Tribit Stormbox Micro 3 Review

Design

• Boost to IP rating
• Magnetic mount

Sometimes it’s best not to mess with a design when it works so well, so the changes made to the Stormbox Micro 3 are small but useful all the same.

First off, the IP rating has received a boost from IP67 to IP68 with the USB-C port covered up. That level of rating offers better protection against dust and, in the scenario that the speaker gets dunked into a body of water, it can survive up to 30 minutes at a depth of 1.5m (IP67 is only 1 metre). Tribit also claims the speaker is SGS-certified to be waterproof, dustproof and survive a drop from a height of 1.22m.

The logo and volume are bolder and clearer, contrasting better with the fabric cover of the speaker (there’s also white and blue versions). The fabric itself feels slightly different; the Stormbox Micro 2 feels smoother, while this new version feels a little grippier.

It’s the same type of silicone strap underneath the speaker that you can hook to your bag or bike when adventuring. A magnetic mount has been added to connect the speaker to surfaces too.

Otherwise the speaker feels similar in appearance and size. The only other change of note is the array of controls on the front surface – bigger and more obvious with the Xbass button front and centre to boost bass, and next to it is a link button for creating a stereo pair. All the changes made have a positive effect. It’s virtually the same as before but more practical in use.

Battery Life

• Reported 24-hour battery
• Powerbank support

Tribit claims a 24-hour battery at 50% volume, so as usual, I put those claims to the test.

A battery drain for five hours at about 50% volume saw the Tribit fall to 80%, which works out to be about 25 hours if it drains at that pace. The Tribit is on the mark when it comes to battery life.

Tribit mentions fast-charging but it appears to be just full-charging, taking two hours to restore the battery back to full. The Stormbox Micro 3 can also act as a powerbank to charge your mobile device.

Sound Quality

• Clearer than older model
• Xbass mode to boost low frequencies

The first port of call with a sequel is always to see how it fares against the previous model. If you’re looking to upgrade from the Stormbox Micro 2, you can be confident of getting a better sound from the Stormbox Micro 3.

The new speaker is clearer with vocals and treble, offers a better sense of detail and brings a more rounded bass performance too. It, surprisingly, doesn’t sound as loud as the older speaker, but it strikes a more natural-sounding tone. I can hear the older speaker struggling to keep up in terms of detail and the definition of voices and instruments.

With Lilly Allen’s Smile, the Tribit brings clarity to the track but does sound a little thin at times. Vocals are well done, the speaker offers a good feel for detail, and there’s decent weight to the bassline in the track and turning on Xbass adds more weight and depth. For me, the Tribit offers a good balance: it sounds spacious and clear, and the highs sound detailed. It’s a big improvement over what came before.

But there’s also competition from the JBL Go 5 at this price, and comparing the two, the performance is close. The JBL sounds bigger and more open than the Tribit, but I’d also say it sounds a little thinner. The bass of both speakers is similar, but with Xbass, the Tribit can offer a bigger performance and a warmer sound. I prefer to leave Xbass on – the speaker sounds better with it than without.

Where the JBL may just edge matters is that it sounds the more musical of the two, offering a greater focus on vocals, but that’s not to say the Tribit is left trailing behind. The JBL is perhaps the more fun of the two speakers, with its musicality and richness in contrast to the clarity and bass performance of the Tribit. Neither one matches the energy and liveliness of the Bose SoundLink Micro, but that’s nearly twice the price.

Features

• Bluetooth 6
• Stereo pairing
• Tribit app

The wireless connection is the Bluetooth 6 standard, and walking from one end of my garden to the other, the connection held up with no break-up of the signal. SBC and AAC streaming are supported, an improvement over the Micro 2’s SBC. Bluetooth multipoint is supported as well.

Stereo pairing is supported with two Stormbox Micro 3 speakers, and beyond that there’s the Tribit app where you can monitor battery life, adjust volume and control playback.

You’ve also got preset EQs to play with, a list that includes Tribit’s Signature mode, Xbass, Outdoor, Rock, Audiobook, Rap and Popular. There are differences between them: Outdoor is brighter with the highs and midrange, Popular is smoother, while Signature is a flat delivery. If none fit the bill, then you can create your own with a 10-bit custom EQ.

Otherwise, the only other feature of note is being able to assign the Xbass to an EQ of your own choice.

Should you buy it?