Tribit StormBox Micro 2 Review: A Versatile Bluetooth Speaker That Plays Even if You Wear it in the Rain

Tribit StormBox Micro 2 Portable Speaker Review

I love Bluetooth® speakers. We review a lot of them. So far, Tribit’s little square gem stands out as a compact, rugged, and powerful little speaker that is designed to sit on a desk or be strapped on and taken into the wilderness. At $60 (often less), it’s a bargain.

What we like

Pros

• Simple to use
• Bluetooth® for extended range
• Portable and wearable
• Rugged IP67 rating
• Excellent sound for a speaker of this price and size
• Delivers stereo in pairs
• Powerbank
• Strap for attaching to things

And when I say “strapped on,” I mean just that. A thick rubber strap wraps around the back of the Tribit StormBox Micro 2. It can be wrapped around bicycle handles, looped onto backpacks, or hung from a support rail on an awning.

It’s also simple. A power button turns it on, a Bluetooth button manages Bluetooth connections, and an LED light delivers battery status. And those Bluetooth connections employ Bluetooth 5.3 for extended range, up to 120 feet. The speaker will remember up to eight paired devices and connect to two simultaneously.

But simplicity can be deceptive. The Tribit StormBox Micro 2 doesn’t scream powerbank like a JBL Charge does. There is no USB-A port for providing power. The StormBox’s USB-C port, however, is bi-directional. Connect a device to that port that is asking for power rather than sending it, and the little speaker will respond.

Using it to charge will cut into the speaker’s 12 hours of playtime, however. Worried about not being ready? The Tribit StormBox Micro 2’s  3.6V/4700mAh battery will purposefully wait on standby for up to 30 days.

Feature control comes from three light-grey buttons that rise above the fabric grill. A “-,” a “+,” and a “o.” As expected, the “-” and “+” buttons handle discrete and continuous volume control. The center “o” or Multifunctional Button ( MFB) handles play/pause, next/previous track, and activating Siri—which embeds Tribit’s target audience in its manual. The MFB also handles call management.

Interestingly, Tribit seems to avoid positioning the StormBox Micro 2 as a speakerphone, though it can clearly serve this purpose in a pinch. The Multifunction “o” button manages calls, according to the manual, even if the marketing pages don’t mention that feature or the speaker’s microphone.

Worrying about power outdoors isn’t the only concern when hiking or biking, or just walking. What about dust? Water? With an IP67 rating, neither should worry StormBox Micro 2 powers. The rubberized bottom delivers good hand and surface grip.

The 10W speaker delivers good sound from its 48mm neodymium magnet driver. Tribit’s XBAss offers richer sound with its specially tuned DSP. As a podcast listener, I find the Tribit StormBox Micro 2 well-tuned for voices. That comes across in music as well, with crisp vocals across tracks, enticing sing-alongs in the late afternoon when the reviews have been posted, and the world (at least my world) needs some music.

Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to test it in stereo mode, which would improve the listening experience, especially indoors. [Update: I was able to test the stereo feature after receiving a second StormBox Micro 2. Once configured, which requires putting the units in party mode first, then stereo putting them in stereo-mode. English verbal confirmations affirm stereo mode. It worked on the first try. My favorite thing about stereo-mode, besides the separated audio channels, is the confirmation on start-up of which unit is left and right. No need to guess. Once paired in stereo-mode, they stay in stereo mode. Many Bluetooth speakers accommodate this feature, but it is particularly well implemented on the StormBox Micro 2.]

I like the musical phrases used for power-on and Bluetooth connections, but I would rather have verbal cues.

What could be improved

Cons

• No auxiliary input

The one con speaks for itself, and in a wireless world, it’s more of a nostalgic feature than a necessity. I’ll also add a call for less single-use plastic in packaging.

This is the best small speaker I have tested to date.

Tribit StormBox Micro 2 Portable Speaker: The bottom line

Tribit has designed a simple, sonorous, portable speaker that demonstrates the upper bounds of current small speaker technology. It’s a deal at under $60. Two of these speakers in stereo mode may be the only speakers most people need.

Tribit provided the StormBox Micro 2 Portable Speaker for review. Images courtesy of Tribit unless otherwise noted.

Serious Insights is an Amazon Affiliate. Clicking on an Amazon link may result in a payment to Serious Insights.

For more serious insights on hardware and accessories, click here.