Review Finds TDM Neo Speaker-Headphone Hybrid Hard to Recommend
TechRadar says the $249 TDM Neo speaker-headphone hybrid is clever but sounds poor and is unstable in speaker mode.
The review states that the Neo's main problem is audio. In headphone mode, TechRadar describes it as 'okay' but imprecise compared with rivals; in its verdict, the review says the product sounds 'pretty awful however you use the product,' with no bass in speaker mode and 'drowning in mud' as headphones. As a portable speaker, the Neo produces a 'tinny bass-less hiss' that the reviewer says even bargain-bin Amazon options beat. The review adds that the form factor may make high-tech driver systems difficult, but says that does not excuse the result and recommends other Bluetooth speakers.
TechRadar also reports design and usability problems. The twisting mechanism mostly locks the speaker in place but can be loose, so the speaker does not always have a secure fit and can be wobbly, according to the review. The reviewer criticizes an upward-facing USB port as a likely dirt magnet. In headphone mode, by contrast, the fit is described as decent.
The TDM app draws criticism because some key features, including changing the EQ, require users to create an account. TechRadar says users cannot simply boot up the speaker and adjust the EQ without giving over some data. The review does credit TDM with useful in-box extras, including a sturdy carry case and high-quality cables, and with features such as different EQ modes for each format.
Battery life is a clear strength, according to the review: 16 hours in speaker mode and 200 hours in headphone mode, helped by the lack of active noise cancellation. TechRadar lists dual 40mm drivers, 340g weight, 3.5mm, USB-C and Bluetooth 6.0 connectivity, and no waterproofing. The Neo was unveiled at CES in January 2026, went on sale in September and shipped in October, the review says. It costs $249 or £249 (about AU$500), and TechRadar says it could not find the device available to buy in Australia.
TDM sells battery replacement kits for $29 or £23 (about AU$46) and provides an online guide for swapping them, which the review credits as a repairability plus. Even so, TechRadar says the price matches top-tier Bluetooth speakers or mid-range headphones, a hard proposition given the sound and build quality, and it suggests waiting for a possible Neo 2.