Short answer: the Sonos Roam 2 for better sound quality, the Tribit Xsound Surf for the lower price. The Sonos Roam 2 ranks #71 of 136 medium speakers at $177. The Tribit Xsound Surf ranks #79 at $26, $151 cheaper.
What the Sonos Roam 2 gets right: Very neutral. Additional button for pairing instead of being shared with power button. The tradeoff: Exact same sound quality as the original Roam.
What the Tribit Xsound Surf offers: Rugged rubberized frame with a metal grille. Set against that: Bass doesn’t go as deep as others, strange midrange peaks.
Buy the Sonos Roam 2 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Tribit Xsound Surf if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sonos Roam 2 | Tribit Xsound Surf | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $177.00 | $26 |
| Ranked | #71 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #79 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 63Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs / 429 g | 1 lbs / 440 g |
| Wifi | Yes | - |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 | 5.0 |
| Dimensions | 2.4" x 6.6" x 2.4" (62 x 168 x 60 mm) | 7" x 2.2" x 2.1" (178 x 57 x 54 mm) |
| App | Sonos S2 App | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC | aptX HD, aptX Lossless, LDAC, aptX Adaptive |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Likely Yes (based on Tribit pattern) |
| EQ | Yes (via app, limited in Bluetooth mode) | Yes |
| Drivers | 1x ~45mm racetrack mid-woofer + 1x tweeter + 2x passive radiators | 40W: 2x drivers with passive radiator |
| IP Rating | IPX5 | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 95dB | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | - | Yes |
| Frequency Response | - | 70Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | - | 12W RMS |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Sonos Roam vs Tribit Xsound Go
- JBL Flip Essential vs Tribit Stormbox 2
- Marshall Emberton III vs Tribit Stormbox 2
- Sonos Roam vs Tribit Xsound Surf
- Sonos Roam 2 vs Tribit Xsound Go
The Two Speakers In Full
Sonos Roam 2: $177.00 Amazon
Pros: Very neutral. Additional button for pairing instead of being shared with power button
Cons: Exact same sound quality as the original Roam. Bass extension isn’t very good. Not stereo. Gets distorted as you turn up the bass.
Full Sonos Roam 2 review and specifications →
| App | Sonos S2 App |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 63Hz |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 2.4" x 6.6" x 2.4" (62 x 168 x 60 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x ~45mm racetrack mid-woofer + 1x tweeter + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (via app, limited in Bluetooth mode) |
| IP Rating | IPX5 |
| Max Volume | 95dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Stereo | No |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs / 429 g |
| Wifi | Yes |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Tribit Xsound Surf: $26
Pros: Rugged rubberized frame with a metal grille. About 20% louder than the XSound Go at the same volume. IPX7 rated, USB-C charging, and pairs with a second Surf for stereo.
Cons: Bass doesn’t go as deep as others, strange midrange peaks
Full Tribit Xsound Surf review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | aptX HD, aptX Lossless, LDAC, aptX Adaptive |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built in Microphone | Likely Yes (based on Tribit pattern) |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7" x 2.2" x 2.1" (178 x 57 x 54 mm) |
| Drivers | 40W: 2x drivers with passive radiator |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 70Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 12W RMS |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Weight | 1 lbs / 440 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Tribit XSound Surf vs. XSound Go (Upgraded Model) Bluetooth Speaker Sound Comparison. More from JaysStraightUpReviews →
- Aphid Tech: Tribit XSound Surf vs Soundcore 2 - With Sound Comparison!
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Zealot S61 🦨 Bluetooth Speaker Review & Sound Comparison to Tribit XSound Surf. Another Zealot dud❓
- Reddit Search for Tribit Xsound Surf Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Tribit Xsound Surf vs Tribit Xsound Go
- Tribit Xsound Surf vs Tribit Stormbox 2
- Tribit Xsound Surf vs Soundcore 2
- Tribit Xsound Surf vs Sony ULT Field 1
- Tribit Xsound Surf vs LG Xboom Grab
- Tribit Xsound Surf vs JBL Grip
- Tribit Xsound Surf vs Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3
- Tribit Xsound Surf vs Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4
- See all 27 comparisons