Short answer: the Tribit Stormbox Flow. It ranks #49 of 135 medium speakers by sound quality at $60; the Sony XB33 ranks #59 and costs $110, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Tribit Stormbox Flow offers: Up to 30 hours of battery life - roughly double most rivals (~20-24 hrs with XBass on). Watch for: Not stereo.
What the Sony XB33 offers: IP67 rated and lightweight (2.4 lb). Watch for: Not very loud.
Buy the Tribit Stormbox Flow. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Sony XB33 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
Specifications Side By Side
| Tribit Stormbox Flow | Sony XB33 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $60 | $110 |
| Ranked | #49 of 135 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #59 of 135 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes (Sony Music Connect App) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 47Hz | 50Hz |
| Battery Life | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes | Yes (3 band) |
| Bluetooth Latency | 400ms aac, 200ms sbc | 110ms |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Weight | 1.4 lbs / 657 g | 2.4 lbs / 1.1 kg |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.0 |
| Dimensions | 7.9" x 3.6" x 2.1" (200 x 91 x 53 mm) | 9.7" x 3.8" x 4.2" (246 x 97 x 106 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Output Power | 25W | 16W RMS |
| Drivers | 60W: 2x 30mm drivers + passive radiators | 2x 48x70mm X-Balanced racetrack drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IP67 |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | - | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Max Volume | - | 97dB |
| Party Mode | - | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | - | Yes (USB-A) |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Tribit Stormbox Flow: $60 Amazon
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.
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 →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 47Hz |
| Battery Life | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| 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 |
| Output Power | 25W |
| Stereo | No |
| Weight | 1.4 lbs / 657 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tribit Stormbox Flow has deeper bass than the Bose Flex but………..
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tribit Stormbox Flow firmware update 1.2.3 game changing moment in portable bluetooth history!
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tribit Stormbox Flow firmware update 1.2.5 - stuff gets fixed ✔
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Tribit Stormbox Flow vs XSound Mega - Sound Comparison, Stock EQ, Both Mono Sound 😶🌫️ A Family Feud
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Tribit Stormbox Flow vs Soundcore Motion 300 (LDAC) 😵 Budget Bose Soundlink Flex “Inspired” Speakers
- Oluv Patreon: Tribit Stormbox Flow - after firmware update
- Oluv Patreon: Tribit Stormbox Flow - sound demo
- Reddit Search for Tribit Stormbox Flow Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Tribit Stormbox Flow vs JBL Charge 4
- Tribit Stormbox Flow vs Bose Soundlink Flex
- Tribit Stormbox Flow vs JBL Charge 5
- Tribit Stormbox Flow vs Tribit Maxsound Plus V1/V2/Thunderbox Plus
- Tribit Stormbox Flow vs Xiaomi Sound Party
- Tribit Stormbox Flow vs Ultimate Ears Boom 3
- Tribit Stormbox Flow vs B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen
- Tribit Stormbox Flow vs Minirig 3
- See all 9 comparisons
Sony XB33: $110
Pros: IP67 rated and lightweight (2.4 lb). App-controlled color LED lighting, Party Connect links up to 100 speakers. ~19 hour real-world battery without lights.
Cons: Not very loud. Upper bass peaks, midrange dip, upper midrange peaks, not very neutral. Speaker will not remain at max volume and will turn itself down automatically.
Full Sony XB33 review and specifications →
| App | Yes (Sony Music Connect App) |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 110ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 9.7" x 3.8" x 4.2" (246 x 97 x 106 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 48x70mm X-Balanced racetrack drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (3 band) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Max Volume | 97dB |
| Output Power | 16W RMS |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Weight | 2.4 lbs / 1.1 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: Sony xb33 vs xb43 vs Soundcore Motion Plus speakers test
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Charge 5 vs Motion Plus and Sony XB33 - ultimate travel speaker 2021 🤗
- GYMCADDY: Sony XE300 Review And Compared to Sony XB33 - A Muffled Mess
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tribit Xsound Mega vs the world! (JBL Charge 5, Bose Flex, Sony XB33, LG PL7) 👍
- Alan Ross Reviews: Sony XB33 vs XB32 vs JBL Charge 4 best £120 bluetooth speaker?
- Alan Ross Reviews: LG Xboom Go PL7 vs JBL Charge 4 and Sony XB33 - best Bluetooth speaker?
- Reddit Search for Sony XB33 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons