Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 evaluation: two-minute evaluation
The Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 is a real bass-heavy behemoth. That is the sequel to Tribit’s massively profitable boombox speaker that gained loads of plaudits right here at TechRadar (and past). However this speaker is far more than only a refined model of its predecessor, packing in a brand new, curved design and even karaoke performance.
Let’s run by way of just a few new sparkly additions and upgrades right here. Sure, you’re getting karaoke, with dual-wireless or wired mic assist, in addition to built-in quantity and reverb controls. On prime of that, the Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 has an improved IP67 dustproof and waterproof ranking, which means it is appropriate for nearly any setting, from beachside to pool occasion. That’s to not point out you additionally get Bluetooth 5.4 connectivity and unbelievable 200W energy output this time round.
However let’s drill down into an important space – sound. Maybe unsurprisingly, the Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 is one other hit within the audio division, supplying managed, earth-shaking bass that even beats out lots of the best Bluetooth speakers. And thunderous bass is definitely the principle attraction right here, with an XBass possibility obtainable if you wish to go loopy with low-end output, possibly excessively so.
All-round audio high quality is powerful too; you’ll be capable of hear particular person instrumental components clearly, with commendable ranges of separation. You could discover that the soundstage can get a contact cluttered on the highest of volumes, however in any other case, you’ll be in for an enthralling, bass-heavy hear, ideally suited for events or out of doors occasions.
Even operating on battery energy, this speaker has double the output energy of its predecessor, the Tribit Stormbox Blast, which means you’ll get some critical quantity. For individuals who crave extra energy, or maybe need left/proper channel stereo separation, you may pair a second mannequin as much as this speaker, too. And there are a bunch of different glorious options accessible through the Tribit app, together with broad EQ choices and LED gentle customization.
Talking of the Stormbox Blast 2’s lights, they’re a tad classier on this iteration, however equally illuminate the speaker’s drivers and edges. The general look of this speaker is definitely an enchancment on its predecessor, although, because of a curvier look – it’s not fairly as blocky or clumsy trying for my part. However one thing that’s going to be divisive right here is that this speaker’s hefty nature. It’s a whopping 19.2lbs / 8.7kg, which means it’s even weightier than the already heavy Stormbox Blast – an achievement in itself.
However there are some extra sensible components to its design, together with a USB-A port for charging exterior units, the selection to cost with an AC adapter or USB-C cable and an unbelievable 30 hour battery life. There’s no voice assistant as soon as extra, which means you gained’t be capable of bark orders or take calls arms free and there’s no possibility to attach over Wi-Fi both – maybe to be anticipated at this worth level – however general, it is a well-designed speaker with loads of nifty options to maintain you entertained.
So, then, is the Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 value its $299 / £257 (about AU$490) price ticket? I’d say so. The true spotlight is its glorious bass output, which is ideal for elevating the environment at a home occasion or comparable setting. It is a heavy beast and audio high quality takes a little bit of a dip at prime volumes, however these points aren’t dealbreakers so far as I’m involved. By way of worth, it’s arduous to look previous the unique Tribit Stormbox Blast, which you’ll seize for round $150 / £150 on sale, however if you need the extra energy and karaoke performance, I can definitely suggest the Tribit Stormbox Blast 2.
Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 evaluation: worth and launch date
- $299.99 / £257 (about AU$490)
- Launched in October 2024
The Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 was launched in October 2024 and carries an inventory worth of $299.99 / £257 (about AU$490). Nevertheless, I’ve already noticed it going for just a little bit much less. As an example, on the time of writing, the Stormbox Blast 2 is on sale for lower than $240, so it’s value holding a watch out for worth cuts.
On the $200-$300 vary, the Stormbox Blast 2 is one thing of a mid-range possibility. It’s definitely not the most affordable Bluetooth speaker on the market – the Anker Soundcore Boom 2, as an illustration – is commonly obtainable for lower than $100 / £100. However some equally sized audio system can set you again considerably additional. Take the JBL Boombox 3, for instance, which instructions a excessive record worth of $499.95 / £373.
Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 evaluation: specs
| Weight | 19.2lbs / 8.7kg |
| Dimensions | 18.8 x 10.2 x 7.6 inches / 477.5 x 259.1 x 193mm |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.4, AUX, mic ports |
| Battery life | 30 hours |
| Speaker drivers | 1x 80W subwoofer; 2x 45W mid-range drivers; 2x 15W tweeters |
| Waterproofing | IP67 |
Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 evaluation: options
- Microphone ports
- Beneficiant 30 hour battery life
- Customizable lights
There’s quite a bit to love with regards to options on the Tribit Stormbox Blast 2. Lots of that comes right down to the easy-to-use Tribit app, which opens the door to a bunch of choices. As an example, there are a bunch of EQ presets: together with XBass (which may be activated on the speaker) and style particular choices like Jazz or Rock. There’s additionally an X-3D preset for these in search of out extra expansive, spatial audio. For those who’d moderately curate your individual sound, it can save you a number of customized EQ calibrations and use a five-band equalizer to get your most popular tuning.
As well as, you may customise the lights on the Stormbox Blast 2 and arrange three customized seems. You may modify which lights illuminate – together with the facet lights, gentle bars or center gentle, which colours seem, brightness and whether or not they’ll flash to the rhythm of bass, treble or bass and treble. Alternatively, you may flip them off altogether should you’re hoping to save lots of battery or need a extra low-key listening sesh.
Talking of battery, you get loads right here. You may anticipate as a lot as 30 hours of playtime should you hear at 50% quantity with XBass and lights switched off. That will probably be greater than sufficient to maintain the occasion operating into the early hours. As well as, this speaker can operate as an influence financial institution because of a USB-A output port. There’s a USB-C port for charging too, however it’ll take 12 hours to get to 100% utilizing this, as an alternative of the far superior 5 hours required when AC charging.
All of that is good and properly, however there’s an elephant within the room right here. Sure, that’s proper, the Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 can double up as a karaoke machine. You may join two microphones up with the 6.35mm wired ports, or simply go wi-fi should you actually wish to showcase. You may modify quantity and add reverb with built-in controls too. It’s value noting, nevertheless, that there have been no microphones to be discovered within the field right here – you’ll have to buy them your self, individually.
There’s much more on supply with the Stormbox Blast 2 – an AUX port for wired listening, good and up-to-date Bluetooth 5.4 connectivity and voice immediate choices. Actually, there’s not a lot I can criticize right here. Tribit has once more opted to exclude voice assistant compatibility with this mannequin, which might be a nice-to-have function at least. And possibly I’d favor the USB out port to be upgraded to USB-C for speedier exterior charging. However in any other case I used to be delighted with what the Stormbox Blast 2 needed to supply. No moaning session required.
Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 evaluation: sound high quality
- Booming bass output
- Decently clear mids and managed highs
- Not fairly distortion-free at excessive volumes
As quickly as I turned this big of a speaker on, there was one factor that struck me instantaneously: gigantic bass, which hit with ground-shaking affect. Now, partially, that’s as a result of the XBass function – for enhanced low-end output – was on by default. I opted to modify this off to begin with, nevertheless, so I might get a barely extra balanced sound out of the Stormbox Blast 2. And certain sufficient, I saved this speaker within the XBass Off EQ preset for almost all of testing, because it supplied an enormous serving to of bass with out overshadowing different sonic components.
I began my testing by listening to Diamonds On the Soles of Her Footwear by Paul Simon and the bass thump was extraordinarily rhythmic and deep. Nevertheless, vocals have been nonetheless properly outlined within the combine and the looping guitar riff operating all through had a satisfying diploma of subtlety. Equally, when tuning into Disco Ulysses by Vulfpeck, I discovered the decay of snare hits to be agile and the tone of the uneven electrical guitar to be correct at mid-volumes. The commanding, groovy bassline was deliciously deep and high-pitched piano trills have been separated properly, making for a surprisingly nuanced, cohesive and straight up gratifying hear.
Regardless of providing strong all-round audio, it truly is about bass with this speaker. I might make out each deep, darkish be aware in The Boys Are Again In City by Yung Gravy – one thing that plenty of cheaper rivals gained’t be capable of accomplish. And with XBass on, the imposing increase of the monitor’s sub-bass was mesmerizing – nonetheless, I’d suggest utilizing this function sparingly because it’s very bass dominant.
Extra typically, you’ll wrestle to discover a similarly-sized competitor that may outdo the Stormbox Blast 2 within the bass division, however I attempted placing it side-by-side with the Earfun UBoom X for comparability. I sifted by way of a ton of Home tracks, similar to Relentless by Grant Nelson, however the UBoom X was no match for the Stormbox Blast 2, which had extra managed, deep low-end output, in addition to higher general steadiness. Particularly, percussion and intermittent vocals have been barely muffled with the UBoom X, with its domineering bass taking the entire limelight, whereas the Stormbox Blast 2 supplied more proficient separation, regardless of sustaining well-needed emphasis on the low-end.
You gained’t expertise excellent audio output with the Tribit Stormbox Blast 2, nevertheless. At excessive volumes, readability can take a slight dip. As an example, I listened to I Need You by Moloko – which had intoxicatingly deep bass and breathy vocals when listening at low-medium volumes, however once I cranked issues all the best way as much as 90-100%, the soundstage obtained just a little bit bloated, with sounds within the mid-range and low-end getting barely muddied. I didn’t expertise tinny or abrasive audio, nevertheless, to not point out the truth that this speaker will get extraordinarily loud, which means you’ll hardly ever hear with quantity turned up this excessive.
Given its not-so-budget worth, some may additionally hope to search out ‘hi-res’ audio codec right here, similar to LDAC for Android customers. Nevertheless, there’s no such factor obtainable with the Stormbox Blast 2, which solely helps SBC – not even AAC. Don’t let that put you off, although, as loads of finances audio tech consists of fancy codecs, however with little to indicate when it comes to high quality.
This Bluetooth speaker combines an 80W subwoofer with twin 45W mid-range drivers and 15W tweeters. Meaning you’ll be capable of get a most energy output of 200W right here, that’s should you’re utilizing it whereas linked to an influence supply – in any other case you’ll get 180W. Both manner – it will get loud, actually loud. A lot so, that you simply nearly definitely gained’t have to double up for added quantity – although pairing to a second mannequin is useful for these in search of out stereo sound.
Finally, that is supposed to be a celebration speaker and it serves that goal extremely properly. You get ground-shaking, but well-regimented bass and sufficient loudness to ship your neighbors right into a frenzy. And though you gained’t get essentially the most detailed hear on the earth, particularly at prime volumes, that’s a fairly small sacrifice to make for the increase that can bless your eardrums.
- Sound high quality rating: 4.5/5
Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 evaluation: design
- Nonetheless chunky, however extra curved this time round
- Lights look classier too
- IP67 rated
Once we reviewed the unique Tribit Stormbox Blast, design seemed to be its Achilles heel. Why? Nicely, our reviewer wasn’t a enormous fan of the in-your-face LED lights or chunky construct – honest sufficient. So, does the Stormbox Blast 2 make up for such shortcomings? Nicely, form of.
The LED lights haven’t disappeared, however I’d argue that they give the impression of being a bit classier this time round. The facet bars go for a smoother look, moderately than LED strips harking back to well being bars. And customarily, the lights illuminate this speaker’s drivers properly whereas syncing as much as audio output, making for a extra immersive, thrilling listening expertise. For those who nonetheless aren’t an enormous fan, you may flip them off and save your self some battery life – win-win, proper?
So far as construct goes, that is nonetheless a really hefty and, admittedly, pretty plasticky speaker. It’s not obtained essentially the most attractive seems to its black casing and has a decently chunky deal with as soon as extra, maybe to be anticipated given its weight. Nevertheless, this time round, you’re getting a smoother design general. The speaker has a extra curved look, making it far sleeker than its predecessor. The bass radiators nonetheless don’t go loopy, in contrast to these on the JBL Xtreme 4 as an illustration, however they do rumble when issues get bassy.
So, you do get an improve within the seems division, however you additionally get a extremely sensible product. The Stormbox Blast 2 is a step-up on its IPX7 predecessor – this one’s IP67-rated, which means it now has a excessive dustproof ranking and may compete with among the best waterproof speakers. That makes it an ideal candidate for beach-side listening, as an illustration, whereas its waterproofing additionally means it may well face up to being submerged beneath a meter of water for as much as half-hour – fairly cool, proper?
And to prime all of it off, the Stormbox Blast 2 has some nifty controls and ports built-in. There are buttons for adjusting energy/quantity, pairing with one other speaker and toggling XBass/Lights on and off. Behind a rubber panel, you may entry the charging and microphone ports, in addition to karaoke controls. This speaker actually does have all of it.
Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 evaluation: worth
- Extra of a mid-range price ticket
- Considerably extra dear than the unique Stormbox Blast
- However for the audio high quality and options on supply, it’s nonetheless value it
I’ll get to the purpose, you could find loads of rival audio system for significantly lower than the Tribit Stormbox Blast 2. That is no finances possibility, carrying an inventory worth of $299.99 / £257 (about AU$490). There are a ton of huge choices obtainable for round $100 / £100, such because the aforementioned Earfun UBoom X and Anker Soundcore Growth 2.
However will they provide as a lot high quality and flexibility because the Stormbox Blast 2? No, not for my part. There’s the plain – this speaker can double up as a karaoke machine if you wish to belt out a few of your favourite tunes. However there’s additionally the truth that this mannequin delivers extra regimented, highly effective bass, cleaner all-round audio and a rock-solid construct.
These elements make it value the additional money for my part and should you can catch it for nearer to $200 / £200 in a sale, you’re getting glorious worth for probably the greatest occasion audio system round. It’s value noting, nevertheless, that its glorious predecessor may be discovered for round $150 / £150 – that’s an unbelievable deal properly value contemplating should you’re not all-in on karaoke and don’t want fairly as a lot energy output.
Ought to I purchase the Tribit Stormbox Blast 2?
| Attributes | Notes | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Options | Wonderful battery life, good EQ choices, karaoke mode, USB-A exterior charging. | 4.5/5 |
| Sound high quality | Gigantic bass, spectacular quantity, largely clear all-round audio. | 4.5/5 |
| Design | Nonetheless hefty and just a little chunky, however curvier and IP67 rated. | 4/5 |
| Worth | Not the most affordable possibility, however you get superior audio in opposition to finances rivals. | 4/5 |
Purchase it if…
Do not buy it if…
Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 evaluation: additionally contemplate
| Row 0 – Cell 0 | Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 | Earfun UBoom X | Bose SoundLink Max |
| Value | $299.99 / £257 (about AU$490) | $189.99 / £189.99 (round AU$280) | $399 / £399 / AU$599 |
| Weight | 19.2lbs / 8.7kg | 9.2lbs / 4.2kg | 4.7lbs / 2.1kg |
| Dimensions | 18.8 x 10.2 x 7.6 inches / 477.5 x 259.1 x 193mm | 15.7 x 5.9 x 8.5 inches / 400 x 150 x 217mm | 4.7 x 10.4 x 4.1 inches / 120 x 265 x 105mm |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.4, AUX, mic ports | Bluetooth 5.3, AUX | Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Battery life | 30 hours | 30 hours | 20 hours |
| Speaker drivers | 2x 45W mid-range drivers; 2x 15W tweeters | 2x 4-inch (102mm) woofers, 2x 0.79-inch (20mm) tweeters | 2 x 89mm transducers, 1 x 23mm transducer, 2 x 104x79mm ‘racetrack’ passive radiators |
| Waterproofing | IP67 | IP67 | IP67 |
Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 evaluation: how I examined
- Examined for one week
- Primarily utilized in our music testing area at Future Labs
- Predominantly examined utilizing Tidal
I listened to the Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 for hours on finish in our music testing area at Future Labs. Throughout my time with the speaker, I performed a ton of tunes from my very own music library in addition to tracks from the TechRadar testing playlist, which I take advantage of to evaluate efficiency throughout a wide range of genres. When listening to music, I linked to the Stormbox Blast 2 with the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE and primarily performed songs through Tidal.
As well as, I listened to a podcast on Spotify and watched video content material on YouTube with a view to choose vocal readability throughout totally different platforms. When applicable, I used the Earfun UBoom X to check audio high quality, design components and usefulness.
- First reviewed: January 2025
- Learn extra about how we test