STEREO GUIDE Verdict
The Teufel MYND scored points in the review with its rich sound, up to 40 hours of battery life (even 42 in eco mode), IP67 protection and clever repair features via freely accessible open source data. Connectivity is also impressive with Bluetooth 5.3, AUX and USB input. All in all, an exceptional device at a reasonable price.
Pros
- Balanced sound tuning with rich, differentiated bass
- Replaceable battery; 3D files for the reproduction of components
- Bluetooth, USB and analog input
- Easy to transport with its loop
Cons
- USB playback with functional limitations
- Poor button labeling
-
Tonal balance / transparency8.1
-
Bass / Dynamics8.3
-
Usability / Connectivity8.9
-
Price/Performance9.2
Bluetooth loudspeakers are now being given a kind of “green deal”. The Teufel MYND focuses on sustainability with its somewhat rustic design. Available in the colors Warm Black, Warm White, Light Mint and Wild Berry, the portable speaker can be unscrewed, repaired and supplemented with parts from the 3D printer. The Berlin-based direct mail order company is thus focusing on sustainability to a degree that we have only seen in the Bluetooth speaker segment with the recently reviewed B&O Beosound A5. However, the sophisticated Dane costs more than five and a half times as much – in the basic version! Yes, it looks more chic and is adorned in aluminum, wood and fabrics, depending on the version. But it clearly still leaves a lot of room for improvement when it comes to the price of sustainable speaker solutions that are affordable for a wider audience.
Can an inexpensive speaker be sustainable, repairable and still be really loud? Teufel says yes – and with the new MYND, it delivers a Bluetooth speaker that doesn’t just want to make itself heard in terms of sound.
Made from 50% recycled plastic, the distinctly angular housing with its exposed Allen screws houses a closed 2.1 system with a 9 cm bass/midrange driver, two 2 cm tweeters and two passive cones. This promises powerful sound with plenty of bass, but also wide stereo dispersion thanks to the clever use of waveguides. The amplifier technology works on the basis of three efficient Class D power amplifiers, supported by DSP optimization for clean highs and stable dynamics – even at higher volumes. However, the Berliners remain silent about the amplifier power. But this is mainly of interest at the regulars’ table.
Extensions and spare parts, including own extensions
But what makes the MYND really interesting is its concept: “Robust. Repair. Recycle.” is the motto – and Teufel is serious about it. The housing is screwed together and the lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 5,200 mAh is replaceable. All components can also be easily separated from each other. If you like, you can even build your own extensions using the openly accessible 3D data, circuit diagrams and source codes. Click here for the open source codes. A statement in terms of repairability – and a real invitation to the DIY community. Shall I be honest? In my eyes, it’s the first sensible idea from the German capital for many years.
Despite its environmental focus, the MYND remains a real practical tool: IP67-certified, with up to 40 hours of battery life and numerous useful features. With the Eco mode, up to 42 hours are even possible – a great value. Of course, the extended runtime doesn’t come for free. Like others, such as JBL with the Charge 6 (“Playtime Boost”), Teufel then reduces the bass and the speaker also appears less dynamic. But with the solid sound foundation of the MYND – this much can be revealed before the actual sound test section – there is still enough punch even for pop music to be convincing, at least as background sound.
Good functionality and connectivity
A power bank function allows smartphones or tablets to be charged via the USB-C port. Also on board: Bluetooth 5.3 including Google Fast Pair for fast pairing with Android devices. Connectivity benefits from an analogue jack input and the USB-C port, which is not only used for charging. It also allows the ecologically designed Teufel speaker to be used as an external sound card. The connection setup is practically “plug & play”, but the iPhone 16 Pro simply lacked level and punch compared to Bluetooth operation.
In addition, the contact to the Teufel Go app then broke off. And it could not be re-established until I cut the USB connection or switched to the Bluetooth input using the button on the device. In this respect, the source switching in the app makes little sense, especially as the MYND automatically switches to the corresponding input as soon as you connect both devices with a USB cable.
What is noticeable when using the buttons on the top of the Bluetooth speaker is the lack of a colored imprint, which is why the buttons, with the exception of the volume button highlighted by the oval shape, are very difficult to see. And the visual feedback of the input selection via color change of the respective LED is not the last word in wisdom either.
Teufel Go app with some useful functions
The sustainable speaker is charged with up to 20 volts / 3 amps – or in gentle mode, which can be managed via the Teufel Go app. The battery then charges significantly slower and not completely full. This is intended to extend the service life of the replaceable battery. However, if you’re in a hurry, around 80 minutes is enough for a full charge after deactivating gentle mode.
The Teufel Go app, available in the Apple iTunes Store and on Google Play, also enables sound control, party link pairing, LED control and system sound management. The Party Link function allows up to 100 MYND or ROCKSTER GO to be connected via Bluetooth for synchronized playback of the same sound signal. This means that even larger rooms or outdoor areas can be filled with sound.
Sound test: This is what the Teufel MYND sounds like
In the sound test, we were pleasantly surprised at how powerful just one of these Partylink-enabled Bluetooth speakers was. The Teufel MYND produced a really rich and powerful sound. So lively and full of punch that we were truly amazed. As usual with the Bluetooth speakers from the Berlin-based company, this power play was complemented by a balanced basic tuning. Mids and highs sounded as if they had been cast from a single mold.
The bass provided a solid, but not overly dominant foundation, as is the case with many party speakers. Its true strength was not even revealed in dance beats, but in classic rock with acoustic drums. The MYND was able to reproduce bass drums in a comparatively large and differentiated way. However, this is not to say that electronic beats didn’t come out of the speaker full of punch and richness. It’s just that many others in this price range can do this quite effectively – but very few can do it anywhere near as precisely.
As far as voice reproduction was concerned, the Teufel was convincing due to its lack of sharpness. It did justice to both male and female voices. The treble blended in seamlessly with a quality that never made you think explicitly about this frequency range. Everything came together to create an extremely natural sound image for this class. And the harmony was maintained extremely well up to over 90 percent of the maximum volume. Many Bluetooth speakers start to cut the bass significantly at 80 percent at the latest, causing the sound to become harsh.
Teufel MYND: Conclusion and alternatives
The Teufel MYND naturally falls on fertile ground with me, especially as I shop for my image as Petrol Head at the health food store. It can’t compete with the Bang & Olufsen Beosound A5 mentioned in the review in terms of design, feel and sound. But it pursues the same sustainable idea at a much more affordable price. The rechargeable battery alone is a useful feature among Bluetooth speakers in this class. But Teufel takes the cake with freely accessible circuit diagrams and CAD data for reproducing entire housing parts in the 3D printer. This makes the MYND virtually without alternative in this class with a focus on sustainability. And the powerful, well-balanced sound has nothing to hide at this price. The only thing that divides opinion is the design of the thoroughly green-colored Bluetooth speaker. But everyone should decide that for themselves.
Teufel MYND: Technical specifications
- Manufacturer’s suggested retail price: 250 Euro
- Dimensions (W x H x D): 28 x 18 x 10 cm
- Weight: 2.44 kg
- Battery life up to 40 hours (42 hours in eco mode)
- Special features: Bluetooth 5.3, multi-point connection. Water/dustproof to IP67, USB sound card function, app control, party and stereo pairing
- More at: teufel.de
