REVIEW – When you see a Tribit speaker, your first thought might be, “That looks like a (insert speaker model here) speaker. Maybe that’s part of Tribit’s genius. They make some of their speakers look like another brand without downright copying them. For instance, The Tribit StormBox Flow resembles the Bose SoundLink Flex. The Tribit StormBox Micro looks like a (now discontinued) JBL Wind 35. And now the Tribit StormBox 2 Portable Wireless Speaker could be related to the UE Boom with its circular design and large volume controls on its side.
Despite the resemblances to other brand speakers, Tribit has managed to be unique in two important areas: Lower prices and great audio. Does this trend continue with the StormBox 2?
What is it?
The Tribit StormBox 2 Portable Wireless Speaker is a handheld speaker that can be used almost anywhere. It is the successor to the original StormBox, but with upgraded and added features.
The basic shape, size, and materials are unchanged. However, the StormBox 2 will now work with other (newer) Tribit speakers in TWS (True Wireless Stereo) mode. More on this later. Bluetooth is also now 5.3, resulting in better audio with increased range—more than double the range of the original StormBox! Playtime on a full charge has been slightly upgraded to 24 hours vs. 20 hours with the original StormBox. Note that volume can affect battery life. A free smartphone app is now included.
The StormBox 2 comes wrapped in a sturdy cloth, much like other Tribit speakers. My StormBox Micro has a similar cloth exterior and it has held up well for over 2 years. The speaker has an IPX7 waterproof rating, meaning it can remain submerged at 3 ft. for up to 30 minutes without damage.
Four lighted buttons are at the speaker’s rear: On/off, Bluetooth pairing, XBass, and TWS mode. The AUX and charging ports are lower down—protected by a thick, waterproof rubberized cover. A small carrying strap (lanyard) is attached to the top end. Unfortunately, the strap does not have a snap, so wrapping it around something is difficult if not impossible.
The front of the StormBox 2 features three overly large buttons: Volume up (+), Pause/play (O), and Volume down ( | ). Each button’s function is instantly recognizable by its shape.
Each end of StormBox has a passive radiator for increased bass. The speakers are set for 360° surround sound, so it can be facing in any direction without affecting the audio.
What’s included?
- StormBox 2 speaker
- USB-C to USB-A charging cable
- Manual
Tech specs
Click to expand
- Dimensions: 7 in. x 2.72 in. x 2.72 in. (HxWxD)
- Weight: 1.54 lbs.
- Power: 34 Watts
- Playtime: 24 hours
- Bluetooth: 5.3
- TWS mode
- App
Design and features
You would be hard-pressed to visually tell the difference between the original StormBox and the StormBox 2 Portable Wireless Speaker. However, living with the newer speaker is much easier with its built-in improvements.
Right away, you’ll notice the downloadable Tribit app that improves or customizes the audio to your taste with its built-in equalizer. Tribit includes 5 EQ modes as well as a custom option. I quickly made my own EQ setting, named it, and am now using it. Tribit includes an XBass button which (you guessed it) accentuates bass. This can help outdoors, where bass can get lost with no walls to reflect sound waves.
The StormBox 2 speaker can be set in either a vertical or horizontal position. When vertical, one of the two passive radiators faces down close to the surface it’s standing on. This can increase bass response a bit vs. lying on its side with both radiators facing outward. Either way, the StormBox 2 sounds good to great. It’s no surprise—I’ve come to expect that from Tribit.
I decided to leave the StormBox 2 speaker’s EQ on my own custom setting. I like how my music sounds, no matter the genre. One unusual difference I’ve noticed is that I prefer the XBass off vs on. Maybe it’s because I’ve compensated with my own EQ, but when on, the XBass adds a bit of harshness to the sound. It’s as if some treble frequencies have been increased along with the bass. So, I just leave it off. Your ears may hear something completely different. It’s part of the fun of audio listening.
I’ve been sampling many songs with the StormBox 2 speaker. The dual speakers (with the passive radiators) fill my studio quite well, especially due to its small size. Granted, the speaker can’t compete with desktop speakers, but it’s not designed for that. However, if you have a small bedroom or dorm room, the StormBox 2 can be a great speaker for both desktop (paired with a laptop) or portable use.
Then there’s True Wireless Stereo (TWS). This is Tribit’s strength that they don’t promote enough. Since their portable speakers are priced so well, I strongly recommend buying two and using TWS as often as possible. Two paired StormBox speakers are more than the sum of the parts. Not only is audio improved in both quality and volume, you can achieve that “invisible speaker” only possible using true stereo mode. You have to hear it to appreciate it.
What I like about the Tribit StormBox 2 Portable Wireless Speaker
- Great price
- Wonderful TWS mode (requires two speakers)
- Easy to use
- Useful smartphone app
What needs to be improved?
- The strap could be longer and be able to snap
Final thoughts
The XSound Plus 2, StormBox Flow, and StormBox 2 are priced within a few bucks of each other. This can be confusing, especially if you can’t test the speakers before buying. They all sound good. If you prefer audio clarity over bass impact, The StormBox Flow is the one to get although it’s not as tough as the StormBox 2. The XSound Plus 2 is a good all-rounder speaker for indoor use. But if it’s ruggedness you want, I recommend the Tribit StormBox 2 Portable Wireless Speaker over the others. It offers good sound both indoors and outdoors. But buy two if you can. You won’t regret it.
Price: $67.99
Where to buy: Tribit and Amazon
Source: The sample of this product was provided for free by Tribit. Tribit did not have a final say on the review and did not preview the review before it was published.
