Tribit StormBox 2 review: a bargain Bluetooth speaker with big sound and decent battery life

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Tribit StormBox 2: two-minute review

The Tribit StormBox 2 is simply a cheap, hard-wearing Bluetooth speaker that's designed to present 360-degree sound for not overmuch cash. The next-generation upgrade from 2018’s StormBox, it’s a pocket-sized portable speaker that sports unassuming looks and utmost levels of measurement and artillery life.

The Tribit StormBox 2 very overmuch colors wrong of nan lines erstwhile it comes to design. It apes nan near-cylindrical shape facet of galore of its rivals successful nan portable speaker space, moreover echoing nan drop-resistant extremity caps and rubberized buttons that you’ll find connected galore speakers astatine nan much affordable extremity of nan market. Fortunately, this does make it rugged capable for usage successful nan awesome outdoors; it will spot disconnected drops and dings, while its IPX7 water-resistance intends it survived a minute-long dunking successful nan TechRadar testing vessel without immoderate sick effects.

Given its position astatine nan cheaper extremity of nan market, people it's missing immoderate features that you’ll find connected immoderate of nan best Bluetooth speakers. The StormBox 2 doesn’t connection Wi-Fi connectivity, nor less-lossy codecs specified arsenic LDAC aliases ALAC, which intends you won't get audiophile-grade sound here.

Despite this, I was pleasantly amazed by nan Tribit’s performance. Playing Black Eye by Allie X, nan speaker did a awesome occupation of representing her vocals and those synthy stings, while that saw-toothed bassline delivers plentifulness of teeth. Given its wave scope only stretches arsenic debased arsenic 70Hz though, it does suffer a small beingness successful its debased extremity – and, for illustration galore cheaper speakers, nan treble tin connected juncture sound a small spot agleam and overdriven.

On nan positive side, for illustration its less-rugged sibling, nan Tribit XSound Plus 2, nan StormBox 2 has immoderate coagulated audio profiles that will fto you polish nan sound it produces and compensate for immoderate of these weaknesses. XBass, successful particular, gives everything overmuch much oomph successful nan debased end; I recovered myself progressively conscionable leaving it connected arsenic standard. And if you really want to get into nan nitty gritty, nan Tribit app offers a afloat nine-band EQ to let you to tweak its sound to suit your favourite genres.

There are much features wherever that came from, too. One of nan astir noteworthy is its pairing options: you tin nexus 2 StormBox 2s together, either to boost measurement successful statement mode aliases to create a stereo pair, which offers decent separation and a convincing soundstage.

But possibly nan StormBox 2’s astir awesome statement instrumentality is its artillery life. Its stated 24-hour artillery life makes nan lasting powerfulness of Bluetooth speakers specified arsenic nan JBL Flip 6 look ephemeral by comparison. And astatine little volumes, astatine nan 50% I regularly listened at, for example, I really recovered it lasted acold longer, stretching to arsenic agelong arsenic a preposterous 30 hours. This speaker has superior playing power.

Is it nan best-sounding speaker connected nan market? Hardly. It displays immoderate definite unevenness successful nan bass and treble, and nan audio it produces isn’t nan astir elaborate aliases expressive you’ll hear. But for its super-low price, it sounds acold amended than it has immoderate correct to – and nan artillery life unsocial makes it a coagulated investment. So, ultimately, if you’re looking to get alteration for $100 / £100 / AU$150, this will perfectly beryllium your champion option. If your fund tin agelong further, location are acold finer speakers disposable connected our guideline to nan best bluetooth speakers.

Tribit StormBox 2 review: value & merchandise date

• Released connected May 31, 2024
• Retails for $67.99 / £60 / AU$129

The Tribit StormBox 2 is disposable now, having been released connected May 31, 2024. It presently retails for nan bargain value of $67.99 / £60 / AU$129 – which is cheap, moreover for a fund Bluetooth speaker. This is astir comparable to nan overmuch smaller JBL Clip 5, which only has 7W of amplification compared to nan StormBox 2’s 34W, truthful successful mentation you’re getting overmuch much oomph for a very akin spend.

When it comes to acquisition options, you’re limited: location aren’t immoderate colour variations connected offer, truthful what you spot present is what you get. Fortunately, what you get is very generous, considering nan value you’ll pay.

Tribit StormBox 2 review: specs

Tribit StormBox 2 review: features

• Flexible sound floor plan and EQ options
• No Wi-Fi aliases little lossy codecs
• Insane 24+ hours artillery life

The Tribit StormBox 2 possesses 2 48mm full-range drivers that stone a mixed powerfulness of 34W. While nan 70HZ – 20KHz wave scope these drivers present isn’t precisely going to springiness you gut-punching sub bass, it’s still decent capable for specified a compact unit. In addition, it's besides tin of 360-degree sound – thing you’ll beryllium thankful for immoderate clip you’re listening to it successful large groups.

Want moreover much room-filling sound? You’re successful luck: you tin concatenation respective StormBox 2s together. Hit nan TWS fastener connected your connected StormBox 2 and past property nan aforesaid fastener connected a compatible Tribit speaker and they’ll shape a stereo pair. Alternatively, for those much worried astir achieving window-rattling volume, you tin property nan TWS fastener again and they’ll move to a mono Party mode.

It's imaginable to augment nan sound successful different ways arsenic well. Not only tin its XBass fastener move connected nan Tribit’s bass-boosting audio profile, but if you occurrence up nan app, you tin entree 4 different sound modes: Audiobook, Classical, Rock and Jazz. However, those looking for granular power complete their euphony will get nan astir usage retired of its nine-band EQ – this some lets you tweak nan sound equilibrium to your heart’s contented and create your ain civilization profiles, thing that rather a fewer much costly models still lack.

Given nan price, it will hardly beryllium news that nan StormBox 2 doesn’t battalion nan fancier features of premium Bluetooth speakers specified arsenic nan Sonos Roam 2. While its relationship utilizes Bluetooth 5.3, you’re retired of luck for Wi-Fi connectivity aliases higher-res codecs specified arsenic LDAC aliases ALAC. And if you’re looking for nan auto-tuning smarts that immoderate high-end speakers offer, hide it: you’re ne'er going to find it successful a speaker this cheap.

Where nan StormBox 2 does radiance complete almost immoderate different speaker, however, is its artillery life; it makes nan Energizer Bunny look for illustration a bone-idle clock-watcher. Tribit estimates nan speaker will past you up to 24 hours of coagulated listening time. Wanting to put this to nan test, I ran it for six hours astatine 50% volume, during which it mislaid little than 20% of its battery. At that rate, you could perchance eke retired up to 30 hours usage retired of it, which is conscionable ludicrous – moreover my astir epic, 22-hour-long playlist wouldn’t travel adjacent to tuckering retired this speaker.

• Features score: 4/5

Tribit StormBox 2 review: sound quality

• Lush mids and rich | bass – but only successful XBass mode
• Premium speakers connection much precision and clearer soundstage
• Capable of eardrum-perforating volume

For its price, nan Tribit StormBox 2 offers awesome sound. Firing up St. Thomas by Sonny Rollins, I was instantly struck by really crisp and contiguous nan toms sounded. The richly timbred sax soars supra everything, while beneath it you tin still perceive nan soft statement bully and clear, thing not each speakers could person delivered truthful well. All successful all, I person small to kick astir erstwhile it comes to nan mediate of nan mix.

As is often nan lawsuit pinch fund Bluetooth speakers, though, nan StormBox 2 does occasionally travel complete itself astatine nan precocious end. Sometimes, nan wound of nan guitars successful Fleetwood Mac’s Go Your Own Way sounded a small over-keen to me, for illustration nan treble was a spot overdriven and nan speaker wasn’t rather capable to bring retired capable of their bass tones to soften them.

This presumption was borne retired erstwhile probing nan little frequencies nan speaker could manage. Playing thing pinch a spot of low-end heft, specified arsenic Nobody But You by George Fitzgerald, nan StormBox does an admirable occupation of communicating nan low-mids. However, erstwhile you comparison it to nan move punch of bassier speakers specified arsenic nan JBL Flip 6, everything feels a small looser successful nan lowest frequencies. It’s conscionable a small excessively soft to person immoderate impact, for illustration being deed by a cotton-candy cannonball.

Fortunately, location is simply a measurement to return attraction of this. Flicking connected XBass mode helped mitigate immoderate of that wooliness. The footwear conscionable has a spot much punch, while nan bassline resonates overmuch more, giving nan full sound much glue, moreover while preserving delicate elements specified arsenic that soft line. Even though it’s lacking those nether 70Hz sub tones, XBass really helps to springiness things much condemnation and I recovered myself conscionable leaving it connected by default.

When putting its pairing options to nan test, I was pleasantly amazed by really convincing a stereo section 2 linked StormBox 2’s created. Listening to my go-to stereo testing track, Manchild by Eels, location was nary appreciable lag betwixt each portion and nan separation was precise. The samples were appropriately separated connected each broadside of nan mix, while nan harmonizing of E’s vocals washed complete maine from either ear, creating a gorgeous layered effect. Not bad for $135.98 / £120 / AU$258, each in.

Despite this, comparing nan full sound to a five-star speaker specified arsenic nan Sonos Roam 2, nan quality betwixt their 2 audio profiles was beautiful clear to me. While nan Tribit is undeniably punchier – astatine slightest pinch XBass mode on, anyhow – nan Sonos is acold much discriminating, giving each constituent successful nan operation greater separation and breathing room. Naturally, you’d expect amended poise from nan Roam 2’s little lossy audio codecs, but it's worthy considering nan capacity of a much premium speaker.

However, what nan StormBox 2 lacks successful finesse it much than makes up for successful position of sheer volume. For nan immense mostly of contexts, I recovered 50% measurement was precocious capable to flood nan room pinch confident, 360-degree sound. Cranking up nan measurement arsenic precocious arsenic 80% did yet commencement to show immoderate ragged edges and limiting, but this was besides past nan level wherever nan loudness had started to wounded my ears. In nan immense mostly of scenarios, this speaker is plentifulness large capable without sacrificing excessively overmuch successful position of quality.

• Sound score: 3.5 / 5

Tribit StormBox 2 review: design

• Not nan astir breathtaking design
• Strap isn’t that usable
• Rugged build and IPX7 waterproofing

When it comes to its looks, nan Tribit StormBox 2 hardly reinvents nan wheel. It’s nan benignant of cylindrical-ish portion pinch drivers either extremity that’s almost truthful acquainted astatine this constituent to beryllium a creation cliche. It besides features 3 rubberised buttons connected its look – a information play / region and a elephantine measurement positive and minus combo. There are nary vibrant colour options connected connection here, either. To paraphrase nan industrialist and automotive pioneer Henry Ford: "look, it comes successful achromatic – for illustration it aliases lump it".

But not each speaker has to beryllium an artistic revolution. And nan StormBox 2 is pleasing enough: nan cloth that wraps astir its halfway feels hard-wearing yet pleasant to nan touch. Thanks to its 2.72-inch (69mm) depth, it sits comfortably capable successful your grip, while a weight of conscionable 1.54lbs (699g) intends it’s easy capable to transportation astir wherever you go. Its strap is simply a spot of a misstep, though: you can’t easy unclip it, making it difficult to loop it done a loop loop aliases container strap, truthful you’re purely reliant connected your meathooks here.

The Tribit is besides suitably rugged. Thanks to its sturdy build and rigid end-caps, it should past knocks and falls without thing much than cosmetic damage. On apical of this, its IPX7 standing protects it from a plunge successful up to 1m for up to 30 minutes. To trial this out, I sprayed immoderate h2o complete it and allowed it to barren earlier powering it up again. I besides gave it a thorough baptizing successful TechRadar’s testing tank, first letting it merrily bob on connected nan aboveground earlier afloat submerging it for a minute. I’m pleased to opportunity that it bounced backmost from some of these dousings pinch zero damage, coming retired of it sounding arsenic responsive arsenic ever, which puts it up location pinch galore of nan best waterproof speakers.

• Design score: 3 / 5

Tribit StormBox 2 review: value

• Cheaper than immoderate akin sounding rivals
• Not a lucifer for much premium speakers

When doing a side-by-side comparison, nan Tribit StormBox 2 evidently isn’t going to hit much costly speakers specified arsenic nan Roam 2 aliases moreover nan JBL Flip 6. You can’t expect nan benignant of precision and value that pricier components and little lossy codecs tin deliver.

However, what nan StormBox 2 does for its value is earnestly impressive. With its speakers, Tribit is helping to redefine what you tin expect from nan bargain extremity of nan market. If nan biggest point you attraction astir is getting arsenic overmuch worth arsenic you tin compression retired $67.99 / £60 / AU$129, this is nan speaker you should choose. If you’re wanting thumping bass aliases audiophile-grade sound, you’ll person to walk a spot much to get it.

• Value score: 5/5

Should you bargain nan Tribit StormBox 2?

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Tribit StormBox 2 review: besides consider

Tribit StormBox 2 review: really I tested

• Tested nan instrumentality complete 2 weeks utilizing aggregate sources
• Compared it nan Sonos Roam 2 and JBL Flip 6
• Used circumstantial benchmarking tests to measure artillery and waterproofing

I tested nan Tribit StormBox 2 complete nan people of 2 weeks. I listened to nan TechRadar testing playlist and tracks successful a assortment of different genres to make judge I’d built up an meticulous image of its sonic profile. In addition, I utilized aggregate sources, including Spotify and Apple Music. I compared it broadside by broadside pinch different class-leading Bluetooth speakers, including nan Sonos Roam 2 and JBL Flip 6.

To trial its battery, I ran nan speaker for six hours astatine 50% measurement to spot really overmuch it declined, earlier dividing this by nan magnitude nan artillery had decreased to get its wide playing time. To trial nan waterproofing, I sprayed nan speaker pinch water, dried it retired and tested its functionality again, arsenic good arsenic afloat submerging nan speaker successful 12 inches (30cm) of h2o and doing nan same.

I person complete 10 years of acquisition reviewing and penning astir tech products and person tested galore Bluetooth speakers, arsenic good arsenic different audio equipment, during that time. I’ve besides spent galore years producing audio and music, which has fixed maine a batch of first-hand acquisition astatine assessing nan capacity of audio products.

Read much astir really we test

• First reviewed: October 2024