hard to make headphones or portable speakers interesting. You can tweak the shape of a speaker or add a clever strap for backpack duty. You can dress up a pair of headphones with new colors or textures. But at the end of the day, everyone knows what over-the-ear headphones are, and everyone knows what a small Bluetooth speaker does. The TDM Neo tries something different by combining both, and it just might make you rethink how you use each.
The TDM Neo is a hybrid device that works as both a pair of on-ear headphones and a portable speaker. Inside, TDM has built in four 40mm drivers, with two facing inward for headphone listening and two facing outward for speaker playback. When you’re listening solo, you wear them like normal headphones. When you want to share what you’re listening to, you twist the headband and the Neo transforms into a palm-sized speaker.
If your first reaction is that this sounds a little wild, it’s worth stopping to think about how often you actually carry a separate speaker. For many people, the answer is “occasionally, when I’m out with friends,” not every single day. Small portable speakers are useful, but they’ve always felt a bit niche. The TDM Neo’s appeal is that the speaker is already there, built into something you might be wearing or carrying anyway, ready to go with a quick twist.
TDM says the Neo delivers balanced, detailed sound when worn as headphones and impressive volume for its size in speaker mode. Switching between modes can be done either by physically twisting the headphones or by pressing a button. Controls are handled through four onboard buttons for power, volume, playback, and mode switching.
Battery life is one of the Neo’s biggest claims. TDM says you’ll get over 200 hours of use in headphone mode and up to 10 hours in speaker mode. USB-C fast charging is also on board, with a five-minute charge delivering up to eight hours of playback, while a full charge takes about three hours.
Comfort hasn’t been ignored either. The TDM Neo features dual-layer memory foam ear cushions, a soft vegan leather headband cover, and an adjustable headband with optimized clamping force, making it comfortable for a wide range of users. Connectivity comes via dual-mode Bluetooth 6.0, which TDM says enables smooth pairing, efficient audio performance, and compatibility with both newer and older Bluetooth devices.
The TDM Neo will be available in black and white, priced at $249. It’s set to debut at CES 2026 and will be available for pre-order on Kickstarter in January 2026. If you’re curious about a future where your headphones can instantly become the room’s speaker, this is one worth keeping an eye on.