CMF's $59 and $109 Milk-Carton Speakers Explained
CMF has released the Speaker S and Speaker M, its first portable speakers in a milk-carton-shaped case. The Speaker S costs $59 and the Speaker M costs $109, and both are available now on Nothing's retail site Engadget.
The two models use different sound hardware. The S has a 45mm full-range driver, which covers most of the sound in one unit, with two passive radiators that boost bass without using extra power. The M has a 10W tweeter for high sounds, dual drivers and a 25W woofer for low sounds, with two speaker outlets. Both come in orange, turquoise and white.
Both use Bluetooth 6.0 and support Auracast, a Bluetooth feature that lets one source broadcast to many receivers. Auracast supports the party mode listed for the Speaker Series The Verge. Stereo pairing, which splits left and right sound across two speakers, works only between identical models. Two S units can pair, and two M units can pair, but an S and an M cannot combine.
For fast connection, both support NFC tap pairing, Google Fast Pair and Microsoft Swift Pair, which prompt your phone or computer to connect when the speaker is close. CMF also advertises Custom EQs, adjustable bass and treble settings, for the lineup on its official site. One USB-C port handles both charging and wired audio input. No USB-C cable is included in the box.
CMF claims up to 18 hours of playback for both speakers. Both are rated IP68, fully protected against dust and water. The rating covers the whole case, which matters for outdoor use, travel in bags, and exposure to rain, dust and splashes. CMF says it will release design files so owners can 3D print custom handles and accessories. Both speakers are listed on its homepage, and launch sales are through Nothing's retail site.
Looking at what this means for buyers, the pairing limit is worth reading closely. Identical pairs keep left-right tuning and volume predictable, while mixing S and M would mean balancing different drivers and amplifier power. The rule is simple at setup. Pairing stays within one model.
In my view, Auracast is the more consequential wireless choice. Stereo pairing serves one listening spot. Auracast can reach many receivers from one source, like a small radio station, which changes group use across rooms or outdoors. Party mode points in that direction, though real use will depend on source support, delay control and how CMF sets up broadcast groups in its companion software.
The broader context here is how sealing, battery life and flexibility fit together. IP68 needs tight seals and few openings, which fits one USB-C port doing two jobs. Leaving out the cable keeps the box minimal but moves a small cost to the buyer, while printable accessories let owners adjust grip and carrying without opening the case or breaking the seal. I have watched my kids keep small speakers far longer when battery, tuning and toughness hold up, and that history applies here. The 18-hour claim will need testing at different volumes, and Custom EQs will matter if the tall case adds echoes users want to tame. What is on offer is a compact, low-cost speaker with current Bluetooth, broadcast support, full sealing and owner-made add-ons.
