ProductIndependently confirmed2 publishers2 min readPublished
CMF's $59 and $109 speakers differ mainly in drivers and weight
CMF's first Bluetooth speakers, the $59 S and $109 M, are on sale now with the same 18-hour battery rating. The software features match across the pair, so the $50 gap pays for a second driver and 270 extra grams.
The Product Desk
Key figures: the Speaker M weighs 270 grams more than the Speaker S; the M has a 25W woofer; the S has a 45mm full-range driver; both speakers offer up to 18 hours of battery life.
| Figure | Value | Note | Claim |
|---|---|---|---|
| Extra weight of the Speaker M over the Speaker S | 270 g | 24 | |
| Speaker M woofer | 25 W | 6 | |
| Speaker S full-range driver | 45 mm | 1 | |
| Battery life, both speakers | 18 hours, up to | 8 |
What happened
- The S has a custom-tuned 45mm full-range driver with two passive radiators, while the M has a 10W tweeter and a dedicated 25W woofer.
- The S weighs 334g and the M weighs 604g.
- Both speakers can sync to other speakers, including other companies' models, through an Auracast-based party mode.
- CMF says both models adjust EQ in real time with AI and add an "Ultra Bass" mode for the low end.
- These are the first portable Bluetooth speakers from CMF, a budget brand Nothing created and is spinning off as an India-based subsidiary.
Why it matters
- decision A buyer who wants left and right channels has to pick a size before the second speaker exists, because stereo pairing works only between two S or two M.
- contradiction Gizmodo says 3D-printing fans can print their own knobs, but The Verge says CMF only plans to release the design file, so printed parts depend on a release not yet made.
- cost CMF pitches the S as the grab-and-go model, so anyone who carries the M out of the house hauls an extra 270g.
A buyer comparing the two product pages finds few rows that differ. Past the AI EQ [2], both speakers carry an IP68 rating [15], EQ presets and custom profiles in the Nothing X app [4], and a multifunction knob and front panel that come off for swapping [5]. None of that helps a buyer choose between the S and the M.
Price and weight scale together. The M weighs 1.81 times what the S does [17] and costs 1.85 times as much [18].
Battery is the odd one. Gizmodo found it surprising that the larger M matches the S, at a maximum of 18 hours on both [7]. The Verge lists the figure as "up to" 18 hours [8]. Neither outlet reports the volume or test conditions behind it.
Sound is also untested in the coverage. Gizmodo's writer expects "a fairly drastic difference in the sound between the two, but it's hard to know for sure until you hear for yourself" [25]. Gizmodo also said it had asked CMF what the knobs cost and how many options exist, and that it would update its post [26].
We would start a first-time buyer on the S. It costs $50 less [19], and the sources list no feature the M has that the S lacks apart from its drivers and size [1]. The tradeoff is bass. The S has one 45mm driver and two passive radiators, and The Verge describes the M's dedicated woofer as the part for improved bass performance and better separation of instruments and singers [6].
Two axes sort the decision: whether the speaker leaves the house, and whether there will ever be two of them. A single speaker that travels is the S at $59 [3]. A single speaker that stays in one room is the M at $109 [3]. A traveling pair is two S at $118 [20], and a fixed pair is two M at $218 [21]. The pair box is where the sizes overlap: two S cost $9 more than one M [22] and weigh 668g against the M's 604g [23].
What to watch
- Gizmodo's promised update on what CMF charges for replacement knobs and how many options exist.
- Whether CMF publishes the official design file for 3D-printed knobs and panels, and when.
- Hands-on tests of the 18-hour battery rating and of how far apart the S and M sound.
Clarity's read
What the record supports and how the coverage leans. The claims behind it follow.
Reality
- Evidence50
- Adoption
- Insufficient
- Hype gap+10
- Incentives
- Insufficient
- Confidence72
Claim ledger
Ranked by verification strength, evidence, and original report placement.
- [1]
The S has a 'custom-tuned' 45mm full-range driver paired with two passive radiators; the M has two drivers, a 10W tweeter and a dedicated 25W woofer.
- [2]
CMF says both models have AI that adjusts EQ in real time and an 'Ultra Bass' mode meant to beef up the low end.
ReportedSupportedSource: Gizmodo, citing CMF2 sources— create a free account to open themView cited source - [3]
The S costs $59 and the M costs $109; both are available today.
- [4]
Both speakers can have their sound profile customized through the Nothing X app, with preset EQs or user-made ones.
ReportedSupportedSource: Gizmodo and The Verge2 sources— create a free account to open themView cited source - [5]
On both speakers the multifunction front knob and the entire front panel can be removed and swapped for another color or design.
- [6]
The Verge describes the M's dedicated 25W woofer as being for improved bass performance and better separation of instruments and singers.
- [7]
Gizmodo said it was surprising that both speakers have the same max battery life of 18 hours despite the size difference.
- [8]
Both speakers offer up to 18 hours of battery life.
- [9]
Two S speakers or two M speakers can be paired for left-and-right stereo mode; the two sizes cannot be mixed.
- [10]
CMF plans to release the official design file so modders can 3D print their own customizations.
- [11]
Gizmodo says that 3D printing fans can just print their own knobs.
- [12]
The speakers support an Auracast-based party mode that synchronizes the full mix to several other speakers at once, including speakers from other companies.
- [13]
The CMF Speaker Series are the first portable Bluetooth speakers from CMF, the budget-focused brand Nothing created and is spinning off into an India-based standalone subsidiary.
- [14]
The CMF Speaker S weighs 334g and the Speaker M weighs 604g.
- [15]
Both speakers have an IP68 water and dust resistance rating.
- [16]
CMF describes the S as 'grab-and-go', meant for the park or beach, and the M as larger and meant for at-home listening.
- [17]
The M weighs about 1.81 times the S.
- [18]
The M costs about 1.85 times the S.
- [22]
Two S speakers cost $9 more than one M.
- [23]
Two S speakers weigh 668g together.
- [25]
Gizmodo wrote that it expects 'a fairly drastic difference in the sound between the two, but it's hard to know for sure until you hear for yourself.'
- [26]
Gizmodo said it asked CMF how much the knobs are and how many options are available, and will update its post with further information.
Sources
2 independent publishers whose own reporting we read for this story.
- gizmodo.comCMF’s First Speakers Look Like Milk Cartons and Have Swappable Buttons
1 article · October 12, 2026
- theverge.comCMF’s first wireless speakers look like musical milk cartons
1 article · October 12, 2026
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Topics
- Consumer Audio HardwareFollow
- Bluetooth speakersFollow
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