Tribit has just released the new Stormbox Blast 2, the successor to what is widely considered Reddit’s most popular Bluetooth speaker. The appeal of the Stormbox lies primarily in its high-quality sound and affordable price, with the Stormbox Blast retailing for just $199 and occasionally going on sale for under $150. In contrast, the Stormbox Blast 2 is significantly more expensive with a retail price of $299. So what’s changed? Is it worth the additional $100 price tag? Let’s take a look.
Key Takeaways:
- An increase in size facilitates the addition of a powerful subwoofer for deeper bass.
- Massive increase in power, now producing up to 200W.
- Now with dual microphone inputs for the karaoke lover.
- Added dust protection.
- Supports the latest in Bluetooth technology.
Side By Side Specifications
Stormbox Blast | Stormbox Blast 2 | |
Power: | 80W/90W | 180W/200W |
Waterproofing: | IPX7 | IP67 |
Bluetooth: | 5.3 | 5.4 |
Battery Life: | Up to 30 Hours | Up to 30 Hours |
Drivers: | 2 Tweeters, 2 Midrange | 2 Tweeters, 2 Midrange, 1 Subwoofer |
Weight: | 15.9 x 6.41 x 8.89" | 18.74 x 7.6 x 10.2" |
What’s Changed Compared To The Original Stormbox Blast?
With the first Stormbox Blast being released in July 2022, it still has many features of modern releases. It supports Bluetooth 5.3 and was one of the first speakers to do so, as well as having IPX7 water resistance and outstanding battery life. So what could Tribit possibly change to make it better?
Well, it seems like they’re going all out with its successor. There are power changes, Bluetooth, waterproofing, and more. This update stands in stark contrast to the disappointing next-generation releases from Ultimate Ears we saw several months ago.
Here’s what you need to know about the Tribit Stormbox Blast 2.
The Stormbox Blast 2 Doubles The Power
The original Stormbox has an output of 80 watts (90 watts when plugged in) and comfortably fills a small to medium-sized room with sound. This has been more than doubled with the new version and the Stormbox Blast 2 produces up to 180W of output when using the battery and 200W when plugged in.
This is a substantial increase in power, and is likely to translate to a lot more volume!
A Dedicated Subwoofer Adds Deep, Powerful Bass
Another significant, and perhaps the most exciting addition to the new model is its new subwoofer. The midrange drivers have moved away from the center and more toward the edges of the speaker, which makes room for an 80W subwoofer in the center of the speaker.
This new addition means the Stormbox Blast 2 can reach deeper levels of bass than its predecessor. Not glancing over the fact that the subwoofer itself has as much power as the previous Stormbox.
Considering some users were unhappy about the Stormbox Blasts’s recent firmware update, claiming it reduced bass. This is a big step up for the speaker and will appeal to lots of bass heads who prefer that party-style sound.
Now Featuring Dust-Resistance For Better Outdoor Protection
Updates have been to the weather protection, retaining its IPX7 waterproofing but adding dust resistance. This makes it safer to use outdoors, particularly at the beach where sand could enter into the speaker. The Stormbox Blast 2’s IP67 rating means it’s up there with the most thorough weather-resistant models available.
The Latest In Bluetooth Technology
In a somewhat poetic manner, Tribit continues its trend of adopting the latest in Bluetooth technology to further refine how the Stormbox Blast 2 connects with not just phones, but also with other speakers.
It supports Bluetooth 5.4, the latest release, which is only found on a few popular speakers at this point.
The upgrade will improve security, latency, and power consumption. It also has the potential to support new Bluetooth codecs – but we’ll need to wait and see which are supported.
Bluetooth 5.4 also tends to produce better multispeaker connections, meaning TWS pairing may see improvements over the old version.
New 6.25mm Microphone Input Turns The Stormbox Blast Into A Karaoke Speaker
The entire connection panel has changed, now featuring dual 6.25mm microphone inputs and microphone adjustment dials so you can tweak the way the mics sound. This is a significant upgrade for the speaker and one that increases the way you can use it. Group up with friends for karaoke nights or hand it to your kids for them and their friends to enjoy during the next slumber party.
Outstanding Battery Life With The Opportunity For Improvements
Although the advertised playtime on the Stormbox Blast 2 is the same as its predecessor, there is the potential for some improvements here. The Stormbox Blast excels at producing long-lasting batteries at moderate volume levels, but when the volume is pushed high the battery can struggle to keep up.
It’s possible that with the new Bluetooth 5.4 support, this new model may be able to retain more playtime at high volume.
On Paper, The Stormbox Blast 2 Should Be a Much Better Sounding Speaker
The original speaker is by no means bad-sounding. It exhibits a slightly bass-heavy sound but maintains clear mids that allow vocals to sound crisp, even with the enhanced lows. One area where the speaker could improve is in its soundstage, with only a moderate spread of sound.
This is where I believe the Stormbox Blast 2 will come out ahead. Since the midrange drivers are now positioned toward the ends, we should get a slightly better soundstage with more separation between different frequencies. This will be enhanced by the separate subwoofer, meaning the midrange woofers can focus on producing mids and leave the bass up to the sub.
The Future Looks Bright For Tribit
Given some disappointing speaker releases this year, the Stormbox Blast 2 has us excited. It’s rare to see such a big leap in power, and the addition of the dedicated subwoofer will no doubt have Tribit fans reaching for their wallets.
Overall, it’s a significant upgrade and one that’s worth taking note of. We’ll follow this up at a later date once we’ve managed to get our hands on the speaker, but if you’re looking for a new Bluetooth speaker with a lot of power in a portable form – this may be what you’re after.
- Best value Bluetooth boom box party speaker – CNET
