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Tribit isn’t a household name like Beats, JBL or Sony. However, the bargain audio brand has grown in popularity in the past two years with its collection of inexpensive portable speakers and true wireless earbuds. Reception has ranged from acceptable to surprisingly great, and the accolades continue to grow with every new release.
Case in point: the all-new StormBox Lava. While the latest entry in Tribit’s speaker lineup is geared toward outdoor enthusiasts (e.g., backyard owners, campers, poolgoers) with an affinity for bass, it has the sonic prowess to satisfy big indoor crowds as well. It’s a mid-range option that serves up strong audio output and serviceable features in a robust, waterproof package. Battery life is also up there with some of the category’s top entries.
Not everything runs smoothly, but for the price, the StormBox Lava offers enough performance to warrant the purchase, depending on your lifestyle.
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Tribit StormBox Lava portable speaker setup and specs
Setting up the StormBox Lava is very simple. Press the power button, then the Bluetooth button, and select the speaker from the Available Devices list in the Bluetooth settings on your media device. That’s it. This speaker does support multipoint technology (more on that later).
This mid-range speaker houses some impressive features.
Credit: Alex Bracetti / Mashable
All controls are placed on the top and produce solid tactile feedback when pressed. The rear houses three inputs: AUX, USB-A, and USB-C. Only the latter works to recharge the speaker.
Noteworthy specs include:
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Woofer Unit: 30 watts
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Tweeter Units: 10 watts
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Frequency Response: 43Hz to 20KHz
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Output power: 80 watts
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Customizable EQ with 10 frequency bands
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Party Mode pairing (up to 160 speakers)
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IP67 dustproof and waterproof
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Up to 24 hours
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Speaker dimensions: 12.2 x 5.78 x 5.98 inches
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Speaker weight: 6.13 pounds
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Detachable strap
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Color: Black
The Tribit app is available for download in the Apple App Store or Google Play for free. It’s basic in both look and functionality. You gain access to some features, which I’ll break down further in the review.
Rocking sound that you can tweak on the fly
Tribit equipped the StormBox Lava with two 30-watt woofers and two 10-watt tweeters. These components create loud, emphatic sound with booming bass that will satisfy the most hardcore headbanger.
The adrenaline-inducing bass levels on Kaytranada’s “Drip Sweat” were sonorous and didn’t veil production elements like the jingling tambourines and muttered vocals. It was a well-balanced mix of lows, mids, and highs. James Brown’s “The Boss” delivered the thump I desired from the funky mellow classic. The thick double-bass guitar was accentuated and demonstrated superb reverberation that merged and decayed smoothly with every strum.
Layered synth basslines like the one on Snow Wife’s “Wet Dream” sounded decent and had a nice bop to it. Playing the track at high volume created some distortion, but it wasn’t a bloated mess that ruined the soundstage.
The 1975’s “This Must Be My Dream” performed similarly, which made me question the speaker’s ability to handle bottom-heavy lows. Then I turned on the XBass feature and noticed a huge change. Tribit’s proprietary EQ eliminated the unwanted bloat and refined the midrange.
The XBass feature makes bass-heavy tracks sounds better.
Credit: Alex Bracetti / Mashable
Four other EQs are available in the Tribit app: Audiobook, Classical, Rock, and Jazz. Rock is the only one worth checking out. It gives alternative rock and EDM tracks a little more oomph. The app comes with a customizable 10-band EQ to personalize sound, though the learning curve can be difficult for those unfamiliar with frequencies and unit measurements. Save yourself the headache and stick with either the standard or XBass EQ.
Other media formats sounded pleasant. Movies and sports clips on YouTube were engaging. I was also taken aback by the vocal clarity on podcasts. Spoiler alert: It was on point.
When compared to other in-class rivals like the Beats Pill (2024) and JBL Charge 5, this speaker doesn’t match their dynamic frequency range or streaming quality. Those models offer lossless audio.
In addition, the StormBox Lava fails as a professional speakerphone. Feedback from callers was disappointing due to the microphone’s weak vocal capture. My wife noticed an echo effect on my end as well.
Tribit rates battery life at 24 hours. Take features and high volume into account, and playtimes fall between 18 to 20 hours, which is still more than sufficient for a weekend of entertainment. You can even play music when the speaker is recharging. I was left with 20 percent battery after using the speaker three hours daily for an entire week.
Feel free to leave your Anker power bank at home because the StormBox Lava also doubles as a portable charger. Oddly, only the USB-C port works for recharging the speaker, but the USB-A port can be used to fully charge other portable devices.
Portable and party-ready
The StormBox Lava is nowhere near as attractive as the Beats Pill, but it makes up for the lack of style with a practical design that blends size, weight, and protection very well. It is lighter and smaller than other mid-range cylindrical-shaped speakers. You won’t strain a muscle lugging it to the pool area. The bundled detachable handle is reliable for carrying in-hand, though the shoulder strap is stronger and keeps your mind at ease over accidental drops.
The Tribit StormBox Lava has two carrying options: a handle or a shoulder strap.
Credit: Alex Bracetti / Mashable
Tribit used sturdy plastic and a thick woven material to build the speaker. The rear has a rubberized cover that hides and protects all three inputs. And IP67 certification means the StormBox Lava can stave off dust and survive one-meter submersion for up to 30 minutes.
Seamless wireless performance is to be expected. Bluetooth 5.4 remains stable within a 40-foot range of your connected device. Tribit threw in multipoint technology for good measure, letting you pair the speaker to two media devices simultaneously. I would play Spotify on my iPhone and switch to YouTube on my MacBook Pro with ease. No lag or stutter.
Then we have the speaker’s flagship feature: Party Mode. Enabling it allows you to pair the unit with up to 160 speakers at the same time. This is perfect for brand loyalists who want to adorn each room in their home with a StormBox Lava for immersive stereo sound. I can’t speak on its performance since I was only sent one speaker, though the reviews from other audio critics have been positive.
Is the Tribit StormBox Lava portable speaker worth it?
For $129 (and often on sale for $109 on Amazon), the Tribit StormBox Lava is worth the consideration if you value aesthetics, bass performance, and playtimes. The near-impenetrable exterior will survive extreme conditions. Music is given a vibrant boost that’s enjoyable in all settings, living room or mountain top. And you won’t have to worry about the speaker dying because there’s enough power to last a full day.
If none of this entices you, seek out other mid-range competitors with more features and refined sound. Take a look at our rankings of the best Bluetooth speakers for suggestions.
