The popularity of portable Bluetooth speakers never goes down, and that is why we see a number of new launches virtually every year. I have old memories of partying over a Sony SRS series of portable speakers, back when there was very little competition in the portable audio market. Its sound quality was really amazing, but the features the Tribit Stormbox Mini Plus offers make up for the slightly overshadowed sound quality. However, that doesn’t mean the portable blaster cannot deliver foot-thumping music outdoors.
The Tribit Stormbox Mini Plus is a budget-friendly Bluetooth speaker for those who want portability, durability, and decent sound in a well-rounded package. Priced around $39, it promises features usually found in pricier models, such as IPX7 waterproofing, app control, and RGB lighting.
This hands-on review will give you an idea of what features this portable speaker has and where it cuts corners to offer that affordable price tag. You’ll be able to gauge if it is best suited for you, or if other options will be the way to go. We will also explore how it stacks up against the closest competitors to make the buying decision clear-cut.
Design and Build Quality
The Tribit Stormbox Mini Plus impresses right out of the box with its splashproof plastic build with a fabric-coated outer body that makes it quite easy to hold; however, it also includes a handy strap for carrying around. When we first received it from the maker, its cylindrical shape with raised buttons looked like most standard portable speakers available right now, including the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 3.
Weighing 545 grams (1.2 lbs) and roughly 12 cm in height, it appeared a bit bigger and heavier than what I expected. Its size and weight can be somewhat problematic for those looking to take it on backpacking camping trips.
I was able to put it in one of the pockets in my jacket, but it was noticeable even from a far distance. The fabric cover on the outer body does give it a good appearance and grip, but it will surely get dirty over time.
One of the most impressive design features of Stormbox Mini Plus is its IPX7 rating, which means it can be submerged in water up to 1 meter for 30 minutes, making it a perfect companion for poolside fun or beach trips. The first thing we tried was putting some water on its top, and it worked seamlessly without any problem. The water dancing on its top with the thumping music looked really cool. Next, we submerged it in a water container, where it dropped on its back, and the sound faded under the water, which is expected.
Buttons and Controls
The speaker has chunky tactile buttons for volume and playback toggle on the side, while there are smaller buttons on the back to handle power, Bluetooth pairing, and lighting modes but they come with built-in lighting. The volume buttons can also be double-clicked to change the track, while the pause button can also be used to initiate the voice command feature, which is still missing from a number of portable speakers. You can ask it to play any song from YouTube Music.
Audio Performance
This 12W speaker is powered by twin 48mm drivers and a passive radiator that emphasizes vocals and treble. This makes it sound loud, but the lows can feel slightly recessed. In short, it offers great sound in a compact package, but it is definitely not for audiophiles as the highs can be ear-piercing at times. The speaker offers 360-degree sound, which is a nice feature to have in a Bluetooth speaker. No matter how you position it, the sound seems to be coming from all directions. This is great for people who appreciate an open soundstage that is not narrow.
I played Eat Static’s Egypt, which delivered good bass response, even at high volume. Being a fan of traditional pahari folk music, I played some of my favorite songs with frontal vocals, which impressed me a lot. Some songs that were in low quality sounded good, but there was some distortion when played at high volume, and I feel that is common for all kinds of portable speakers because of their physical limitations. Another genre I tried playing was Country Music, which sounded a little bit faded. Perhaps a far cry to expect this tiny speaker to deliver the timbre and nuances of playing multiple instruments at a time.
You can adjust the nine-band equalizer (EQ) through the Tribit app, which gives you enough customization of the entire sound profile depending on your needs. If you are a basshead, you can easily increase the low end using this equalizer. One thing to highlight is that when you adjust the volume through the EQ, you have to first save the EQ, and only then can you listen to live changes in the music as you adjust the bands.
Battery Life and Charging
The Stormbox Mini Plus offers a respectable battery life of up to 12 hours at around 60 percent volume with the LED lighting turned off. In real-world testing, its 10 percent battery from 50 percent was finished in about 30 minutes with lights active. It charges via USB-C in about 2.5 hours, but it would be better if it supported a quick charging feature.
There is a battery indicator onboard the speaker, but it shows up red light when the battery is charging and a blinking white light when the battery is below 20 percent. There are no exact measurements for battery level, which is a downside but not a deal breaker. Furthermore, if you want to check the exact battery life, you can open the mobile app, or go the Bluetooth connection tab in your phone.
Features and Functionality
The portable speaker utilizes Bluetooth 5.4 connectivity to ensure strong and stable connections and supports AAC and SBC codecs. The inclusion of a 3.5mm AUX input is a welcome rarity in this segment, allowing for wired connections for better sound quality than Bluetooth. The RGB lighting feature adds a visual flair with two preset modes that sync with music rhythms, perfect for casual parties or nighttime grooves.
You can also turn off the light show when not required or when you want to save battery life. Another cool feature is that you can also take calls via the built-in mic, but you should stay within a couple of feet for clear conversations. The speaker supports stereo pairing with another Mini Plus, enhancing the soundstage for bigger spaces.
User Experience
The speaker is designed with portability in mind, and its strap and fabric-coated body make it easy to take anywhere. It is waterproof against splashes and can handle accidental drops. The app is straightforward, offering five basic EQ presets and multiple manual adjustments that can be saved for future use. Overall, it is an easy and powerful speaker to set up and operate, well-suited for travel, hikes, or poolside relaxation.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- IPX7 waterproof
- RGB lighting
- Stereo pairing support
- Big sound
- Connects super fast
Cons:
- Big size and heavy
- Bass lacks depth and power at high volumes
- The microphone sensitivity for calls is limited
Comparison with Competitors
Compared to budget rivals like JBL Go 4 or Anker Soundcore 2, the Tribit Stormbox Mini Plus strikes a notable balance between price, sound, and features. We haven’t compared the audio quality with other options in real time, but our research tells us that most of the users say that it offers better bass than JBL Go 4 while also offering additional features like waterproofing and EQ that make it a great choice for outdoor use and those who want to customize the music as per their taste.
When compared with the Anker Soundcore 2 portable Bluetooth speaker, it lacks in terms of output, bass, and battery power. Its audio quality will not surpass pricier models, but it offers great value in the affordable range. Another point to highlight is that this portable speaker is heavier than the JBL Go 4 as well as the Anker Soundcore 2.
Verdict
The Tribit Stormbox Mini Plus has an excellent build, and the fabric-covered design is really cool, which is further enhanced by LED lighting. The StormBox Mini+ gives balanced mids and clear highs with solid (but not ground-shaking) bass, which is impressive for its size and price. The sound overall is good, but may not satisfy clean bass lovers. The highs are crisp and clean, the mids are solid, but the two frequency spectrums can bleed into each other, creating a muddy sound in some tracks. It cannot promise a deep and rumbling audio, but it is a fair choice for more casual listening.
If you are looking for an affordable but feature-rich portable outdoor speaker that ticks most of the boxes, especially for poolside parties or beach trips, the StormBox Mini Plus is a great value. You can buy it for $40 from the official website and Amazon.
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