If you know a thing or two about how the tech industry works, you’re probably familiar with the common strategy where brands reveal a product at major events like CES or IFA, then head to crowdfunding platforms such as Kickstarter or Indiegogo to generate early funds and gauge real market interest. Audio brand TDM (Tomorrow Doesn’t Matter) has taken exactly this route, recently launching its premium 2-in-1 audio device on Kickstarter.
First showcased at CES 2026, the TDM Neo Hybrid speaker is an innovative gadget that seamlessly switches between headphone and speaker modes with just a simple twist. There is obviously a lot of technical prowess behind this, but the star of the show is the TDM’s patent-pending twist mechanism, which Dezeen points out, “aligns the two headphones and wraps the headband around them to form a stand for the compact speaker.”
Besides its mind-boggling design, which allows the device to pull such quirks, the headphones boast an array of technical features. Matt Bolton of Tech Radar, who has had a hands-on review of the unit, notes that the headphone-cum-speaker features four audio drivers. The four independent 40mm drivers are strategically positioned inside each ear cup. Two face inward for immersive headphone audio, while two face outward, lying dormant until you trigger speaker mode. Dual amplifiers ensure both configurations deliver punching bass, crisp vocals, and detailed highs, all from a device that weighs less than a can of soda at 350 grams.
Another impressive aspect of the gadget is the battery backup it offers. The company touts that the unit is capable of running over 200 hours in headphone mode. However, this average comes down to ten hours when in speaker mode. “With Neo, we want to empower people to live for the now, giving traditional headphone users the freedom to take what they’re listening to and share it through speakers at any given moment,” TDM cofounder David Brailsford states.
From a functionality perspective, the device can be controlled using four simple buttons. However, it can also be set up to automatically switch from the headphone to speaker drivers, pause audio, or power the device on or off. From a compatibility and customization standpoint, Neo is one of the rare modern-day speakers that leverage Bluetooth 6.0. Customization extends to the transformation itself. Audio can automatically jump from your ears to the room, pause politely, power down, or keep playing through the switch, your call depending on the moment.
While this was hands-down one of the coolest innovations at CES 2026, what leaves us surprised is the cost of the gadget. TDM has priced the Neo Hybrid speaker at $249, with early bird offers available for $189. The headphone-cum-speaker combo comes in either black or white, with makers promising delivery for July 2026.
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