Roll-Up Wireless Headphones Double as a Bluetooth Speaker
▼ Summary
– TDM’s Neo headphones, announced at CES 2026, are wireless over-ear headphones with a flexible headband that can be rolled up to transform them into a compact speaker.
– Unlike previous designs, the Neo use separate inward-facing drivers for private listening and outward-facing drivers for shared audio when switched to speaker mode.
– The headphones offer up to 200 hours of battery life in headphone mode but only about 10 hours in speaker mode, and feature user-replaceable rechargeable batteries.
– They include Bluetooth 6 with multipoint and Auracast support, a 3.5mm audio jack, and a microphone for calls and voice assistants, but lack active noise cancellation.
– The Neo will be launched via a Kickstarter campaign in January 2026, priced at $249 in black or white, positioning them as a premium option without active noise cancelling.
A new pair of wireless headphones unveiled at CES 2026 introduces a clever design that transforms them into a portable speaker. The Neo headphones, from a company called TDM, feature a flexible headband that can be rolled up around the ear cups, converting the personal audio device into a compact Bluetooth speaker for sharing music. This innovative approach offers a unique solution for users who want both private listening and a way to broadcast audio without carrying a separate device.
The concept of headphones that also function as speakers isn’t entirely new. Previous models have typically used rotating ear cups or open-back designs that leak sound. The Neo headphones take a different path by incorporating two separate sets of drivers. Inside each ear cup, a 40mm driver provides private audio in headphone mode. When you switch to speaker mode, either by pressing a dedicated button or physically rolling the headband, those interior drivers deactivate. A second set of outward-facing 40mm drivers then powers on, projecting sound to the surrounding area.
Battery performance is a key selling point, with TDM claiming an impressive 200 hours of use in headphone mode. This longevity drops significantly to just over 10 hours when operating as a speaker, as the drivers work harder to fill a room. Power comes from two user-replaceable 1,500mAh batteries, a feature that could extend the product’s lifespan well beyond typical wireless headphones. For connectivity, the Neo supports Bluetooth 6 with multipoint and Auracast capabilities, and includes a 3.5mm audio jack for wired connections. A built-in microphone handles calls and voice assistant access in either mode.
Scheduled for a Kickstarter launch in January 2026, the Neo will retail for $249 in black or white. This price point places them in competition with premium wireless headphones, but they lack a common feature in that category. The headphones do not include active noise cancellation, relying instead on memory foam ear cushions for passive sound isolation. For some buyers, the absence of ANC might outweigh the benefit of the dual speaker functionality, making the value proposition challenging despite the innovative design.
(Source: The Verge)
