This $80 portable speaker delivers great sound for every style of music

Key points of ZDNET

• The Tribit StormBox Flow currently available on Amazon for $79.99.
• This Bluetooth speaker can fill a room with great sound, syncing with a second StormBox Flow and lasting you until the last people leave.
• The custom EQ is limited to five bands, but it’s useful enough for adjusting frequency levels.

I have tried and owned many Bluetooth speaker over the years, it’s hard to remember which are my favorites. However, the measure of a good speaker for me begins and ends with the sound. And I’ve heard some pretty good Bluetooth speakers over the years. I wouldn’t label any of them as audiophile, but that’s not what Bluetooth speakers are for.

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These devices will make it possible to enjoy music, podcasts, or anything else you need to listen to on the go with ease and at a level that one person or even a small group can appreciate. I’ve used the Bluetooth speaker for yard work, teaching, and in situations where I’m not near the turntable and earphone won’t cut it.

So when Tribit contacted me to check it out StormBox Stream, I am happy to accommodate. When I received the device, I thought it looked cute but figured it wouldn’t be able to make the sounds I liked. To some extent, I was right. The StormBox Flow has too much midrange for my taste. But at $79 on Amazon, you can’t expect premium sound to pour out of such a small device. In fact, for its price, this is a great little speaker.

View at Amazon

After giving the StormBox Flow multiple chances to impress me, I have a different opinion. Although the sound is not rich, spatial and smooth, it can fill a room or a yard. And thanks to the Tribit app, you can customize the sound with a 5-band EQ (though a 10-band equalizer would be much better).

specifications

• 30 hour battery life (reduced to 24 with Xbass enabled)
• 62mm driver
• 3 different EQ settings (standard, audiobook, and extended bass) can be customized via the Tribit app
• Sync with a second Stormbox Flow for “group mode”
• Bluetooth 5.3 with 100ft range
• USB type C charging
• IP67 waterproof rating
• Adjustable lanyard
• Weight – 1.47 lbs
• Dimensions – 8.77 x 4.52 x 2.32 inches
• Input voltage – 3.7 Volt
• Maximum output power of the speaker – 25 Watts
• Charging time – 4 hours for a full charge

My experience

I include the Tribit StormBox Flow in my regular playlist, and here are my comments on each song:

• Similar children by Rush – It’s hard to get rid of the midrange feel, but the bass still keeps up with the owner (Geddy Lee) without becoming mushy.
• And the sheep’s dream by Kate Bush – How can you not love this song? It feels alive and present from start to finish.
• Adagio for strings by Samuel Barber – This heartbreaking classic sounded a bit mixed on the StormBox Flow, but the sound was acceptable once I adjusted the EQ. This is my all-time favorite piece of classical music so I can be a bit judgmental.
• Halcyon and on by Orbital – One of my top five favorite songs of all time (thanks movie hacker for introducing me to it) sounds lively and interesting in just the right amount.
• Kingdom by Devin Townsend – This song is difficult to pronounce on speakers, and I’ve heard very few that can keep up with the blaring bass drum. Overall, the StormBox Flow performed okay but struggled with too much bass. However, the speaker handled Townsend’s voice quite well.

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For a speaker priced under $80, the StormBox Flow is superior in terms of sound. What I appreciate about this speaker is the control. From the speaker, you can pause, skip, and return to a song. You can even hold down the interaction button (light circle, see image below) for two seconds and then use voice commands.

I had trouble trying to tell the speaker to play a specific song via voice command. I enabled voice commands and instructed the StormBox to play Kashmir by Led Zeppelin. Instead of playing words SpotifyGoogle Assistant (also known as Gemini) search for a song and StormBox reads the results. However, that erroneous result was on Google and Android, not Tribit.

ZDNET Buying Tips

There are many Bluetooth speakers on the market, and each device offers different features and sounds. About where Tribit StormBox Flow Fittingly, this is a welcome midrange offering, with plenty of sounds, customizable (but limited) EQ, easy-to-reach controls, and impressive battery life.

If you’re looking for an inexpensive Bluetooth speaker that can play your tunes longer than your phone’s battery life, the StormBox Flow is a great choice. Don’t expect audiophile sound and you won’t be disappointed.