Short answer: the Tribit Stormbox Flow. It ranks #62 of 175 medium speakers by sound quality (rated 3.5/5) at $79.99 and is still sold new; the Sony XB23 ranks #84 (rated 3.3/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used. The Sony XB23’s replacement, the Sony ULT Field 1, is rated 3.1/5 at $138.
The Tribit Stormbox Flow is the deeper-bass, longer-running choice. Up to 30 hours of battery life: roughly double most rivals (~20-24 hrs with XBass on). Its bass reaches about 47Hz before falling 10dB, against 67Hz for the Sony XB23. It is rated for 30 hours of battery against 12 for the Sony XB23. It is rated IPX7 against IPX4 for the Sony XB23. The catch: Midrange and bass are weirdly recessed about 4db below 700Hz.
Why pick the Sony XB23: Reasonably neutral. It supports LDAC Bluetooth, which the Tribit Stormbox Flow lacks. It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the Tribit Stormbox Flow. The catch: Bass drops off a ton at high levels.
Buy the Tribit Stormbox Flow. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the Sony XB23 is discontinued, so it is only available used.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Tribit Stormbox Flow | Sony XB23 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $79.99 | $100 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #62 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #84 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes (Sony Music Center) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 47Hz | 67Hz |
| Battery Life | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes | Yes (3-band: bass, mid, treble) |
| Bluetooth Latency | 400ms aac, 200ms sbc | - |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | No |
| Weight | 1.4 lbs (657 g) | 1.3 lbs (580 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.0 |
| Dimensions | 7.9” x 3.6” x 2.1” (200 x 91 x 53 mm) | 3” x 8.6” x 3” (76 x 218 x 76 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Amplifier Power | 25W | 8W RMS |
| Drivers | 60W: 2x 30mm drivers + passive radiators | 2x 42x51mm X-Balanced racetrack drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX4 |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Maximum SPL | - | 95dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Party Mode | - | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Built-in Microphone | - | Yes |
| Strap | - | Yes (detachable strap) |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 12, 2026 at 4:13 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Tribit Stormbox Flow: $79.99 Tribit $79.99 eBay
Same family: the Tribit Stormbox Micro 2 (smaller model, rated 4.5/5), the Tribit Stormbox Pro (larger model, ranked higher, rated 3.7/5) and the Tribit Stormbox Blast (larger model, rated 4.5/5). See every Tribit Stormbox generation.
Pros: Up to 30 hours of battery life: roughly double most rivals (~20-24 hrs with XBass on). IP67 rated with a loose handle for carrying/hanging. Pairs with a second Flow for stereo; USB-C port charges your phone too. Measured bass extension of 47Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Not stereo. Midrange and bass are weirdly recessed about 4db below 700Hz. You need xbass mode for it to not sound like a clock radio with missing bass. You also can’t turn up the bass enough in the custom EQ modes to get it neutral, so it will sound bass light. Firmware 1.2.3 fixes the distortion issues with xbass mode on, but bass still sounds wobbly and uncontrolled.
Full Tribit Stormbox Flow review and specifications →
| Released | Oct 2023 (3 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 25W |
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 47Hz |
| Battery Life | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 400ms aac, 200ms sbc |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.9” x 3.6” x 2.1” (200 x 91 x 53 mm) |
| Drivers | 60W: 2x 30mm drivers + passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.4 lbs (657 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Oluv Patreon: Tribit Stormbox Flow - after firmware update More from Oluv’Sone →
- Oluv Patreon: Tribit Stormbox Flow - sound demo
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tribit Stormbox Flow firmware update 1.2.3 game changing moment in portable bluetooth history! More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tribit Stormbox Flow firmware update 1.2.5 - stuff gets fixed ✔
- Alan Ross - The Anti Shill!: DBSONO X-Blast F37 vs Tribit StormBox Flow - Cheap But Cheerful? 🙈
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tribit Stormbox Flow has deeper bass than the Bose Flex but………..
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Tribit Stormbox Flow vs XSound Mega - Sound Comparison, Stock EQ, Both Mono Sound 😶🌫️ A Family Feud More from JaysStraightUpReviews →
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Tribit Stormbox Flow vs Soundcore Motion 300 (LDAC) 😵 Budget Bose Soundlink Flex "Inspired" Speakers
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Tribit Stormbox Flow vs JBL Charge 4
- Tribit Stormbox Flow vs Bose Soundlink Revolve
- Tribit Stormbox Flow vs Sonos Play
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- Tribit Stormbox Flow vs Huawei Sound Joy 2
- Tribit Stormbox Flow vs Tronsmart T8
- Tribit Stormbox Flow vs Soundcore 3
- Tribit Stormbox Flow vs Bose Soundlink Revolve+
- See all 90 comparisons
Sony XB23: $100 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Sony ULT Field 1, ranked lower, rated 3.1/5, released Apr 2024.
Older models: the Sony SRS-XB20 (ranked lower, rated 2.8/5) and the Sony SRS-XB21 (ranked lower, rated 2.7/5). See every Sony XB and ULT generation.
Pros: Reasonably neutral. IP67 rated with a strap hook for backpacks. USB-C charging; up to 12 hour battery life. Measured bass extension of 67Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Bass drops off a ton at high levels. Reduces its own volume over time when turned to max. Discontinued.
Full Sony XB23 review and specifications →
| Released | May 2020 (6 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 8W RMS |
| App | Yes (Sony Music Center) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 67Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 3” x 8.6” x 3” (76 x 218 x 76 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 42x51mm X-Balanced racetrack drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (3-band: bass, mid, treble) |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Maximum SPL | 95dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | Yes (detachable strap) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs (580 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: Huawei Sound Joy vs Sony xb23 - worse or worser? 🤭 More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: Sony XB23 vs XB33 - specs and measurements
- Alan Ross Reviews: Sony XB23 vs JBL Flip 5 v Tribit Maxsound Plus
- GYMCADDY: Sony XE200 Review And Compared to Sony XB23 - It Got The XE300 Treatment More from GYMCADDY →
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