Tribit Stormbox Pro Review: Perfectly Portable, Weirdly Flawed

First impressions are essential, and I used to be very impressed by the Tribit Stormbox Pro after I pulled it out of its field. This transportable Bluetooth speaker has a enjoyable bassy sound, beams audio in all instructions, and has the proper type issue for out of doors actions. Sadly, I can’t base my evaluate of the Tribit Stormbox Professional on first impressions.

This speaker does a variety of issues proper. In some methods, it’s the most effective transportable audio system on this worth vary. However after testing two Tribit Stormbox Execs over just a few months, I bumped into some irritating issues that each potential buyer ought to learn about.

Specs

• Drivers: 3-inch Subwoofer, 2 x 40mm Audio system, 2 x Passive Radiators
• Output Energy: 2 x 7.5W + 25W
• Frequency Vary: 60Hz – 20kHz
• Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0
• Codecs: aptX
• Water Resistance: IP67
• Charging: USB-C
• Powerbank Performance: Costs telephones by USB-A port.
• Battery Measurement: 10,000mAh (Two 5,000mAh batteries in collection)
• 3.55 “AUX” Enter: No
• Constructed-In Microphone: Sure, for speakerphone and voice assistants.
• Get together Mode: Sure, you may pair two of those audio system collectively.

Strong Audio with a Few Footnotes

Sound high quality from the Tribit Stormbox Professional is about what I anticipated, contemplating the value and type issue of the speaker. It doesn’t sound like a full-sized stereo setup, and the mid-range is unquestionably a bit missing. But it surely’s loud sufficient for a pool social gathering or cookout, it’s omnidirectional, and it has a ton of bass.

And for while you need extra bass, there’s an enormous button that claims “XBass.” You’re not going to get the perfect sound high quality when XBass is enabled, however hey, it makes the music extra enjoyable, particularly while you’re having fun with it with different folks.

To be clear, I’m not attempting to canine the Tribit Stormbox Professional for its sound high quality. You’ll by no means discover an amazing-sounding speaker with stunning stereo separation on this type issue—no less than, not in my view. That’s simply the trade-off for a speaker that weighs three kilos and may pump sound in all instructions directly.

Now, Tribit might have improved issues a bit with pre-set EQs (or a customized EQ device in a smartphone app). However I perceive why Tribit skipped this characteristic. Most individuals wouldn’t trouble taking part in with EQ settings, so perhaps it’s not price the additional R&D prices.

I also needs to word that this speaker has a Get together Mode. For those who purchase two Tribit Stormbox Professional audio system, you may pair them collectively for true stereo separation and all that good things. Tribit despatched me two audio system, and in my testing, the Get together Mode sounds actually spectacular! However in most conditions, a single speaker was all I actually wished to make use of. Protecting two issues charged and useful is additional work.

Right here’s my solely main grievance; whereas the Tribit Stormbox Professional can get fairly loud, cranking the amount all the way in which can distort audio, notably when XBass is enabled. For those who’re a great and quiet neighbor, I don’t suppose this shall be an issue, nevertheless it’s been an issue for me.

Watch Out for Producer Defects

Talking of cranking the amount, I’ve seen that one among my Tribit Stormbox Professional audio system makes a loud “pop” noise at excessive volumes. Like, a really loud and sudden “pop,” just like what you hear when a automotive or house sound system has free or crossed wires.

This occurs simply as soon as in a blue moon, and once more, it solely impacts one of many audio system I’ve examined. However I believe it’s a symptom of poor wiring; the vibrations from the speaker are doing one thing to the wires.

I’ve run into dozens of buyer opinions complaining about Tribit Stormbox Professional audio system that gained’t maintain a cost and make a loud “pop” when making an attempt to activate, so this sort of defect could also be considerably frequent. To make clear, I don’t suppose that this downside could be very scary. The loud “pop” noise comes from the speaker drivers, not the battery. If I’m appropriate, the audio system are simply freaking out due to an interrupted or wonky electrical sign.

Tribit appears to be superb at changing faulty audio system and refunding clients, which is good. However I nonetheless should take off factors for this downside—if I had by no means encountered it, I’d have scored the Stormbox Professional a 7/10.

Distinctive Battery Life and Reverse Charging

Apart from its worth, the battery life is the primary promoting level for this speaker. It’s solely a ten,000mAh battery, nevertheless it lasts for about 24 hours on a cost (at an affordable quantity). That’s greater than sufficient for a visit to the seaside, a protracted cookout, a pool social gathering, and most different social occasions. It’s additionally double what you’ll get with equally priced audio system just like the JBL Flip 6.

You may also use the Tribit Stormbox Professional as a transportable battery to your cellphone, or any USB-powered machine, for that matter. It’s an attention-grabbing characteristic in a pinch, however in case you’re going someplace the place your cellphone might die, you need to simply carry a separate battery. Batteries with a ten,000mAh capability price round $20 now.

My solely grievance is that the speaker itself takes six or seven hours to cost. I’m unsure why a ten,000mAh battery takes that lengthy to cost over USB-C—low-cost elements? Anyway, it’s not the largest downside on this planet, nevertheless it’s a minor annoyance for folks (like me) who are likely to prepare for out of doors excursions on the final minute.

A Design for Rain or Shine

Tribit wins a ton of factors for this speaker’s design. It solely weighs about three kilos and has a (surprisingly sturdy) rubber carrying deal with. You’ll be able to simply stuff it in a bag, clip it in a carabiner, and dangle it from a hook in your kitchen, lavatory, or storage.

Plus, with an IP67 dust- and water-resistance rating, the Tribit Stormbox Pro is well suited for any outdoor activities. I’ve dragged this speaker to the beach and floated with it in the springs. It’s survived every trip, even through rain.

And when the speaker’s material exterior will get soiled, I simply rinse it off. In response to the IP67 certification, it ought to face up to submersion in a meter of water for thirty minutes, so a fast rinse is okay.

You may also use the Stormbox Professional within the bathe. Simply remember that laborious water and cleaning soap scum might construct up on the speaker’s material floor after just a few months. (Though I suppose that is true for any Bluetooth speaker.)

The Pairing Course of Is Terrible

Controlling a speaker shouldn’t be rocket science. I simply need to flip it on, pair my cellphone, alter the amount, and do no matter with none hassle. However the Tribit Stormbox Professional’s pairing course of is a nightmare.

The preliminary setup could be very simple. However as soon as the Tribit Stormbox Professional is linked with a tool, it simply pretends that nothing else exists. I’ve to disable Bluetooth on no matter machine is presently linked with the speaker each time I enter pairing mode. In any other case, it simply connects again to that outdated machine (which is very inconvenient when a pal or roommate is the final one to make use of the speaker).

Additionally, the speaker doesn’t let you know issues like “pairing” or “pairing full.” It simply makes a bunch of watery “bleep boop” noises. I’m positive that that is to keep away from language limitations within the worldwide market, and that’s nice. However I don’t know what “bleep bloop” or “woOOosh” means!

The Tribit Stormbox Professional’s lack of a 3.5mm jack simply provides insult to harm. I’d love to attach a brand new audio supply with out going by the pairing course of. However I can’t, so I’ve to undergo the “bleep bloop” dance as a substitute.

The Gist: Nicely, This Is a Pickle

Of all of the audio system on this worth vary, the Tribit Stormbox Professional has the most effective designs for out of doors actions—particularly small events, tenting journeys, and seaside days. The carrying deal with is superior, it’s water resistant, the battery rocks, and the omnidirectional drivers produce a enjoyable, bassy sound.

It’s only a disgrace that the Stormbox Professional suffers from such bizarre issues. I can type of overlook the shortage of an AUX cable or customizable EQ, as these options are lacking from a ton of Bluetooth audio system. However the pairing course of is a multitude and producer defects appear considerably frequent—these two issues make the Stormbox Professional tough to suggest and not using a large asterisk.

So, I’ll say this; Amazon has an important return coverage, and the Tribit Stormbox Professional goes on sale no less than as soon as a month (simply examine the price history). For those who’re enticed by its options or specs, watch for a type of month-to-month gross sales and take a shot. Once more, if I hadn’t run into so many studies of defects, I’d’ve rated this speaker a 7/10, and that ranking can be even increased if not for the pairing course of.