Tribit StormBox – Review and Test
The Bluetooth box from Tribit promises 360-degree sound and a lot of basses. Tribit StormBox’s XBass technology is supposed to take care of that. Visually, the portable speaker strongly reminds us of the well-known JBL Flip 4. In the test, we compared whether there is a similarity in the feature set and whether the Tribit StormBox is a worthy and affordable alternative.
Tribit StormBox Bluetooth Box – The design of the portable speaker
Tribit offers the StormBox Bluetooth speaker in three different colors. In addition to the black color, Camo and blue-colored variants are available. In terms of design, the device resembles the well-known JBL Flip speakers. The 360-degree sound is realized by an almost complete encasement with a synthetic mesh fabric. The only exceptions are the control buttons and battery indicator, which are located on a fully rubberized surface. In terms of connectivity, Tribit StormBox offers an AUX input and a slot for the USB charging cable. The protective tab of the connectors is difficult to open, but this is due to the waterproofing. The function buttons are Power On/Off, Pairing Mode, and XBass button.
There are passive diaphragm surfaces on both ends of the Tribit Bluetooth speaker that absorb deep bass tones. A similarity to the Ultimate Ears speaker is the large, eye-catching volume controls as plus and minus signs on the synthetic casing. A practical feature is that there is also a multi-function button. This offers easy control of song playback even without necessarily having to use a cell phone or tablet. Depending on the duration or frequency with which the round button is pressed, it switches between songs, pauses, or activates the hands-free function because users can either accept or reject calls.
Tribit StormBox Bluetooth Speaker – Sound and Features
The Tribit StormBox Bluetooth speaker already carries the biggest special feature in its byname: The focus is on bass-heavy sound reproduction, which users can maximize by pressing the XBass button. In the test, we compared the Tribit Bluetooth speaker directly with the JBL Flip 4. The Tribit came out on top when playing songs with a lot of bass, and the sound was also fuller and clearer in the high tones. Only in the mids did JBL Flip 4 defend its superiority. The performance advantage of the Tribit StormBox was surprising in the test and shows a very good price-performance ratio. In a direct comparison, Tribit StormBox scored better than JBL Flip 4.
With the IPX7 protection class, the Bluetooth speaker is not only protected against splashing water, but also during temporary submersion. The device can thus withstand up to 30 minutes underwater without damage. The speaker, therefore, survives music fun in the pool without problems and also survives more intensive contact with water.
What is compatible with the Tribit Bluetooth Box
Owners can use the Tribit speaker with any Bluetooth-enabled tablet or smartphone to stream music. Also, playback can optionally be controlled by voice command through Alexa, Google Assistant, or Siri.
Installation and setup of the Tribit Bass speaker
Installation of the Tribit Bluetooth speaker is simple. Users just need to charge the Tribit Bluetooth box if needed. After that, music fans can get started right away with the following four steps:
- Turn on the Tribit Bluetooth box. The device is directly in pairing mode
- Turn on Bluetooth on the smartphone or tablet and search for new devices
- Select the Tribit speaker
- Then the music is immediately playable
JBL Flip 4 as an alternative to the Tribit StormBox Bluetooth speaker
For those who want to add sound to larger rooms or outdoor areas, the JBL Flip 4 Bluetooth box is a good alternative to the Tribit speaker. Compared to Tribit, not only two, but 100 speakers can be connected, which have JBL Connect+ (Read our review for the JBL Flip 4). The higher feature set is reflected in a higher purchase price. The JBL Flip 4 costs more in stores.
Conclusion of the waterproof Tribit StormBox Bluetooth speaker
With a purchase price of about $55, the Tribit Bluetooth speaker is a cheap alternative compared to Bluetooth speakers from well-known brands like JBL or Ultimate Ears and excels with a similar feature set. The sound is convincing in terms of clearness and keeps what the manufacturer Tribit promises, especially in bass-heavy songs. The company has also equipped the Bluetooth speaker with an XBass function. Users can activate this by pressing a special button. This worked well in our test.
For maximum listening pleasure with several people, music fans can connect two Tribit StormBox speakers. It is a pity that this is not possible with multiple speakers. On the other hand, the look and feel is a clear plus point: The Tribit StormBox speaker feels good in the hand thanks to its rubberized side surface. For outdoor activities, the speaker can be attached to a backpack or bicycle with a strap.
The Tribit StormBox Bluetooth speaker can be recommended to anyone looking for a cheap and good-sounding Bluetooth speaker. Only the battery capacity does not quite reach the level of popular premium speakers.
