Audio tech startup Tomorrow Doesn’t Matter (TDM) has unveiled an unusual product at CES 2026. It’s a headphone called the Neo Hybrid, which can twist into a portable Bluetooth speaker.
At first glance the Neo Hybrid looks like a conventional pair of headphones. But the flexible headband can be rolled around the earcups to transform the device into a compact speaker.
There’s no software to navigate or parts to snap on; you just give the device a literal twist and it turns into a palm-sized speaker for your whole room.
Headphones that transform into speakers aren’t entirely new, but TDM has taken a unique approach to the Neo Hybrid’s design.
Each earcup houses two 40mm drivers — one inward facing and a second facing outward. When the headphones become rolled up or switched via a button, the internal drivers shut off, and the outward drivers kick in, allowing audio to be heard without the need for the sound to come out of the earcups.
TDM
TDM says this setup provides a crisp, detailed sound profile as headphones and surprisingly decent volume when used as a speaker.
Users can also, if they wish, customize what happens when the headphones are twisted, with the choice of automatically switching modes, pausing playback, powering down, or acting as just a physical toggle.
The headphones have a built-in microphone for calls. Connectivity is via Bluetooth 6, with multipoint pairing and Auracast support. There’s also a 3.5mm wired option.
The device uses two replaceable 1,500mAh batteries and the battery life is very decent. TDM claims up to 200 hours playback in headphone mode with that dropping to 10 hours in speaker mode. The device also features USB-C fast charging that TDM says can deliver eight hours of battery life in headphone mode from just five minutes charge.
There’s no active noise cancellation to speak of with the headphones relying on passive noise isolation instead.
The Neo Hybrid will be available in black and white color options and be priced at $249. It’ll launch on Kickstarter later this month.
