When a product tries to do two completely different things, I usually expect one of them to suffer. The TDM NEO gives that idea a fairly literal twist: these headphones turn into a Bluetooth speaker.
That is a fun trick. At $249, though, I want to know whether both sides are worth using.
A Twist Changes Everything
Unfolded, the NEO looks like a normal pair of headphones. Rotate the earcups and fold them together, and the whole thing becomes a compact speaker.
My favorite part is the audio switching. When I unravel them, the sound automatically moves back to the headphones. The transformation does something useful instead of just making the product look different.
Five Screws to the Battery
TDM claims over 200 hours in headphone mode and 16 hours as a speaker. Those are the advertised runtimes, rather than a battery drain test I have completed.
What gets my attention on the repair side is the access. The battery is only five screws away. Opening the earcup reveals the pack, and the included instructions show how it is meant to be replaced.
That is a detail I like seeing on wireless headphones. The battery is a part you can get to when it eventually needs attention.
How Do Both Modes Sound?
The headphones sound really good to me. The speaker sounds decent. I am more impressed with the headphone side, but the speaker mode does give the twist a reason to exist.
I can listen on my own, fold them up to play out loud, then open them again and have the audio switch back. That handoff is the part I enjoy most.
The Cushions Need Work
The ear cushions are where I am less convinced. They definitely need work. Getting two ways to listen into one device does not make that part any less important.
I think TDM could improve them pretty easily. It is the change I would want to see alongside the clever folding design.
Final Thoughts
I expected the twist to be a gimmick, but I can see myself using it. The question is whether that convenience would earn the NEO a place in your bag. Would you choose one device that does both, or stick with two separate ones?
See you in the next article!
