Verdict
An first-class , versatile outdoor verbaliser that institute improvements in battery life , sound calibre and lineament . The StormBox Micro 2 offers excellent value for its price and should be on the shopping tilt for anyone who partakes in adventurous outdoor activities .
Pros
Cons
Key Features
Introduction
The originalStormBox Microspeaker was one of our pet below £ 50 , with its clean-cut effectual quality , versatile design and solid spec gaining our seal of approval of approval .
And now , Tribit is back with a sequel that boast betterment in every area : battery life , sound timbre and features , the StormBox Micro 2 looks to pull up even more value from its thickset form and low-priced price .
The motion to ask is whether Tribit has win , and the contiguous answer is yes . This loudspeaker system is even more impressive than the original .
Design
In term of flavor , the StormBox Micro 2 is more or less the same as the original , with just a few pinch and civilization of the original recipe . It ’s sports an selfsame shape , and its fabric covert – that ’s both water- and dustproof with a IP67 rating – is identical to its sib , too , with a flexible tear - resistant shoulder strap bolted to its belly . This shoulder strap allows the Micro 2 to be impound to the handlebars of a bicycle , curtail to your trouser or a backpack , append versatility in the way it can transport and used .
It ’s property are marginally self-aggrandizing to the first - gen poser , with the increased depth make it a iota tall . It ’s still pocket-sized enough to fit into a jacket or trouser sac , though , as long as the latter is n’t a slim - fit figure . The feet it stands on have been modified , presumably to prop up up the Micro 2 to allow more gentle wind to run beneath the unit of measurement and for audio to escape .
Further pinch come by agency of the playback and volume controls , which now sport a grey finish to contrast from the smutty material for skillful visibleness ( like theStormBox Pro ) . The contribute profoundness to the unit also concede more space to the front - facing area , pass water it easier to view the current battery life levels . On the right - hand side is the USB - C port that can now behave as a power bank building to charge another machine such as a headphone or tab .
The speaker come in black , but on the website there is a blue version that does n’t appear available to buy ( yet ) . The changes Tribit has made to the speaker are smart , a refinement rather than a re - do , adding cracking functionality to the speaker ’s versatility .
Features
Bluetooth connectivity has been boost to the latest version in 5.3 , extending the range of the verbaliser to a claim 120 ft over the original ’s 100 foot .
Playing music from the speaker in my garden and walking away to the other conclusion , the connection did n’t perceptively pearl or stutter until I was far away from the unit – even then , it was small-scale . I ’d say you’re able to be surefooted to stray far from this talker without the joining breaking up . The StormBox Micro 2 can also relate to two equipment simultaneously .
Battery life has been extend to what Tribit say is up to 12 hours . To put that in to context , that ’s a yoke of hr less than the Wonderboom 3 but two hours more than theSonos Roam .
No coupling is hold with the original StormBox Micro , but it can be paired with another Micro 2 for stereo performance – I was n’t supplied with another utterer to test out this feature , however . Like the original , both loudspeaker system have to be in Party mode before stereo can be activate .
The StormBox Micro 2 can be used as a speaker for phone call , with utilisation of the multi - function button to accept and resist shout , as well as pause call or switch between them . Brand new for the StormBox Micro 2 is app financial support , delivering microcode update , EQ configurations ( Music , Customised , Audiobook ) and playback functionality . The Audiobook EQ is the one you use for podcasts since it focuses on vocals , but in my experience , I found that even with podcasts this mode decoct scope detail , so does n’t sound as clear as the Music EQ .
Sound Quality
Tribit ’s XBass is back to render more powerful low - frequency support , but it is n’t only bass that ’s improved – almost every look of the StormBox Micro 2 ’s audio is better than the master copy .
It can go louder than the original thanks to a boost to 10W of power over its predecessor ’s 9W. The presentation fathom bigger , is projected further away from the speaker ’s eubstance with a wider soundstage , more noticeable pellucidity , and more hearable greater detail registered in tracks compared to the pilot .
The only area where youmightargue it is n’t as big an climb is with vocals . However , the older model set up an emphasis on vocals to the detriment of particular ; the sequel finds a much better proportion .
A listen to Tinie Tempah ’s just Unstoppable and I can pick out the support singer more understandably than the original thanks to the adult soundstage and improved retrieval of item . With Disturbed ’s Down with the Sickness , the Micro 2 can go louder but does n’t succumb to optical aberration , hold detail in the track ’s more vigorous moments . In summation , the extra wattage afforded to the verbaliser allows it to get more energy . It ’s a more exciting and active performing artist .
A shambling on the Spotify playlist brings up Omarion ’s Ice Box . Switching between the two model of speaker , while the original is perfectly o.k. , the StormBox Micro 2 is less mirky with the mode it presents detail , depth and clarity ; it ready the presentment of the older model sound lean and less define .
With Manu Katché ’s Keep on Trippin ’ , the StormBox Micro 2 lift itself further above its predecessor by feeding the track more clearness to aid define instruments with more sharpness and detail . The top ending of the frequency range is clearer , brighter and more expressive , all of which aid for a more realistic execution .
The Fireflies ’ I Ca n’t Get Enough ( effort . Alexandra Prince ) strikes a far more even tonic Libra the Scales throughout the frequency range ; bass part is more rounded and wide-cut in its description . The basso performance wo n’t trouble fully grown , more expensive talker , for sure – but it adds more colour to proceedings . Overall , it ’s a corking operation from the Tribit and a nice melioration over the original speaker .
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Should you buy it?
Like the original , the StormBox Micro 2 presents great value with even full sound quality , battery and useful features . It ’s knockout to see how Tribit can meliorate further .
The flavour of the Tribit is deliberately smooth and nondescript and miss the play of a JBL and Ultimate Ear . If that ’s what you ’re after , then perhaps count elsewhere .
Final Thoughts
The StormBox Micro 2 ticktock all the boxwood in term of what a subsequence should be , express over all the positives of the original while offering enhancements in other arena for even better time value than before . The app is light on features , but the EQ options offer the ability to set the phone as you like . The sound is better in all aspects : bass , detail , ability and clarity – the StormBox Micro 2 is a step up .
The design is as various as before , make this a top choice for outdoor use , peculiarly if you ’re someone concerned in more adventuresome outdoor activity . The Tribit StormBox Micro 2 is a top - timber speaker unit , and one of the best around the £ 50 / $ 50 cost percentage point .
Trusted Score
How we test
We test every wireless speaker we review exhaustively over an extended period of time of clock time . We practice industry received tests to compare feature in good order . We ’ll always tell you what we find . We never , ever , live with money to review a merchandise .
Find out more about how we test in ourethics policy .
FAQs
The StormBox Micro 2 only supports stereoscopic photograph pairing with another Micro 2 speaker .
Full Specs
