Short answer: the Tribit Stormbox Pro. It ranks #40 of 136 medium speakers by sound quality at $90; the JBL Charge 4 ranks #50 and costs $119.95, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The case for the JBL Charge 4: Doubles as a power bank for charging phones/tablets. The catch: Not stereo. 1 Oval driver.
On the Tribit Stormbox Pro side: 24 hour battery life (60% volume, XBass off); doubles as a power bank. Watch for: Bottom woofer was fixed in a later firmware, upgrade for best sound.
One note: the JBL Charge 4 is discontinued, but it still ranks #50 of 136 medium speakers by sound quality, ahead of most of what is still sold new, so it is worth considering used.
Buy the Tribit Stormbox Pro. It ranks higher for sound quality than the JBL Charge 4 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Charge 4 | Tribit Stormbox Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $119.95 Discontinued | $90 |
| Ranked | #50 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #40 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 54Hz | 58Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Latency | 330ms | - |
| Max Volume | 99dB | 99dB |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) | - |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | Yes |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Weight | 2.1 lbs / 960 g | 2.2 lbs / 980 g |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 5.3 |
| Drivers | 1x 51x89mm fullrange | 76mm subwoofer, 2x 40mm full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| Dimensions | 8.7" x 3.7" x 3.7" (220 x 95 x 93 mm) | 3.8" x 3.8" x 7.1" (96 x 96 x 180 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | 30W RMS | 40W |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX7 |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Power Input | - | USB-C |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | aptX |
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The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Charge 4: $119.95 Discontinued Amazon
Pros: Doubles as a power bank for charging phones/tablets. IPX7 rated and floats. ~20 hour battery life; wirelessly links with 100+ JBL Connect+ speakers.
Cons: Not stereo. 1 Oval driver. Boosted bass, top a little rolled off, warm sound. Not as loud as a Charge 3. Discontinued.
Full JBL Charge 4 review and specifications →
| Aux Input | Yes |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 54Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Latency | 330ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.7" x 3.7" x 3.7" (220 x 95 x 93 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 1x 51x89mm fullrange |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 99dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 30W RMS |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 2.1 lbs / 960 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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Tribit Stormbox Pro: $90 Amazon
Pros: 24 hour battery life (60% volume, XBass off); doubles as a power bank. IP67 rated. Multi-point Bluetooth 5.3 pairing.
Cons: Bottom woofer was fixed in a later firmware, upgrade for best sound. Peaky mids, highs rolled off. Not technically a 360 speaker, only front and rear.
Full Tribit Stormbox Pro review and specifications →
| Aux Input | Yes |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 58Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | aptX |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 3.8" x 3.8" x 7.1" (96 x 96 x 180 mm) |
| Drivers | 76mm subwoofer, 2x 40mm full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 99dB |
| Omnidirectional | Yes |
| Output Power | 40W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 2.2 lbs / 980 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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