Short answer: the Tribit Stormbox Micro. It ranks #5 of 47 small speakers by sound quality at $40; the Marshall Willen II ranks #11 and costs $89.99, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The case for the Tribit Stormbox Micro: Quite neutral. The tradeoff: Gets murky and slightly sharp near max volume; boosted bass distorts when pushed loud.
What the Marshall Willen II gets right: More balanced than the first Willen, no sharp treble. The catch: Not that deep of bass.
Buy the Tribit Stormbox Micro. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Marshall Willen II and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If battery life is a priority, the Marshall Willen II is rated for 17 hours versus 8 hours for the Tribit Stormbox Micro.
Specifications Side By Side
| Tribit Stormbox Micro | Marshall Willen II | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $40 | $89.99 |
| Ranked | #5 of 47 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #11 of 47 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 62Hz | 70Hz |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 17 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | No | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 180ms | - |
| Max Volume | 93dB | - |
| Party Mode | No | No |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | No |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Weight | 0.7 lbs / 295 g | 0.8 lbs / 360 g |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Output Power | 13W | 10W |
| Drivers | 48mm NdFeB | 2" (51mm) full-range with dual passive radiators |
| Dimensions | 3.9" x 3.9" x 1.4" (99.1 x 99.1 x 35.6 mm) | 3.9" x 1.7" x 3.9" (99 x 43 x 99 mm) |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.3 |
| Frequency Response | - | 75Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Charging Time | - | 2.5 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.
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- Tribit Stormbox Micro vs Soundcore Mini 3
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Marshall Willen II: $89.99 Amazon
Pros: More balanced than the first Willen, no sharp treble
Cons: Not that deep of bass. Fairly low max output vs pricier speakers; midrange can sound a bit congested at volume. No aux input.
Full Marshall Willen II review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 70Hz |
| Battery Life | 17 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Charging Time | 2.5 hours |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 3.9" x 1.7" x 3.9" (99 x 43 x 99 mm) |
| Drivers | 2" (51mm) full-range with dual passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 75Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 10W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs / 360 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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