Short answer: the Tribit Stormbox Lava. It ranks #3 of 105 large speakers by sound quality (rated 4.6/5) at $119.99 and is still sold new; the Sony SRS-XB43 ranks #56 (rated 3.5/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used. The Sony SRS-XB43’s replacement, the Sony ULT Field 5, is rated 3.5/5 at $348.
The Tribit Stormbox Lava is the better-sounding, deeper-bass pick. A powerful, IP67-rated portable speaker with a measured 44Hz -10dB bass point, 10-band app EQ, aux input and 24-hour claimed battery life. Its bass reaches about 44Hz before falling 10dB, against 53Hz for the Sony SRS-XB43. Alan Ross Reviews measured it at 108dB at full volume, against 99dB for the Sony SRS-XB43. The catch: XBass can make the low end muddy and obscure vocals, while the deepest notes lose authority and clarity falls at maximum volume.
The case for the Sony SRS-XB43: Full, warm sound with deep, rich bass. It supports LDAC Bluetooth, which the Tribit Stormbox Lava lacks. It links with other speakers (Party Connect up to 100 speakers), which the Tribit Stormbox Lava cannot. Watch for: Not as loud as others in the category.
Buy the Tribit Stormbox Lava. It is rated higher for sound quality; the Sony SRS-XB43 is no longer sold new.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Tribit Stormbox Lava | Sony SRS-XB43 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $119.99 | $150 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #3 of 105 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #56 of 105 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes (Sony Music Center App) |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 20ms | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 44Hz | 53Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 128ms AAC, 144ms SBC | 85ms |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | Yes (10 band) | Yes (3 band) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Maximum SPL | 108dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) | Yes (USB-A, 5V/1A) |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 5.2 lbs (2.37 kg) | 6.5 lbs (2.95 kg) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.0 |
| Dimensions | 12.2” x 5.8” x 6” (310 x 147 x 152 mm) | 12.8” x 4.8” x 4.6” (325 x 123 x 117 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 70mm woofers, 2x 30mm tweeters | 63mm woofer + 12.5mm tweeter + passive radiators |
| Frequency Response | 43Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Amplifier Power | 80W | 32W RMS |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | Yes (detachable shoulder strap) | - |
| Lights | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Tribit Stormbox Lava:
- Tribit Stormbox Lava vs Vifa Helsinki
- JBL Xtreme 5 vs Tribit Stormbox Lava
- Brane X vs Tribit Stormbox Lava
- Minirig 4 with subwoofer vs Tribit Stormbox Lava
- Tribit Stormbox Lava vs Minirig 3 with subwoofer
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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Speakers In Full
Tribit Stormbox Lava: $119.99 Amazon $119.99 Lowest AliExpress $180.61 eBay
Pros: A powerful, IP67-rated portable speaker with a measured 44Hz -10dB bass point, 10-band app EQ, aux input and 24-hour claimed battery life. Independent reviews find that it gets loud with impactful bass, and careful EQ or current firmware can produce relatively clean sound through the mids and highs. Measured bass extension of 44Hz (-10dB).
Cons: XBass can make the low end muddy and obscure vocals, while the deepest notes lose authority and clarity falls at maximum volume. It is heavy for its size, its front-facing design has a narrow soundstage, and one review noted a brief sound interruption while changing volume.
Setup: Update the firmware to version 2 or later first, since version 2 was a big step up in sound quality. Then try out the Alan Ross EQ’s at this timestamp in his video. There’s also a max bass EQ from Oluv and you can turn down the lowest slider for it to be more neutral.
Full Tribit Stormbox Lava review and specifications →
| Released | Mar 2025 (1 year ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 80W |
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 20ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 44Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 128ms AAC, 144ms SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 12.2” x 5.8” x 6” (310 x 147 x 152 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 70mm woofers, 2x 30mm tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (10 band) |
| Frequency Response | 43Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Maximum SPL | 108dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | Yes (detachable shoulder strap) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 5.2 lbs (2.37 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- JOY‘s 3D Audio Show: Tribit StormBox Lava vs SoundCore Boom 2 - sound quality demo More from Oluv’Sone →
- Oluv Patreon: Tribit Stormbox Lava - quick look
- Oluv Patreon: An evening with the “best portable speakers”?
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tribit Stormbox Lava Latest Firmware Update Result! v2.0.3 More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: From harsh to smooth with these EQ settings - Tribit StormBox Lava
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tribit StormBox Lava Just Got a MASSIVE Update… WOW! 🔥
- Alan Ross Reviews: Some people love the Tribit Stormbox Lava, highly professional review 😁
- Mateusz Cholewa: Tribit Stormbox Blast 🎶 🆚Deep BASS - Tribit Stormbox LAVA More from Mateusz Cholewa →
- Mateusz Cholewa: TRIBIT StormBox LAVA vs EarFun UBOOM X
- Mateusz Cholewa: TRIBIT StormBox LAVA vs Soundcore BOOM 2
- Mateusz Cholewa: TRIBIT StormBox LAVA Deep BASS 🆚 JBL XTREME 4
- Mateusz Cholewa: 👌TRIBIT StormBox LAVA Deep Bass 🆚 Bogasing S8 Pro MAX - HiFi?
- Mateusz Cholewa: Marshall Kilburn 3 Deep Bass vs Tribit Stormbox Lava Deep Bass
- Mateusz Cholewa: TRIBIT StormBox LAVA - Unboxing.📦 Short Test vs Xtreme 4
- Jagist reviews: Tronsmart Bang 2 Firmware Updated Vs Updated Tribit Stormbox Lava!!! More from Jagistreviews →
- Jagist reviews: Tribit Stormbox Lava vs Tronsmart Bang 2!!!
- Jagist reviews: W-king H330 Vs Tribit Stormbox Lava!!!
- BT Sound Lab: Tribit StormBox Lava vs Tronsmart Bang 2
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Tribit Stormbox Lava vs JBL Xtreme 5
- Tribit Stormbox Lava vs Brane X
- Tribit Stormbox Lava vs Minirig 4 with subwoofer
- Tribit Stormbox Lava vs Vifa Helsinki
- Tribit Stormbox Lava vs Minirig 3 with subwoofer
- Tribit Stormbox Lava vs Vifa Oslo
- Tribit Stormbox Lava vs Soundcore Boom 2
- Tribit Stormbox Lava vs Marshall Stockwell II
- See all 86 comparisons
Sony SRS-XB43: $150 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Sony ULT Field 5, ranked higher, rated 3.5/5, released Apr 2025. See every Sony XB and ULT generation.
Pros: Full, warm sound with deep, rich bass. Twin passive radiators deliver Extra Bass impact. IPX7 waterproof and rugged. Up to 24 hour battery (14 hours with lights on). Party lights for visual appeal. Measured bass extension of 53Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Not as loud as others in the category. Speaker will not remain at max volume and will turn itself down automatically. Discontinued.
Setup: Try out +3 +6 +3 as an EQ to get it as flat as possible as mentioned in the Alan Ross video
Full Sony SRS-XB43 review and specifications →
| Released | May 2020 (6 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 32W RMS |
| App | Yes (Sony Music Center App) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 85ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 12.8” x 4.8” x 4.6” (325 x 123 x 117 mm) |
| Drivers | 63mm woofer + 12.5mm tweeter + passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (3 band) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Maximum SPL | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/1A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 6.5 lbs (2.95 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Xtreme 3 vs Sony XB43 - boombox champ? More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Charge 5 vs Motion Boom vs Sony XB43 - a step to far? 🤪
- Alan Ross Reviews: Sony xb33 vs xb43 vs Soundcore Motion Plus speakers test
- Alan Ross Reviews: Sony xb43 JBL Xtreme 2 W-King d8 Dockin D Fine
- DLX Willington: Who Sounds The Best Of Sony XG300, XB43 & JBL XTREME3 With Sound Sample BLIND CHALLENGE Reveal. More from DLXWillington →
- GYMCADDY: Sony XG300 Review & Compared To Sony XB43 More from GYMCADDY →
- Sonido Pesado: Reacciono al sonido, tronsmart FORCE MAX vs SONY XB 43
- Head-to-Head Comparisons