Tribit StormBox Micro Evaluation: River-Examined, Ears-Authorised

Tribit StormBox Micro overview: River-tested, ears-approved

MSRP $49.99

“The StormBox Micro is sturdy, sounds good, and is remarkably inexpensive”

Execs

• IP67 climate resistance ranking
• Distinctive Bluetooth vary
• Good sound high quality
• Light-weight, transportable design

Cons

• Boring aesthetic
• Battery could possibly be higher

A collection of occasions occurred in near-perfect succession: One weekend, I rediscovered my love of river floating, a soothing, socially distant exercise that shines as one of many extra pleasant issues to do on a heat summer time Sunday afternoon. The important thing ingredient lacking was good, easy-listening music. I had Bluetooth audio system, however none that I might confidently take close to the water.

So, the subsequent week, when my editor instructed me I’d be enhancing the $50 Tribit StormBox Micro transportable Bluetooth speaker, I couldn’t wait to get began.

Out of the field

The packaging, very like the speaker itself, is kind of small. Accordingly, the contents of stated packaging are minimal; there’s the StormBox Micro, a USB-C charging cable, and a fast begin information. That’s basically it, and actually that’s all you actually need.

Nick Woodard/Digital Tendencies

The setup course of is sort of nonexistent. Merely energy the speaker on by way of the button on the facet of the Micro, maintain the Bluetooth button proper subsequent to it for 2 seconds, and the Micro will enter pairing mode. From there, you realize the drill: Discover the speaker in your machine’s Bluetooth settings, make the connection, and begin having fun with your music.

I put the Micro at one finish of my yard and went as distant as my property would let me, and the Micro continued to pump out tunes and not using a glitch.

The StormBox Micro comes with Bluetooth 5 tech, and Tribit claims it helps a 100-foot vary. Whereas I can’t verify that precise quantity, I can say the vary is spectacular. I put the Micro at one finish of my yard and went as distant as my property would let me, and the Micro continued to pump out tunes and not using a glitch.

Design

Cease my if I’ve stated this earlier than, however the StormBox Micro is small. The square-shaped speaker is 3.87 by 3.87 inches round, and about 1.4 inches tall. It weighs about 10 ounces, which to place into perspective, is heavier than your commonplace smartphone however no bulkier than an overstuffed pockets. In different phrases, the scale of the Micro scream portability.

Nick Woodard/Digital Tendencies

The aesthetic of the Micro isn’t nice. In reality, I’d say it’s downright boring, with a ridged mesh cowl throughout the highest and Tribit’s brand sitting squarely within the center. That stated, I’d additionally say the aesthetic shouldn’t matter to most individuals on this speaker. Try to be extra centered on its sturdiness, and the Micro does really feel like it might probably take a beating. And from my expertise, it might probably. I dropped it as I used to be traversing a steep bankside on my means right down to the river, however I used to be in a position to retrieve it, mud it off, and proceed jamming out like nothing occurred.

There are three controls on the highest of the speaker: Quantity up, quantity down, and a multi-function button. The amount buttons do what you assume they might, and the multi-function button can pause and skip tracks, activate your sensible assistant, or navigate cellphone calls. Sure, you possibly can reply, reject, and toggle between two completely different cellphone calls on this $50 Bluetooth speaker.

The Micro additionally has a tear-resistant strap that Tribit says you should use to connect the speaker to your bike or backpack. It’s slightly small to be universally helpful, however it’s versatile and I looped it via a strap on my mountaineering backpack with out challenge. To be clear, I didn’t use the Micro whereas mountaineering. Please, don’t be the one that blasts Cardi B whereas mountaineering.

Options

For most individuals, that is going to be a very powerful a part of this overview. The very fact of the matter is, there’s an countless variety of Bluetooth audio system you should purchase, lots of which is able to give you pleasantly respectable sound for the same worth. However while you seek for one thing that may deal with the weather and tackle the fixed grind of an outside life-style for hours on finish, the choices slim dramatically.

Nick Woodard/Digital Tendencies

The StormBox Micro has an IP67 weather-resistance ranking, which protects it towards mud and being submerged in as much as a meter of water. To check the bounds of this speaker, I took the Micro out on the river with a number of mates. It sat tethered to a rope on the sting of our raft, constantly taking over water as we paddled away from rocks and pointy sticks. I ended in need of dropping the Micro underwater, as a result of I had issues each in regards to the buoyancy of the speaker and the depth of the river, but it surely received completely soaked and didn’t skip a beat throughout our float.

You’re going to wish to hold that USB-C charging cable helpful for a multi-day tenting journey, however the Micro has simply the correct quantity of juice for a full day of enjoyable.

The Micro additionally has a claimed eight hours of battery life, which is respectable for a speaker of this dimension. The Micro ended up offering us fixed music for 2 consecutive floating journeys and the barbeque that ensued afterward. You’re going to wish to hold that USB-C charging cable helpful for a multi-day tenting journey, however the Micro has simply the correct quantity of juice for a full day of enjoyable.

Audio high quality

Look, I’m not going to inform you that the Micro is able to issues which are bodily unbelievable for a speaker its dimension. In case you’re on the lookout for bigger than life sound, attempt the Final Ears Hyperboom. In case you’re after extra high-fidelity sound whereas sustaining some climate resistance, attempt the Marshall Emberton and even the Sonos Transfer.

Nick Woodard/Digital Tendencies

In case you’re looking for a pocket-sized speaker that may play louder (and clearer) than it appears attainable for one thing so small, then you definitely’ve come to the best place. The Micro delivers respectable bass, particularly for its dimension, although it gained’t rattle your raft. It sounds fairly clear, and it doesn’t distort at excessive volumes. Talking of excessive volumes, this might not be the speaker of alternative for a high-octane home celebration. However did we bump some Beastie Boys or Zac Brown Band each time we handed onlookers on the banks of the river? You wager your Bluetooth we did.

The sweetest a part of the Micro’s sound functionality, to me, is its capability to pair with one other Micro to create a stereo soundstage. This stereo mode — or Get together Mode, as Tribit calls it — is enabled after you maintain each your Micro’s Bluetooth buttons collectively concurrently for 5 seconds. The consequence considerably improves the audio I discussed above, growing the quantity and bass capabilities twofold. It’s the best way music was meant to be heard, in spite of everything, and I feel a setup like this is able to be much more superb for a yard hangout or a weekend tenting on the lake. The one draw back is that it’s simply going to price you twice as a lot.

To my shock, it’s truly pretty respectable for cellphone calls, if you end up needing that function. The Micro’s microphone is just not nice, however I wouldn’t anticipate it to be in any case. In a nutshell, this isn’t a speaker meant for taking calls, however you are able to do it successfully if it is advisable to. That’s greater than lets say for the Marshall Emberton.

Our take

The StormBox Micro doesn’t oversell itself. It appears to know the type of client it’s for, and it checks all the mandatory containers. It’s sturdy, it sounds good, and it’s remarkably inexpensive for what it gives.

Are there higher options?

The $100 UE Wonderboom has higher battery life at 10 hours, however a worse climate resistance ranking (IPX7). The identical goes for the $100 JBL Flip 4, which has 12 hours of battery life and an IPX7 ranking. Does extra battery however much less safety justify doubling the price of the Micro? I’d say it relies upon solely on what you’re utilizing your Bluetooth speaker for. The brand new river bum in me would go for higher resistance towards the weather.

How lengthy will it final?

Tribit gives an 18-month substitute guarantee, 30-day money-back assure, and lifelong help for the product. Mixed with an IP67 weather-resistance ranking, the StormBox Micro doesn’t appear more likely to fail anytime quickly.

Must you purchase it?

Sure. There are Bluetooth audio system on the market with higher sound and improved battery, however for a $50 bundle that features wonderful climate resistance, good sound, and handy portability, the StormBox Micro is a formidable worth.

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