Short answer: the Tribit Stormbox Micro. It ranks #5 of 47 small speakers by sound quality at $40; the Bose Soundlink Micro 2 ranks #18 and costs $99, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Tribit Stormbox Micro offers: Quite neutral. Slight hollowness in the mids. Built in strap is super useful for attaching it to things. Watch for: Gets murky and slightly sharp near max volume; boosted bass distorts when pushed loud.
On the Bose Soundlink Micro 2 side: IP67 rated, survives a 1m dunk for 30 minutes. Compact fabric strap for clipping to bags/bikes - replaces the 1st-gen’s hook clip, which was prone to breaking. The tradeoff: Lack of clarity. Overly boosted bass that causes some thudding, and can overdrive/distort at higher volumes - worse in this regard than the 1st-gen model.
Buy the Tribit Stormbox Micro. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Bose Soundlink Micro 2 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
Specifications Side By Side
| Tribit Stormbox Micro | Bose Soundlink Micro 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $40 | $99.00 |
| Ranked | #5 of 47 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #18 of 47 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 62Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | AAC, aptX, SBC |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | No |
| EQ | No | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 180ms | - |
| Max Volume | 93dB | - |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (Bose Party mode) |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | Pointing up |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 0.7 lbs / 295 g | 0.7 lbs / 329 g |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Output Power | 13W | Specs not published by manufacturer |
| Drivers | 48mm NdFeB | 40mm full-range driver with passive radiator |
| Dimensions | 3.9" x 3.9" x 1.4" (99.1 x 99.1 x 35.6 mm) | 4.1" x 4.1" x 1.7" (104 x 104 x 43 mm) |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.4 |
| Charging Time | - | 3 hours |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Tribit Stormbox Micro: $40 Amazon
Pros: Quite neutral. Slight hollowness in the mids. Built in strap is super useful for attaching it to things. Highly recommend spending the extra $10 for the Micro 2 which goes louder and deeper. To have it aimed directly at you unclip the strap and the speaker will sit upright with a slight lean back.
Cons: Gets murky and slightly sharp near max volume; boosted bass distorts when pushed loud. Down-firing passive radiator needs a flat surface underneath or the bass gets muffled.
Full Tribit Stormbox Micro review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 62Hz |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 180ms |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 3.9" x 3.9" x 1.4" (99.1 x 99.1 x 35.6 mm) |
| Drivers | 48mm NdFeB |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Max Volume | 93dB |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Output Power | 13W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 0.7 lbs / 295 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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Bose Soundlink Micro 2: $99.00 Amazon
Pros: IP67 rated, survives a 1m dunk for 30 minutes. Compact fabric strap for clipping to bags/bikes - replaces the 1st-gen’s hook clip, which was prone to breaking. USB-C charging. Surprisingly good bass when mounted outdoors, like on a bike.
Cons: Lack of clarity. Overly boosted bass that causes some thudding, and can overdrive/distort at higher volumes - worse in this regard than the 1st-gen model. Overly boosted treble, turn down bass and treble in the EQ. Falls clearly behind the Tribit Stormbox Micro 2 on bass depth, cleanliness, and loudness.
Full Bose Soundlink Micro 2 review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, aptX, SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Charging Time | 3 hours |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 4.1" x 4.1" x 1.7" (104 x 104 x 43 mm) |
| Drivers | 40mm full-range driver with passive radiator |
| EQ | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Output Power | Specs not published by manufacturer |
| Party Mode | Yes (Bose Party mode) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 0.7 lbs / 329 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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