Short answer: the Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 ranks #22 of 73 boombox speakers by sound quality at $300; the JBL Authentics 300 ranks #30 at $299.95. Close enough in price that the sound-quality gap is the deciding factor.
The Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 earns points for: Pretty deep bass. But: it sounds quite muddy from boosted lower and upper bass, has boosted treble around 6kHz that gets even muddier with Xbass mode on, and is nowhere near as neutral or balanced as the original Blast, a big downgrade unless max volume is the only priority.
What the JBL Authentics 300 gets right: It integrates both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant simultaneously, which is rare for smart speakers, pairs a retro seventies design with leather and a Quadrex grille, packs a 100-watt amp, carries well thanks to a leather-trimmed handle, and has a rechargeable battery rated around 8 hours. Set against that: it sounds narrow with bass that doesn’t go as deep as others, has peaky upper mids, lacks TWS support and any IP rating, isn’t as loud as others, and doesn’t offer much battery life.
Buy the Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the JBL Authentics 300 if the price matters more than sound quality.
If battery life is a priority, the Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 is rated for 30 hours versus 8 hours for the JBL Authentics 300.
If water resistance matters to you, the Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 at IP67 (brief submersion) holds up far better than the JBL Authentics 300 at no water resistance.
Specifications Side By Side
| Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 | JBL Authentics 300 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $300 | $299.95 |
| Ranked | #22 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #30 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 40Hz | 45Hz |
| Battery Life | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | None |
| Max Volume | 110dB | 100dB |
| Microphone Input | Yes (2x 6.35mm) | - |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) | No |
| Power Input | AC Power Cable or 10w USB-C | AC Power cable |
| Stereo | Yes | Partially (1 woofer) |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 19.2 lbs / 8.7 kg | 10.8 lbs / 4.9 kg |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | No | Yes |
| App | No | Yes |
| EQ | Yes (10 band) | Yes (App EQ) |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (JBL One) |
| USB Playback | No | Yes |
| FM Tuner | No | - |
| MicroSD Playback | No | No |
| Output Power | 200W AC / 180W battery | 100W |
| Dimensions | 18.7" x 7.6" x 10.2" (476 x 193 x 259 mm) | 13.5" x 7.7" x 7.1" (342 x 195.6 x 180.3 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x ~180x110mm rectangular subwoofer + 2x ~80mm mid drivers + 2x ~25mm tweeters | 1" tweeter + 4" woofer + passive radiators |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Wifi | - | Yes |
The Two Speakers In Full
Tribit Stormbox Blast 2: $300 Amazon
Pros: Pretty deep bass.
Cons: Sounds quite muddy with the boosted lower and upper bass. Boosted treble around 6khz. Xbass mode makes it sound even more muddy. Nowhere near as neutral and balanced as the first Blast and a big downgrade unless you only care about max volume
Setup: Try the EQ from Alan Ross at this timestamp of his video
Full Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 40Hz |
| Battery Life | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 18.7" x 7.6" x 10.2" (476 x 193 x 259 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x ~180x110mm rectangular subwoofer + 2x ~80mm mid drivers + 2x ~25mm tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (10 band) |
| FM Tuner | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Max Volume | 110dB |
| MicroSD Playback | No |
| Microphone Input | Yes (2x 6.35mm) |
| Output Power | 200W AC / 180W battery |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | AC Power Cable or 10w USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 19.2 lbs / 8.7 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 - outdoor sound test
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 - indoor sound test
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 vs 2 Earfun UBoom X - outdoor test
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 custom EQ best settings! Alan Ross!
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 firmware V11 update - earthquake warning!
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 review - fun fun fun! sometimes 😊
- Mateusz Cholewa: Soundcore Rave 3 🤗v🆚s Tribit Stormbox Blast 2👌🎶
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 😳 First Look, EQ and Light Modes Demo 🚨
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 vs JBL Boombox 3 🔊 Got Bass? Let’s See How They Compare 😲 Battery Powered 🔋
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 vs Blast 😲 A Family Feud 🚗 Tailgater Special 🔋 Battery Powered 🎶 Old vs New
- Jagist reviews: Zealot Ze21 Vs Tribit Stormbox Blast 2!!!
- Jagist reviews: Zealot S95 Vs Tribit Stormbox Blast 2!!!
- Reddit Search for Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 vs JBL Boombox 3
- Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 vs LG Xboom Stage 301
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JBL Authentics 300: $299.95 Amazon
Pros: Integrates both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant simultaneously (rare for smart speakers). Retro seventies design with leather and Quadrex grille. 100-watt amp, carries well with leather-trimmed handle. Rechargeable battery rated ~8 hours.
Cons: Narrow sounding, bass not as deep as others. Peaky upper mids. No TWS. No IP rating. Not as loud as others. Not much battery life.
Full JBL Authentics 300 review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 45Hz |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 13.5" x 7.7" x 7.1" (342 x 195.6 x 180.3 mm) |
| Drivers | 1" tweeter + 4" woofer + passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) |
| IP Rating | None |
| Max Volume | 100dB |
| MicroSD Playback | No |
| Output Power | 100W |
| Party Mode | Yes (JBL One) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | AC Power cable |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 10.8 lbs / 4.9 kg |
| Wifi | Yes |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: JBL Authentics 300 - sound quality test
- Oluv Patreon: JBL Authentics 300 - update
- Oluv Patreon: JBL Authentics 300 - listening session
- Alan Ross Reviews: Not quite! JBL Authentics 300 review and sound test vs Boombox 3, Encore and Stormbox Blast
- Reddit Search for JBL Authentics 300 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons