STEREO GUIDE verdict
+ Balanced, natural sound tuning
+ very rich, clean bass
+ high level reserves
+ great app with good equalizer
+ Power bank function and AUX input, standard power supply unit.
+ very solid construction
- high weight restricts mobility somewhat
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Sound: naturalness / transparency7.3
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Sound: Bass / Dynamics8.5
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Practice / Connectivity9.2
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Price/Performance9.5
Tribit is a big one among the small ones, if you look at the STEREO GUIDE Bluetooth speaker rankings. But the brand new Tribit Stormbox Blast relates to the Stormbox Micro 2 like a heavy motorcycle to an e-scooter. This party speaker weighs in at around 5.5 kilos and feels really firm in the hand with its solid handle. It invites you to wear it on your shoulder like one of those ghetto blasters from the last century. The Bluetooth 5.3-equipped speaker not only promises a much clearer sound than the tapes of the classic models. She also pulls off a splashy light show with a total of 32 LEDs flickering to the rhythm of the beats.
If you press the light symbol on the perfectly designed and labeled keypad, as is customary at Tribit, you can save energy, even though our Minister of Economics recently assured us that we don’t have an electricity problem. That is not relevant in this case either, but it is an effective adjustment screw to extend the battery life for parties in the park or beach parties. You don’t have to seriously consider the up to 30 hours promised by the manufacturer with the light shows. However, if there is a power outlet within reach at the party location, the light and sound can be turned up without inhibitions: Tribit delivers the comparatively inexpensively priced Bluetooth speaker with a standard power supply unit. This also charges the 2200 mAh battery in less than four hours.
Light show and lots of power
On the baffle, framed by two wedge-shaped LED bars, sit two 3cm tweeters and two 11 cm bass-midrange drivers. They are driven by 2 x 15 or 2 x 30 watts, i.e. 90 watts of total power. The two tweeters placed on the outside at both ends of the baffle for the widest possible soundstage support the iridescent light bars at the front with their membranes illuminated by light organ effects. On both sides of the cabinet, square passive bass radiators provide additional sound pressure in the lower octaves. If the beats can never be fat enough, you can give them an additional boost with the XBass button.
Tribit app with useful functions
In the Tribit app for iOS and Android, the sound of the Stormbox Blast can be customized even more. On the one hand, this is done via seven equalizer presets (“Music”, “XBass”, “Audiobook”, “Classical”, “Jazz”, “Party” and “Rock”). But there is also a 9-band equalizer available for very fine, individual sound adjustment. The EQ settings can be saved. Otherwise, the Tribit app, which requires registration via email for full functionality, can be used to influence the light show, adjust or deactivate the automatic shutdown, and transfer firmware updates to the party box via Bluetooth.
So that the beach party at the Tribit Stormbox Blast does not leave any lasting traces, it is so well protected against water with IPX7 that it could even be submerged one meter. To protect the ports on the back from splashing water and dirt, they are hidden under a rubber flap. With its USB-A port, the Tribit Stormbox Blast can act as a power bank, supplying power to a smart device while it plays music via Bluetooth or via the analog 3.5 mm AUX jack input. Thus, the Bluetooth speaker is also well equipped in terms of connectivity.
Before we get to the listening test, we don’t want to forget to appreciate the exemplary large, perfectly marked and optimally placed keys on the top of the sturdy case. They are used for volume control, playback control, activation/deactivation of the light effects and switching on the XBass boost. Individual key symbols are even illuminated to indicate the function. That is truly exemplary.
Listening test: Stormbox Blast takes hearts by storm
The lush mass also seems to be reflected in the sound with its massive sound. The party box not only puts on a colorful light show, it also produces plenty of bass. The tuning should resonate well with clubbers in terms of price and size. The Stormbox Blast is tuned very low and seems really rich when you press the XBass button. Despite the boost, which is especially welcome for hip hop or electro pop, the contours of the beats remain remarkably clean. If you like a really dry bass, you can always switch to normal mode. And if you want even more fullness, you can help yourself in the app. The equalizer presets are well done, and the individual EQ has nine bands for fine adjustment.
Despite its focus on disco and clubs, Tribit doesn’t let vocal reproduction go to waste. The midrange reproduction of the Stormbox Blast is extremely natural for its class. Thus, even rock voices and even jazz musicians retain their ancestral flair. In addition, there are well dosed, well resolved highs. This promises music playback as if from a single mold. However, the formidable low-frequency reproduction stands out particularly impressively. If you love parties and are looking for a suitable Bluetooth speaker for sound reinforcement, you will hardly find anything better at this price. The punch is rich and you can hardly get better precision even at twice the price. But you heave to accept, that the bass looses precision, when you push it too hard at high volume, especially with the XBass activated.
Solid performance
In view of the exceptionally high weight, the rich performance is not all that surprising. In terms of the comparatively low price, yes. It’s hard to believe what Tribit comes up with here for a “grown-up” Bluetooth speaker in this class. The Stormbox Blast is an outstanding product that challenges the long-established brand manufacturers from Japan and the USA. Finally, the extremely solid sound is complemented by extensive features and a decidedly confidence-inspiring build quality.
Blast not least: Test conclusion on the Tribit Stormbox Blast
We have tested numerous very good party speakers at STEREO GUIDE, but the JBL PartyBox 310 was much larger and, despite its extendable handle and integrated wheels, correspondingly more difficult to transport. And the two Sonys, the SRS-XG300 and SRS-XG500 cost more than the Tribit Stombox Blast. And even the formidable Mackie Thump Go is less portable and costs twice as much in stores. So it’s closest rival is the JBL Boombox 3 which we could directly compare to the Tribit Stormbox Blast.
Specifications: Tribit Stormbox Blast
- Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price: 200 Euro
- Dimensions (W x H x D): 40.5 cm x 22.6 x 16.3 cm
- Weight: 5.5 g
- Battery life up to 30 hours
- Features: IPX7 waterproof, rigid carrying handle, LED light organ.
- More at: www.tribit.com
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